Homework Help Today – A Tutoring Blog for Students and Tutors Where Students and Tutors can help each other out!

Many high school students have a difficult experience with their first classic literature assignment. The archaic prose of works by Dickens, Melville and Shakespeare can prove difficult to understand and seem like a whole other language. So how do we break the barriers between literature and learning? 

There are a variety of ways that we can increase comprehension when reading literature. Using these techniques increases the comprehension of a classic novel in a variety of students and can result in successful comprehension of the piece of literature.

One of the top ways to increase comprehension of literature in the classroom, and with tutoring tactics, is to compare the text with a modern day interpretation of the literature. Learning by comparison can be helpful. Comparing classic literature to modern situations can also help students. Often younger generations will be more adept to learn the themes of classics they are able to identify with. If the tutor is able to provide some mirroring within the classic to modern day situations, the student is more likely to learn the information.

Providing a translation for texts written in poetry can also prove helpful. Since poetry is a language all its own, especially with Victorian authors such as Byron, Keats and Shelley, providing a text with a contemporary translation under or opposite of each line in the poem increases comprehension for the student.

Using textual clues such as descriptive words to gain the feeling of the literature can improve comprehension greatly. These identifier words can create recognition of one word, which can lead to the comprehension of one phrase, which can lead to the comprehension of the whole page.

These are just some techniques a good tutor can employ to help their student’s grasp of reading comprehension with classic literature; find a tutor near you to learn more!

Resources for Classic Literature

• Classics at the Online Literature Library
• Classic Lit authors from A to Z
• SparkNotes and Study Guides on Classic Literature
• Free Classic Literature in the Public Domain from the Classic Literature Library
• GradeSaver Classic Notes on Lit Classics
• Free Online Literature and Study Guides

Posted under Reading, Reading Comprehension, Tutoring

Here’s a great video I found focusing on an adult literacy tutor in Rensselaer County, New York.  This volunteer tutor discusses why he started volunteering his tutoring services for adults in need of literacy education.  He’s truly a nice guy who saw a need and decided to donate his time and skill to help out illiterate adults.  A very noble cause – not only kids need tutoring, sometimes adults need tutoring in reading also!

This video is from the tutor’s perspective, there’s also another video from the student’s point of view.

Posted under Literacy, Reading, Tutoring

Learning English as a second language can be difficult to learn in a formal setting. Informal settings release the pressure from the learning environment and allow the student to feel at ease in the environment, therefore being able to absorb more.

English as a second language (ESL) tutoring sessions can range from basic exchange of conversation; these sessions can be arranged with two people wishing to benefit from learning the native language of the tutoring partner. It allows the two people to converse on a level of language that we use on a daily basis.

Informal tutoring sessions also create higher levels of reading comprehension through the use of everyday texts like: newspapers, magazines and letters and because these reading comprehension tools are being used, participants maintain an interest at the same time as learning the culture of the language.

Personal tutoring is referred to as face to face conversation. This has been proven to be the fastest and most effective way of learning a new language. The conversational tone also allows the speaker to learn phrases and slang that are not learned in a language classroom. These phrases are often avoided with the classroom, as they do not adhere to the basic language curriculum, but the phrases are necessary when traveling to another country.

There are two other additional concepts used in informal tutoring, these are: pen pal, or emailing and text, or voice chatting via the internet.  Although these additional methods can be helpful, the verbal cues provided in face to face information tutoring lead to learning English as a second language quicker and more effective.

Posted under ESL Tutoring

This past weekend I came across a great site called the Tutor/Mentor Connection.  They describe their mission as “dedicated to improving the availability and quality of comprehensive, long-term, volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs in high-poverty areas of the Chicago region and other large US cities through an ongoing, dynamic exchange of ideas.”  It seems to me it’s a pretty lofty and worthwhile goal.

For a while now I’ve been looking for a way for TutorMatch.com to work with a charitable organization and it seems like this one is a pretty good match, since it directly involves tutors.  I exchanged a few emails with Dan Bassill, the President of the Tutor/Mentor Connection, to discuss the possibilities of working together.

I had mentioned perhaps we could send a notice out to active tutors on TutorMatch asking if anyone was interested in volunteering their time as tutors, but he said what they need most at this time is donations, not just tutors.

