Tutoring & Enrichment Activities
Each tutor comes to Lafayette Elementary School once a week, for a 1.5 hour session. Tutoring sessions take place in a dedicated space in the school; in this bright and cheery atmosphere, with organized learning materials, games, and other educational resources, students have work spaces, healthy snacks, and a cozy library area.
At the start of each tutoring session, the tutor checks in with the student about his/her day, and they share a healthy snack. After check-in, the tutor helps the student with homework for about 20 minutes, focusing on the areas that are most challenging for the student. Then, based on the student's needs, the tutor chooses a specific academic area or skill on which to focus for the next half hour. During a typical tutoring session, academic activities might include reading books of interest to the student, using manipulatives to explore the concept of multiplication, telling time using analog clocks, counting play money, or practicing writing skills. Next, the tutor helps the student practice writing for about 15 minutes. The final 10-15 minutes of the session is reserved for games. The student gets to choose the activity, anything from board games, to computer time, to sports. This playtime helps build the bond between student and tutor, which in turn leads to increased trust and self-esteem in the student. Ongoing training and support is available to tutors to implement individualized teaching strategies for his or her student. Tutors and their students may attend monthly field trips at no cost – they are arranged by Boost! to extend learning beyond the classroom and develop a mentoring relationship.
Mentoring Beyond the Classroom
One of the keys to Boost’s success is the fostering of mentoring relationships between Tutor/Mentors and students. Tutors are encouraged to move beyond the student-tutor dynamic and take on the role of mentors. Mentoring enables Boost! students to form a positive relationship with a caring adult role model who provides them with support and guidance. Mentors build a trusting relationship with their students, advocating for them with teachers and parents; taking them on field trips, and even facilitating involvement with sports teams, summer camps, and other activities. In many cases, mentors and students form affectionate long-term relationships in which the mentors serve as role models guiding their students through life decisions and situations long after elementary school.
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