I believe in using inquiry based learning. That means, it is important for students to feel that they are in charge of their own learning. That will help them truly master a concept.

I would use games and questionnaires to help gain a better understanding of who the student is a to build a relationship with them. It is important for me to figure out what kind of learner the student is. It is also important for the student to feel comfortable with me.

I believe the key to helping a student become independent is to build their confidence. This can be done by playing up on the student's strength and incorporating them into their learning.

When starting to work with a student it is important to learn what their hobbies and interests are. Incorporating these interests are a huge way to motivate students not only in reading but math as well. It will also help build their confidence in a familiar subject is embedded in new material. It makes it feel less daunting.

It is important to pay attention to which styles of learning work best for each student. Some students are visual learners, while other strive with auditory or tactical learning. Choosing the right method can make a difficult concept much easier for a student to tackle.

First, I would choose a book on a topic that I know interests them. Next, I would make sure that the level of the book is a little lower than their ability. This ensures that phonics and fluency will be non-factors so the student can focus all of their attention to comprehending the text. While reading, I would stop periodically and ask combinations of both implicit and explicit questions to make sure that the student is on track. This way, it is easier to see where the comprehension is breaking down.

Successful strategies vary based on each student. I have students that learn best turning math problems into songs, or hand motions to remember concepts. Where others learn best practicing problems hands on. Regardless of the strategy it is important to make sure the student feels they are in control of their learning.

When starting to work with a student I believe it is important to learn what a student loves to do in their free time. With that information it is easy to embed what they love into learning. Whether it is reading or math, tying learning to a real life example that they are interested in will keep them engaged. I also believe praise for a student's strengths are a huge part of creating a safe and fun learning environment.

After working on a concept for a while, I would have the student complete practice questions. Once they are complete I would ask them to tell me how they answered the problem and why. This will tell me how deep their knowledge on the topic goes and allows me to fix any misunderstandings that may have presented itself along the way.

When starting to work with a student it is important to identify a student's strengths. Then, I make sure I use those strengths while practicing new or difficult skills. This way, while working on a new skill I can praise them for their mastery while they use it to master a new concept.

Evaluating students is a constant necessity. Every time I work with a student I am constantly checking for understanding by asking questions. This allows me to help get rid of misconceptions that may arise immediately.

The materials I use vary based on the student. I have used everything from music, worksheets, white boards, and blocks to help a struggling student master a concept.