If you were asked to tutor middle-school math...

[Heidi]

and you haven't done middle school math since middle school, but you were given a month to study, what/how would you choose to study?  I can spend 1.5 hours a day studying.  I'm not sure what books to order for myself.  My school district is obviously desperate for tutors, but I'm excited for the challenge.  Thoughts?

 

 

ETA: I have at home already: CLE 6, AOPS pre-Algebra, Saxon Algebra 1, 2, and Advanced Mathematics.  And then there's Kahn Academy.  Study what I have?  Get something different? My oldest is only in 6th grade!  

[wapiti]

My first choice would be AoPS Prealgebra followed by algebra.  I think you'd need to re-familiarize yourself with both for tutoring middle school math.  The only trouble is that I'm not sure 1.5 hrs/day is enough - that may depend on you and what you remember.  You'd better get started :)

[Lara in Colo]

Lials Basic College math (it reviews everything) and then lials introductory algebra

They are made for adults (college students)
they move quickly
they have good explanations

they are cheap

I did well in Algebra and DD14 used Lials Algebra and I did it alongside her -  I found it a good review and there we a lot of "oh I remember that " moments and almost none of the "huh?" moments

 

[Loesje22000]

I would watch the AoPS video's.

Much more efficient then working through the books in my case.

 

I would pick the most regular math text in your area and study that.

For everything that seems odd explained, or do not understand myself I would search for substitutes in the books you have.

 

Being raised with: you can math or not, but you can't learn it,

Learning about a grow mind set was the key to me to become a better math teacher to dd.

[Farrar]

I would want to know what the student is up to in math first. "Middle school math" can mean anything from arithmetic review to beyond algebra and geometry.

 

I would also ask yourself if you can really do it. When you say you haven't done it since you were in middle school, I assume you mean that you have done other math and consider yourself capable, just that you need to review what's actually taught and expected and perhaps a few of the finer points of math we don't typically use daily, such as formulas for geometry and the like, not that you need to relearn much of this stuff from scratch.

[Arcadia]

Are you going to be an afterschool tutor or homeschool tutor.  If you are going to be an afterschool tutor, then you would have to find out what textbooks the child is using currently. If you are going to be a homeschool tutor, then you need to see if the parent wants a particular curriculum or is asking you to pick.

 

I would want to know what the student is up to in math first. "Middle school math" can mean anything from arithmetic review to beyond algebra and geometry.

 

:iagree:

[Ravin]

I would want to get my hands on whatever math textbook the school uses, because being able to figure that out will be necessary to helping the students figure it out. When I tutored math in college, I was often literally a half step ahead of the student. I as much helped them make sense of their resources as anything else.

[kbutton]

I would want to get my hands on whatever math textbook the school uses, because being able to figure that out will be necessary to helping the students figure it out. When I tutored math in college, I was often literally a half step ahead of the student. I as much helped them make sense of their resources as anything else.

 

I agree, though I don't think it's at all a bad idea to also brush up on stuff as other posters have pointed out. I think this is the most important piece though. Kids who need tutoring may be living on the edge of each homework assignment, and you might not have time to go back and fix previous potholes--you may be patching them up just enough to keep moving and not fail.

[Vida Winter]

I would try to use the same materials as the students use. From there, you can supplement.

[mom31257]

Does your state board of education have the standards on their website? You may find that your school doesn't have a textbook and the teachers only give handouts. That's what happens here except in some AP classes.

 

I think you'll be surprised at the amount of statistics covered, so you might need a resource for it. There are a lot of resources and links in the individual units under the grade levels here at our state's middle school standards.

 

https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Pages/Math-6-8.aspx

[Julie of KY]

I'd use AoPS to review - the books and videos.

 

(As a parent, I'd want someone who is capable of dong AoPS to tutor my kids. Even if you are teaching at a lower lever, if you as a tutor don't fundamentally understand the math, then you can't pass on the nuances in your teaching).

[Sahamamama]

I would first seek more information from the school. What level of math are they talking about? Will the students be "on-level" or remedial? Can you ask the school what you should study?

