Math Intervention Help: 1 On 1 Tutoring: Grades 9-12 (Summer Catchup Too!)

First, the student will take a Diagnostic test in IXL (free account given to students who are being tutored). Once I understand the strengths and weaknesses of the student,  can know how to help them catch up in Math.

I also want to know what Math curriculum the student is taking in school and how well they are doing in it. My goal is help the student do well in their current Math class while also going back to help them fix Math gaps revealed in their diagnostic test.

I will try to help a student by using alot of visuals to help them grasp the concepts of confusing topics like fractions. For fractions, I use visual fractions to help students struggling with fractions. I try to use as many visuals as possible to help a student understand different Math concepts.

I also want to understand the student's interests and tailor real-life Math with relates to their interests when I can. Real-life applications can really help students!

The student must understand that they must be willing to practice to catch up and then get ahead. It will take a commitment over some time.  If they put the practice in, they really can do it as I've seen with many students.

Some high school students need to revisit fractions and decimals. Some have learning gaps in Geometry with area, perimeter, and the Pythagorean Theorem.

Many high school students have struggles with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers which is so important before you can do Algebra and solve equations.

Students in 9-12 learn about functions, linear equations, factoring, quadratic equations, trigonometry, and pre-calculus. But students must always work at backfilling previous learning gaps as they move ahead with these new topics. I can help students both backfill and move ahead in their Math.

I like to structure the class with a warm-up that covers something important from the previous class. Then I ask the student how is Math going in class and see if they need help. Then I focus on a skill they need more practice in; maybe tying in a real-life application they can relate to. Then I end with a puzzle or game to finish up . I try to keep things light, fun, and productive. 

As far as homework, I believe in quality over quantity. So I may assign a problem or two between sessions.

I like to have students interacting as much as possible by writing on the white board or labeling a diagram or by chatting. I will also ask students to explain their reasoning as this helps them to understand the Math at a higher level.