Planning Sessions

To plan an effective 30-minute session a tutor must have good time management. Knowing how much time you will have with a student is crucial.

Here is a helpful outline of one way tutors can outline their sessions.

·      Opening: (2 min.) What does the student need help with? Do they have all the needed materials? For example, a prompt, a book, etc.

·      Objective: (3 min.) Distinguish what your end goal will be. What do you want accomplished by the end of the session? Plan out what you and the student will do for the next 25 minutes.

·    Activity: (20 min.) Recommend a helpful learning strategy, demonstrate the learning strategy, and apply it to what the student needs assistance with. Plan a few activities that will focus on the main topic. Make sure that these tasks are engaging and meaningful.

·      Closing: (5 min.) Wrap up main ideas and thoughts. Reflect on what has been accomplished during the session. Has the end goal been met? Does the student need to make a follow up appointment?

·    Review: Critique your own session. Which learning activities were successful, and which ones were not. Review your session and write down helpful tips that will make your sessions even more successful.

Works Cited:

Lipsky, Sally A. A Training Guide for College Tutors and Peer Educators. Pearson, 2011. Print.