Award-Winning 1st Grade Arithmetic Tutors

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Award-Winning 1st Grade Arithmetic Tutors

Kate

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Kate

Master's/Graduate
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
K-4th Grade math
K-4th Grade Science
K-4th Grade Reading

I have 15+ years of teaching experience with students ages 2-14 years old. I am passionate about early childhood education and building the foundation for life long learning. I believe in engaging and playful learning and will teach my classes with lots of interaction and opportunities for engagem...

Education

Walden University

Master's/Graduate

Owasif

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Owasif

Bachelor
Owasif's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
1st-5th Grade Science
1st-5th Grade Writing
1st-5th Grade Vocabulary

Hi! My name is Owasif and I have over 6 years of experience teaching K-5th grade. I'm a dedicated tutor who will put your child's success at the top of my list. I'll ensure every child gets the tutoring they need to succeed in class and beyond.

Education

University of Massachusetts-Boston

Bachelor

Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Jai

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Jai

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Jai's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Electrical Engineering
ACT Writing

I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1590
ACT
35
Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Rhea

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rhea

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Rhea's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36
Jeffrey

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34
Erika

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32
Matthew

Certified Tutor

Matthew

Bachelors in Human Biology (concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science)
Matthew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer i...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors in Human Biology (concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science)

Test Scores
SAT
1510
Zachary

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Zachary

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics
Zachary's other Tutor Subjects
Trigonometry
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies...

Education

Yale University

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
33

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Tiffany

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects

I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.

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Charles

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing

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Sami

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects

I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music

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Samantha

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I'm a first-year medical student and recent graduate from Duke University, where I studied Global Health Determinants, Behaviors, and Interventions. From running a piano program at a nonprofit children's theatre to private tutoring in math, science, and standardized test prep, I enjoy helping my students become confident and self-sufficient learners! Hobbies: photography, travel, reading, music, writing, running, art, books, traveling

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Annie

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am currently a second year medical student. I was a Physiological Sciences major at UCLA (class of 2015), and pursued research during my gap year between undergrad and medical school.

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Sharon

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classroom with middle-school students who were in approximately the 10th percentile for math (meaning they score lower than 90% of students). One-fourth of those students were able to grow around 15 percentile points by the end of the year! Hobbies: reading, cooking, gardening, music, art, nature, books, writing

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Earnest

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!

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Pinelopi

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)

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MaryAnn

Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects

I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to the nonprofit sector. Hobbies: reading, cooking, writing, books, music, art, travel

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Samuel

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

The biggest challenge in 1st Grade Arithmetic is the transition from counting objects to understanding number sense—recognizing that "5" represents a quantity, not just a word. Many students also struggle with subitizing (instantly recognizing small groups without counting), which is foundational for mental math. Addition and subtraction within 10 can be confusing when students rely only on counting on their fingers rather than developing strategies like "making 10" or recognizing fact families (e.g., 3+7=10, so 10-3=7). Word problems are another major hurdle because they require students to translate language into mathematical thinking.

A tutor helps students develop number sense by using concrete manipulatives—blocks, counters, ten-frames—to show that numbers represent quantities with real meaning. Instead of always counting 1-2-3-4-5, tutors guide students to see patterns: "We have 5, and if we add 2 more, we can count on from 5 (6, 7) instead of starting over." This bridges the gap between procedural counting and conceptual understanding. Over time, students internalize these patterns and can visualize numbers mentally, which is essential for fluency and mental math strategies.

Effective strategies include counting on (starting from the larger number), using doubles (2+2, 5+5), and making 10 (since 10 is a landmark number). A tutor teaches these explicitly and helps students choose the strategy that makes sense for each problem—for example, 9+1 is easier with "make 10" than counting on. Repeated practice with these strategies, combined with visual supports like number lines and ten-frames, helps facts become automatic without relying on finger counting. Building this foundation in 1st grade prevents math anxiety later.

Word problems require students to extract the mathematical question from language, which is a distinct skill from computation. A tutor teaches students to slow down and identify: What do we know? What are we trying to find? Should we add or subtract? Using pictures, drawings, or manipulatives to act out the problem makes it concrete. For example, "Maria has 3 apples and gets 2 more" becomes a visual story before it becomes 3+2. This approach builds problem-solving habits that transfer across different word problem types.

Showing work reveals a student's thinking process and helps identify where misconceptions occur—whether they're adding incorrectly, misunderstanding the problem, or just making careless errors. A tutor models how to record thinking visually (drawings, tallies, number sentences) and verbally explains each step. This habit prevents students from memorizing answers without understanding and makes it easier for teachers and parents to provide targeted help. Even in 1st grade, documenting thinking builds mathematical communication skills.

Yes—math anxiety can start as early as 1st grade if students feel rushed, confused, or compared to peers. A tutor creates a low-pressure environment where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, not failures. By breaking skills into small, manageable steps and celebrating progress, tutors help students build confidence and positive associations with math. This early intervention is crucial because attitudes toward math formed in 1st grade often persist through elementary school and beyond.

Memorization means recalling facts without understanding (like flashcards), while fluency means knowing facts quickly AND understanding the reasoning behind them. A student with fluency can explain why 4+3=7 and can apply that knowledge flexibly. Tutors focus on building fluency by connecting facts to strategies and patterns rather than isolated memorization. This approach prevents students from forgetting facts after a test and builds the conceptual foundation needed for multiplication, division, and algebra later.

Place value is abstract for 1st graders, so tutors use concrete tools like base-ten blocks or bundled sticks to show that 10 ones equals 1 ten. Students physically group objects and see the pattern, then record it with numbers. A tutor helps students recognize that in the number 14, the "1" represents 1 ten (10 ones) and the "4" represents 4 ones—not just two separate digits. This foundation is essential for understanding regrouping in addition and subtraction and for number sense beyond 20.

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