First Grade

Over the past couple of years, I have had the honor and delight of spending most of my time with junior high and high school-aged students, tutoring them through a variety of their classes. I have enjoyed sharing my enthusiasm for many subjects with them, but the subject that the majority of students want assistance with is math. I am aware of how math builds through the years, and I know the skills the students will need as they continue their studies. That knowledge has made it all the more fun to be tutoring a first grader this summer.

Every week I get to pull out math manipulatives, pattern blocks and games and use them to prepare this young boy to think well, enjoy the math process and be prepared for what comes next. I realize that the patterning skills he is using will be helpful when he begins algebra years down the road. Understanding shapes and how they work together will help with geometry. But most of all, he is finding out

that learning is fun, and that will carry him down the road best of all.

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy History Day

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This month’s blog will consist mainly of photos from a dance I did a couple of weeks ago. A local private school has a yearly history day where students and their families come together to learn about a specific time period. This year they were studying the Civil War. They share food, music, games and dance! I was told that the estimated number of people expected was 450. Not all of those folks danced, but we had a large number of people dance for the very first time!

The location was a lovely, flat grassy area at Biddle Park in Arroyo Grande. A ladies’ trio, Atalanta Running, provided the live music. The dancers were enthusiastic, the weather lovely, and a grand time was had by all. Although I enjoy hosting my own Balls, calling dances for private events allows for experiences with new people in unique places!

All photos were taken by Evan Gillham.

Quiet

A good friend of mine is fond of saying, “Western Civilization was built on private tutoring.” It is true that many of the great minds over the centuries have been nurtured and trained by personal tutors who focused on the students’ gifts, engaged them in stimulating conversation, and provided immediate feedback for optimal learning.

Large numbers of age-segregated students in classrooms is a recent phenomenon historically. Although it is cost effective and provides parents a place to put their children for much of the day, it is not the ideal situation for every child.

I am currently reading the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Although I am extremely extroverted, I am familiar with introverts in that I am married to one, and I spent eighteen years homeschooling my introverted daughter. Introverts enjoy working alone for hours on projects that engage them. One or two friends over for a play date is often preferred to loud and overwhelming crowds of children that sap their energy.

Many children who struggle at school would benefit from one-on-one tutoring, away from the distractions and noise of the classroom. Private tutoring is an expensive option. However, for many children, the expense is worth the calmer present and brighter future that it brings.