Preparing for your child’s first 1-on-1 tutoring lesson can be exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you get everything set up smoothly. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure your child is ready to make the most of their tutoring sessions.
What to Expect
Our lessons are highly interactive! Your child will be encouraged to show their work, revisit steps, and ask questions. We aim to ensure that students leave each lesson with a better understanding of the material than when they started. Whether it’s for homework help or advanced learning, we’re here to build confidence and challenge your child with more difficult material as they progress.
Preparing for the First Session
To ensure a productive first session, here are a few things you need to prepare:
1. Provide Sample Work
Before the first lesson, it’s helpful to share any sample work your child has done. This can include:
- Material they’re currently working on
- Recent grades
- Topics they find interesting or challenging
This will give the tutor a better understanding of your child’s needs and help tailor the lesson to your child’s needs right from the start. If your child needs help with test prep, math, or language arts, providing test results or taking a pre-assessment before the lesson can be beneficial. You can upload these materials to the folder in TutorCruncher or send them to us at support@tampabaytestprep.com. Check out our list of pre-assessments here.
2. Gather Essential Materials
Having the right tools at hand can make a big difference in helping the lesson to run smoothly. Here’s what we recommend:
- Notebook and paper
- iPad, touch screen device, or writing tablet (like the Wacom Intuos)
- Document camera and cell phone mount (optional but helpful)
- Good microphone or a quiet room for clear communication
- A stable internet connection to avoid disruptions
3. Prepare Your Workspace
Make sure your child has a comfortable and quiet place to study. A well-lit area free from distractions will help them focus better during the lesson.
4. Use the Lesson Link
All lessons are conducted online, and you’ll receive a link via Tutor Cruncher that will be used for every session. This makes it super easy to log in each time.
5. Get Comfortable with the Platform
We often use tools like Pencilspaces, Zoom, and interactive whiteboards like Bitpaper during lessons. These tools make learning fun and interactive, and the best part is that Bitpaper whiteboards are permanent. This means your child can revisit their notes anytime after the lesson to reinforce what they’ve learned.
6. Homework and Additional Practice
If your child enjoys extra practice, we’re happy to provide homework. They’ll also get free access to IXL for Math and Language Arts, which is a fantastic resource for improving their skills.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the first 1-on-1 lesson sets the stage for a successful tutoring experience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, our team is here to help. Let’s make this a rewarding and enriching journey for your child!
Welcome aboard—your adventure starts now!
