I offer a variety of services. listed below.
I will be glad to discuss various options with parents and students
in order to achieve what is desired. I do not tutor reading and
writing.
SAT, PSAT and ACT exam preparation
One or the other of these exams are required for entrance to
most reputable universities. All of these exams are similar in the
questions they ask but are graded slightly differently and the
number of questions vary.
There
are numerous books at the bookstore that have these diagnostic
exams and explanations of the various problems.
Some people, with discipline, can use one the the study guides to
prepare for these exams, others can not. I am here to help those
that can not.
The preparation for a SAT, PSAT or ACT exam should start with a
diagnostic exam to determine where the student needs help. The
exam is then analyzed to determine where the student needs the
most help.
Following the exam, the student is taken through a review of
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and very basic trigonometry with
a focus on the weak areas exposed by the exam.
Finally, I will teach a few test taking techniques that
will be helpful.
The complete SAT preparation will take five two-hour
sessions.
The Texas Education Agency has developed learning standards for
students at various grade levels. As a student passes from one
grade to another, these tests are taken to insure the student is
prepared for the next level. In math in particular, it is very
important for a student to thoroughly know one math skill
before trying to learn another because a new skill is based on
the old skills. If a student does not learn a skill properly,
then they will have trouble with all subsequent skills.
Students do not fail any TAKS test except for the exit exam. The exit
exam must be passed for the student to receive a diploma, even
though they have completed the high school requirements for
graduation.
At the early grade levels, the TAKS tests are used to determine
what level of class the student will be placed in the following
year. For example, if a student scores low on the 9th grade TAKS,
then they might be placed in a "double blocked" math class the
next year. This means the student might have to go to geometry
class five days a week rather than three days a week.
My approach to studying for the TAKS test is similar to studying
for the SAT and ACT exams. The student takes a TAKS test that
was used in a previous year to determine where there are deficiencies. Then I can either quickly explain how to work the missed
problems, or do a more comprehensive review of the math they
should have learned up to the point where the TAKS was given.
When a student does poorly on
a TAKS exam, this is a strong indication that some help is
needed. Without some corrective action, the student will
probably continue to do poorly on future exams.
Homework support
Homework support is exactly what it says. I help the student
with any math homework that they have. No effort is
taken to fill in gaps that should have been learned previously.
I will help the student learn how to work the homework
problems, but I will not work the students assigned
problems for them.
General tutoring
In general tutoring, I expect to meet with the student at least
once a week to determine where the student is having problems in
class. I will attempt to keep the student caught up with
his class and in some cases teach the student skills that will
be introduced in class in the future.
General tutoring is probably the best method to insure the
student learns all the skills necessary and should be started
before the student gets into trouble.
Chemistry and Physics tutoring
Much of Chemistry and Physics is reading and remembering the material in the
textbook. However, there are many
problems and concepts in Physics and Chemistry that use math
extensively. I am able to help the student work and
discuss these types of math oriented problems. If I am tutoring
a student in math, I will also be able to help explain most of
the Chemistry and Physics problems.
