Tutoring Session Prompt Templates

DIAGNOSTIC SESSION: Multi-digit Multiplication. Goal: Find the exact breakdown point. START (5 min): Build confidence. 'Show me 7 × 8.' Then 6 × 9, 4 × 7. Note: Are basic facts automatic or does she count? STEP 2 (5 min): 'Now try 23 × 4.' Watch where she writes each digit. Does she know to multiply ones then tens? Does she add the partial products correctly? STEP 3 (10 min): 'Try 34 × 12.' This is where errors happen. Watch for: Does she set up partial products? Does she use a zero placeholder? Does she line up digits when adding?... DIAGNOSIS GUIDE: If basic facts are slow → needs fact fluency. If setup is wrong → doesn't understand place value in multiplication. If adding is wrong → needs regrouping practice...

SESSION: Main Idea vs. Topic vs. Details. OPENING (5 min): 'What's the difference between a topic and a main idea?' Let them explain, note misconceptions. TEACH (10 min): 'Topic is one or two words: dogs. Main idea is a complete thought: Dogs make great pets because they're loyal. Details support that idea.' Use the 'umbrella' visual: main idea is the umbrella, details fit underneath. GUIDED PRACTICE (15 min): Read a short paragraph together. First identify the topic (easy). Then ask: 'What ONE thing is the author saying about that topic?' Try three paragraphs together, each time asking 'Does this detail support the main idea or is it just interesting?' INDEPENDENT (10 min): Student tries two paragraphs alone, explaining their thinking. CHECK (5 min): 'In your own words, what's the difference between topic, main idea, and details?' Can they explain it clearly?...

SAT MATH PREP SESSION. WARM-UP (5 min): Three quick geometry problems to build confidence. WORD PROBLEM STRATEGY (20 min): Teach the 'CUBES' method: Circle numbers, Underline question, Box key words, Evaluate steps, Solve and check. Practice on 3 word problems together, using CUBES each time. Student talks through thinking. QUADRATICS FOCUS (25 min): Review factoring, quadratic formula, vertex form. 'When do you use each method?' Practice 4 problems, mixing methods. Focus on recognizing which approach fits each problem. TEST STRATEGIES (10 min): 'Skip and return' for hard problems. Plugging in answer choices when stuck. Time management: 1.25 minutes per problem average. What to do with remaining time. HOMEWORK: 10 practice word problems using CUBES. 5 quadratic problems. Time yourself...

HOMEWORK HELP: Two-Step Equations. BEFORE SOLVING: 'Show me one problem. Before we solve it, tell me what you already know about equations.' 'What does it mean to solve for x?' 'Why do we do the same thing to both sides?' IF THEY HAVE SOME UNDERSTANDING: Work the first problem together, but make them tell you each step. 'What should we do first? Why?' Do the second problem with you only asking guiding questions. Third problem: they do it while you watch. Say nothing unless they're stuck. IF THEY'RE COMPLETELY LOST: Back up. 'Forget this problem. If 3 + x = 10, what's x?' Build from one-step to two-step. Use a balance scale visual. READY TO WORK ALONE WHEN: They can explain why we 'undo' operations in reverse order. They can do a problem without looking at you for confirmation. CLOSING: 'Do the next problem while I watch but don't help. If you can do it, you're ready to finish alone.'...