The Three Rs Tutoring

">Throughout my career as a primary school teacher, I have noticed a significant decline in the absence of "teaching children".

The word "teaching" has been replaced with "facilitating learning". But what "learning" are we facilitating?
It is believed we are "facilitating" children's learning through their own discovery. But how can children learn something without direction? Why should children wait days, months, years to "discover" something that they could have learnt earlier had they been shown?
How can children learn to read when they are not "taught" that the alphabet - "symbols" actually make more than one sound in a word.
Reading is complex. It isn't as easy as we think it is.

Reading is a necessary skill that many take for granted. We forget how we learnt. But what I do know is, that the way you and I learnt to read, is not how children are taught to read today.

We were "taught" to read. We were "taught" to sound out our words, but very few teachers today even know the correct phonetic sounds or phonemes our letters make up that form our written and spoken language.

There are too many programs on the market and flooding our schools that DO NOT teach correct phonemes. Spelling rules are rarely spoken about, let alone taught in today's classrooms.

The same can be said of Mathematics. Children today are rarely encouraged to recite their times tables. Reciting the times table in class is almost considered negligent of a teacher. Instead, children are bombarded with so many methods (foreign to parents) to solve a simple mathematics question and then assessed on their knowledge of each way.

Yes children learn differently - but it is wrong to expect them to KNOW each method and then fail them when they are unable to complete a mathematics question using the methods they do not understand - EVEN WHEN THE ANSWER IS CORRECT? It is not a safe and encouraging learning environment AT ALL!

With the increase use of technology and "facilitating learning" we have not only changed the style of the classroom but we have almost "thrown out the baby with the bathwater". We have forgotten that children still need to know the basics of the English language, the core concepts of Mathematics and the skills needed to "discover facts and make meaning of them in their own learning".

Our classes are taking on more of a "children's playground" environment rather than an "education setting" environment and at the same time, Australia's grading and world standing is declining significantly.

This concerns me greatly.

I am an educator and I am passionate about education. I am concerned about the decline in reading levels and the ability of children to comprehend texts and the world around them. I am concerned that children are not being taught to "think" for themselves but rather "discover" what might or might not be correct.

I am concerned that our lessons focus on "telling students" what the situation is or the outcome should be rather than teaching students to conduct the experiments or teaching students how to research facts beyond Google and Wikipedia and making an informed opinion or reaching an informed conclusion based on their own THOROUGH research.

So I decided to do something about it. I decided to leave the classroom and set up my own "tutoring program" that focuses on getting back to basics and opening the door for all children to succeed in a safe environment. It is a program suited to all children of all levels and all backgrounds.

I am an experienced ESL and a qualified Spalding teacher. These skills, combined with my ability to identify the needs of children and have the patience to help them succeed is what makes me the tutor for YOUR child. I WANT YOUR CHILD to SUCCEED.

I get no greater pleasure than watching a child develop and be able to read and comprehend confidently. Likewise, it gives me great pleasure when mathematics suddenly makes sense to children - watching their eyes light up as they "get it" and watching their confidence grow to be able to work independently.

The Three R's and getting "Back to Basics" is pivotal to the future learning success for any child. My emphasis on "back to basics" and education style may not suit you and that is fine. I am only responsible for the families that walk through my door and I can guarantee them I will do the best I can to have their children reading confidently and developing skills that will help them be as successful as they choose to be in the classroom. That is my personal guarantee to them.

My tutoring sessions are:
"School Readiness Program" - ages 4 to 5 in the year leading up to school. One hour weekly/school term program.
3 students per class.
Program focuses on Spalding and developing childrens' awareness of sounds (phonemic awareness), handwriting (necessary to develop fine motor skills) and basic number.
All materials provided and included in enrolment fee ($80).
$40 per child per weekly session

Primary School Tutoring: Kindy to Year 6
Students will be assessed on their learning needs and a consultation with parent(s) and student to assess their needs (as part of enrolment fee ($100)).
No more than 2 students per 1 hour session. $50 per student weekly session

Private 45 minute sessions available @ $60 per student.

High School Student tutoring available (Maths/History/English) - please contact me to discuss suitability.

I am also a qualified Adult Education teacher and can tutor adults in English, writing and assist in developing confidence for public speaking/interviews.
Please ask for more information.