According to Dan, “For there to be tutoring/mentoring in poverty areas we don’t just need tutors; we need donors who help pay the rent and other costs of making a tutor/mentor program available. This is what enables us to offer free services to our kids and families. If you can build the connection between those fortunate enough to be able to afford paid tutoring, then many of them might become the donors who also support tutoring for poor kids.”

So that got me to thinking, what if we donated a certain percentage of each TutorMatch Premium Subscription to the Tutor/Mentor Connection?  We don’t make a whole lot, but by giving back and making potential tutors aware of the donation perhaps we can increase tutor signups and help out the Tutor/Mentor Connection at the same time.  Even if we don’t, I think it’s just our resonsibility to help out community improvement programs like this one whenever we can. 

For anyone who is (or isn’t) involved with TutorMatch and would like to donate you can visit their donations page and help them out.  As they say, “if it is to be, it is up to me” … it’s up to you to make a difference!

Posted under Tutoring

If you’re interested in blogging as a guest blogger, please just drop us a line at support@tutormatch.com.  Since we’re just starting out we’re open to just about any suggestions related to homework help, tutoring, or teaching issues.  In exchange you can write about whatever you would like, and link back to your blog or service as well!

Posted under News

I just found this interesting educational video on Youtube which explains what seasons are, and why we have them.  The video goes into some pretty good detail talking about the effect of the sun as the earth rotates, as well as more advanced subjects such as equinoxes and solstices:

Educational videos like this one are certainly good for some homework help, but if you are really struggling in Geography you should probably consider hiring a professional Geography Tutor.  Whether you work with one online or find a tutor located near you who can provide in-person tutoring, you’ll find learning is a lot easier when you have someone helping you.

Posted under Geography Tutor

Math. Some people love it. Some people hate it. But if you want to survive middle school, you’ll need to find your way through it. Why is there such a clear difference between people who like math and those who don’t? There are theories floating around which say that some people are naturally predisposed to being good at math which makes them enjoy it.  I know there is a lot of truth to this. I personally love art and writing and have nightmares about trigonometry. Yet my brother loves calculus and has nightmares about going to a museum! But I think there is more to the story than just the way we were born. 

From my own experience, I know that I liked math better in sixth grade than I did in seventh. I was learning basic math in both cases. The only difference was that I had a great teacher in seventh grade (Mr. Williams) and not in sixth.  It’s amazing what a difference a teacher can make. Mr. Williams had a way of making math come alive. He would frequently point out how what we were learning applied to real life situations, such as how it might be used in business finance. One time he actually went around and asked each of us to tell him a profession we were thinking of going into when we graduated. He went through all of them one by and explained how you’ll need to know math to be your best at that field.

This brings me to the topic of math tutoring. I didn’t do too well in sixth grade math. What if I could have had someone like Mr. Williams helping me out after school in sixth grade? I have no doubt I would’ve seen a major improvement in my test scores and my self esteem.  That’s the power of a math tutor.

When you go looking for a math or algebra tutor, believe it or not, you don’t need the most knowledgeable mathematician in the world. What’s more important is their ability to adapt the way they teach to the way you learn.

You might like audio learning instead of visual learning. You might like business math examples instead of sports examples. The beauty of a good math tutor is they can get to know you personally and tailor their style to the exact way you learn best. It might be hard to believe, but effective math tutoring might just make something as treacherous as calculus fun!

Posted under Math Tutoring, Tutoring

Whether you realize it or not, over the past twenty years our society has undergone a complete transformation: our nation has become “computerized”.  Americans, on average, are spending more time in front the computer today than they ever have and the statistics indicate that this trend will only increase as we head forward. Laptops are the new notebook. Computers are now the device of choice for students taking exams at College and Graduate Schools. Once you have finished school you will be hard pressed to find a job that doesn’t require you work on a computer for hours each day.

All this brings into focus the importance of your typing skills. As more and more work is being done on the computer, employers are beginning to learn that a faster typist generally means a more productive worker. All things being equal, in a competition for employment, the faster typist will always get the job.