 

Then, for the fastest overview, I'd begin with a Quick Study guide (or several of them). This would help you to check off concepts you definitely have mastered, and zero in on those that need more work.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Quick-Reference-pamplet-Academic/dp/142320395X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_z

 

http://www.amazon.com/Math-Fundamentals-2-Quickstudy-Academic/dp/1423204255/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_y

 

http://www.amazon.com/Math-Fundamentals-3-Quickstudy-Academic/dp/1423205650/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_z

 

http://www.amazon.com/Math-Fundamentals-4-Quickstudy-Academic/dp/1423205669/ref=pd_sim_14_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0RRSVGZYHC2160E83E69&dpID=61uhdObdIoL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124%2C160_

 

http://www.amazon.com/Math-Fundamentals-Problems-Quick-Academic/dp/1423215052/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1A5BV7M506M3X14QG7W9&dpID=51xv7aglFjL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124%2C160_

 

http://www.amazon.com/Pre-Algebra-Quickstudy-Academic-Inc-BarCharts/dp/1572227265/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_y

 

http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Part-1-Quickstudy-Academic/dp/1572227354/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_z

 

http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Part-2-Quick-Study/dp/1572229225/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_y

 

http://www.amazon.com/Geometry-Part-1-Quickstudy-Academic/dp/1572225327/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=00N0DZS7254NRJ8V1DT2&dpID=618DYZm5KeL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124%2C160_

 

http://www.amazon.com/Geometry-Part-2-Quickstudy-Academic/dp/1572225351/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_y

 

http://www.amazon.com/Geometric-Formulas-Quickstudy-Inc-BarCharts/dp/1572229098/ref=pd_bxgy_14_text_z

 

In a perfect world, we'd all know everything about each thing we teach. This world is far from perfect, and a teacher who tries can certainly make a difference in a student's life. HTH.

[Heidi]

I really appreciate everyone's input.  I don't know much information about this position yet.  I have a meeting on Monday about the details.  I just know they need a math tutor for grades 6-8, and they're willing to let me give it a go with zero experience.  I don't know exactly the level or the curriculum they're talking about.  I'll be an after-school tutor.  I consider myself good at math, I enjoy it, did well in school.  I'm doing this to get a little experience in the field of education, to get out of the house and do something, and because I've always wanted to be a tutor and serve the community in this way.  Plus, I've been meaning to study ahead in math for my own kids, so this will give me the kick in the pants to finally do it.  It will be fun. I love learning.

 

So, I've decided for now that my plan of action is to quickly work through MM's Blue series (by topic) for grades 4-7 (which goes through pre-Algebra), work through AoPS pre-Algebra, and then I'll get something for Algebra I later, if I need it.  

 

Danke schoen!

[Vida Winter]

I really appreciate everyone's input.  I don't know much information about this position yet.  I have a meeting on Monday about the details.  I just know they need a math tutor for grades 6-8, and they're willing to let me give it a go with zero experience.  I don't know exactly the level or the curriculum they're talking about.  I'll be an after-school tutor.  I consider myself good at math, I enjoy it, did well in school.  I'm doing this to get a little experience in the field of education, to get out of the house and do something, and because I've always wanted to be a tutor and serve the community in this way.  Plus, I've been meaning to study ahead in math for my own kids, so this will give me the kick in the pants to finally do it.  It will be fun. I love learning.

 

So, I've decided for now that my plan of action is to quickly work through MM's Blue series (by topic) for grades 4-7 (which goes through pre-Algebra), work through AoPS pre-Algebra, and then I'll get something for Algebra I later, if I need it.  

 

Danke schoen!

 

You'll do fine and if the MM review is not working it will be clear soon enough - you can always adjust. You'll be surprised how much math comes back to you. It's a real confidence-builder. My #1 recommendation is always Khan Academy whether you work through methodically or just consult the videos once in a while.

 

ETA: One more thing I forgot. If you are helping someone and you find yourself not understanding something, do the work to look it up and figure it out thoroughly even if you need to get back with the student the next day or by email. Sometimes you will get a question that is not easy to explain. Take the time to investigate and communicate to your students that sometimes you need to take a step back, think about the concept, and do some digging to truly understand a concept. I tell my students to watch carefully as I work out problems because I will sometimes make a mistake.

[MarkT]

When tutoring math make sure you see the "light-bulb" turn on in the student.  Don't be afraid to step back to earlier principles and usually walk-through hand drawn graphics helps.

Is this one-on-one or group tutoring?

 

good luck

[SilverMoon]

I did this for a friend's son rather suddenly earlier this year. We used Lial's BCM. It's thorough, includes all the teaching, has gobs of practice problems, and parents can run it if need be. I would have tapped into Lial's prealg book if there was time.

[happypamama]

You might also consider working through the 6-8th grade portions of Kahn Academy.

[BusyMom5]

I'm using AOPS for myself!  It's a great refresher :)  DD is doing Saxon 1/2, so think this combo is working well for us.  She did not take to AOPS at all, and while I like the methods presented, I think for a kid without a lot of practice, it wasn't a good fit.