Tutorials

Tutorials take place before any cumulative assessment such as a unit test or semester exam.  Adapted from the AVID tutorial, the process helps guide student-centered groups to answer their own questions about assignments, schoolwork, and much more.  Tutorials help students learn how to develop and answer higher level thinking questions and learn through the inquiry process.

Tutorial Process

At any point during a unit each student will develop at least one question they have relating to the concepts covered during that unit. Usually tutorials take place the day before a unit test or semester exam. On the day of the tutorial students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5. Students lead one another with collaborative group discussions and questioning to determine the answers to the student presenter's question.  The teacher is merely a guide in this student-centered activity. 

*NOTE:  Collaborative discussions and the inquiry process are the keys to tutorials, not necessarily coming up with the exact answers.  There will be times students might leave tutorials with their questions unanswered and this is okay.   If a student comes to the conclusion that they cannot answer their question, it leads them to realize they must seek further help from their teachers, parents, etc. 

Completing a Tutorial Request Form (TRF)

1.  Heading: Complete the Name, Period, Date

2.  Initial/Original Questions: Complete the original question, this may come from a homework question, c-note from class, a movie clip in class, lecture, notes in your binder, etc. Include the source such as assignment #, page # or source (ie quiz, worksheet, etc.), problemm # on the provided line. Make sure to bring the source of your question to class with you for the tutorial.

4.  Key Academic Vocabulary & Definition: Write down two vocabulary words related to your initial question.   Then write down the 

academic definition from your notes. It should not be a definition that you make up on your own or find on the internet, that doesn't relate to what has been learned in class. You may also include examples of similar types of problems from your notes. You may include up to 8 extra related definitions or similar examples from your notes for exra credit of 0.5 points each, a total of 4 extra credit points.

5.  What You Know About Your Question: This can come from your notes, it can be your analysis of a problem, or explanation of a step by step process, further explanation of the definitions in your own words, etc.  This is anything that you DO know about your question for sure.  It may be a good idea to pull on prior knowledge when filling out this box and try to connect your initial question with a past experience.  

6.  Critical Thinking about Initial Question: You should be showing your work and ideas for what you have tried so far.  This is the area 

where you may show a step-by-step process. This is not a list of what steps you will follow during tutorials.  In this box you actually TRY to solve your question and 

show your work and ideas here!  

7.  Identify General Process and Steps: In this section you explain what steps you followed so far to try to solve your question.  If you did NOT solve your initial/original question, then your final step should be to discuss with tutorial group.

8.  Question from Point of Confusion: If you DID solve your initial/original question after thinking critically, then your question from point of confusion should be a level 3 question that extends the same concept. If you DID NOT solve your question after thinking critically, then your question from point of confusion should be focused on exactly what part you got stuck on.