The reason for this is simple: quite often employers are paying their workers by the hour.  The faster typist can get two memos out in the time it might take you to do one. In the long run, slight differences in typing skills can make a huge difference to an employer’s bottom line. The important lesson from all this is that you can no longer afford to be a poor typist. That is why if you are still doing “hunt and peck” typing, it’s time to take a serious look at what you can do to improve your skills.

Even if you touch type, but you need to look down at the keys to avoid making mistakes, you are placing yourself at a distinct disadvantage to your competition when it comes to your future job search.  The need to look down at the keyboard may not seem like much to you, but experts point out that looking down at the keys breaks up the flow of thought you are trying to express. This causes you to stop, rethink what you are doing and start again.

Though you may not realize it, in the long run, this need to look down at the keys is costing you (and will cost your future employer) hours and hours of productivity.

All of the above points to the need to have an effective typing tutor. While a computerized typing tutor is one size fits all, a human typing tutor can find out immediately what are the specific problems that are keeping you from reaching your ideal typing speed. Within a few short sessions of typing tutoring you’ll improve faster than you ever thought possible, making your path to the ideal job that much easier.

Posted under Tutoring

Your child’s education is important. Use the summer months when school is out to help improve your child’s education, rather than give them a chance to fall further behind in their studies.

If your child has been struggling in school over the past year, summer is not the time to let him or her forget everything they learned. Many parents don’t capitalize on the summer months when school is out, but this is the best time to continue your child’s education with either personal, face-to-face tutoring, or an online tutor.

I would hate to suggest you curtail any kid’s highly anticipated summer vacation, so we’re not talking about summer school here. But if your child has been having a hard time in math, or english, or any subject over the past academic period, then summer is the best time to bolster their education and prepare them for the upcoming school year with a professional tutor.

There are some factors to consider when looking for the right tutor for your child:

1. Does your child have a short attention span? If so, then working with an online tutor may prove quite difficult. You might want to consider a more personal approach with a tutor located near you that can work with your child in person. Most tutors are very flexible, and will either come to your home, or meet with you and your child in the local public library.
2. Does your child have special needs? If so, you may not be able to find someone appropriately qualified close to your home. If this is the case, consider an online tutor. An online tutor can work with your child right at your home computer with you right next to them. Often online tutors will use email, chat rooms, digital whiteboards, or even voice internet phone services such as Skype, which will allow you to converse with them over your computer’s microphone without having to pay any long distance phone bills.
3. Is it difficult to schedule time for tutoring? If you’re busy, and are away from home working quite a bit, there are even some tutors who will offer themselves as babysitters. You may pay them to tutor your child for an hour or so, and then pay a decreased rate to have them babysit your child for the rest of the day.

Of course, whenever you are looking for someone to work with your children, make sure you research and interview them thoroughly.

So don’t let the summer go by without taking this opportunity to improve your child’s education. You’ll be thankful you did come September.

Tutor Match Tutoring and Homework Help, http://www.TutorMatch.com, is a free service which lets parents and students search for both online and personal, face-to-face tutors. You can find tutors for just about any subject, including (but not limited to) English and Reading, Math, Science, History, and Foreign Languages such as Spanish, French and German.

Tutor Match Tutoring and Homework Help is a free service which lets parents and students search for both online and personal, face-to-face tutors. You can find tutors for just about any subject, including (but not limited to) English and Reading, Math, Science, Social Sciences, and Foreign Languages.

Posted under Tutoring

Hi, my name is Diane Palumbo, and I am the new owner of the Homework Help Today blog.  I wanted to just write a quick note and say hello to everyone stopping by.  In the coming months I plan to manage this blog about everything related to my professional field, which is tutoring and teaching.  I’ve been working in the tutoring and professional mentoring field for about 10 years now, and have gained quite a bit of experience, so hopefully I can impart some of that to you!

This blog has basically 2 audiences: there are tips for people who want to become or already tutors, and there will be some tips for people looking for tutors.

In the interest of full disclosure; I will explain that I do work for TutorMatch.com, the premiere Tutoring and Homework Help website for Tutors.  If you’re interested in becoming a tutor, or if you want to find one near you or online, then TutorMatch is the place you want to go!

Posted under Tutoring