
Laura
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Michigan - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Graduate Degree: Cornell University - Master of Science, Chemistry
Reading, Baking
Algebra 2 Class
Algebra 3/4
Algebra REGENTS
CLEP Prep
CLEP Chemistry
Grade 12 Chemistry
High School Chemistry
High School Science
Middle School Science
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Tests Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe people learn best by practice, but it has to be the right kind of practice--not flailing at problems they don't know how to start, because that's intimidating and discouraging; not wasting time with problems they could work in their sleep. It's important that students feel safe trying to think about the problem, safe making mistakes, and safe saying where they don't understand something.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Approach it in a different way, starting by making it less abstract if possible. Equations can be solved graphically. Fractions can be colored on graph paper, or we can use measuring cups and water, before going back to calculations. Grammar challenges can be re-stated to be about more familiar topics.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When a student seems to be having trouble with reading, I often ask them to read a few lines to me, so we can pick out the more important details. This shows me what kind of reading difficulty they are struggling with. Most often, they are simply having trouble figuring out which details are important, and it helps them a great deal to understand the structure of different kinds of writing, so they know what to look for. But if they are having trouble focusing on the right part of the paragraph, I suggest reading with a straightedge under the line. If they struggle with the process of decoding itself, I suggest subvocalizing (or reading aloud, where that is feasible).