Tutoring today is a $4 billion industry (yes—billion) with companies like Sylvan Learning Center and Kaplan Tutoring cashing in. What are parents of today’s overextended students to do? If only there were a resource closer to home that was easy, free, and able to provide the same quality of service. But there is: you.
Top professional tutor Marina Koestler Ruben empowers you to take a do-it-yourself approach to your child’s after-school enrichment. As a parent-tutor, you will learn how provide holistic academic support for your children and create an intellectual environment in the home—strengthening your relationship and improving parent-child communication in the process.
Ruben’s accessible guide shows you how to balance big-picture curiosity with the academic nitty-gritties of homework assignments, organization, and electronic resources. Building on her proven “Six-Step Session” format, Ruben shares the secrets to tutoring children in any subject from kindergarten through high school—all with a warm, entertaining tone that will inspire you to inspire them.
How to Tutor Your Own Child
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“begins with tips to engage children in the learning process and proceeds to ideas to make education fun and creative. ...Parents who have trouble motivating their children will find this book (which considers K-12 students, with a particular focus on teens) useful and will appreciate Ruben’s organization and chapter summations.”
—Library Journal, 6/1/11
“Marina Ruben uses wisdom, experience, and laser-sharp intuition coupled with support and concrete tools and strategies. This is a must-read book for parents of every school-age child.”
—Dr. Fran Walfish, Child Psychotherapist and Author, The Self-Aware Parent
“A thoughtful, humorous, and practical guide for parents and anyone interested in child enrichment. Reading and discussing this book will be time well spent.”
—Dr. Lea Ybarra, Executive Director, Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins University
—Library Journal, 6/1/11
“Marina Ruben uses wisdom, experience, and laser-sharp intuition coupled with support and concrete tools and strategies. This is a must-read book for parents of every school-age child.”
—Dr. Fran Walfish, Child Psychotherapist and Author, The Self-Aware Parent
“A thoughtful, humorous, and practical guide for parents and anyone interested in child enrichment. Reading and discussing this book will be time well spent.”
—Dr. Lea Ybarra, Executive Director, Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins University
About the Author
Marina Koestler Ruben, MA, is a professional tutor, writer, and editor who works as the official in-house writing tutor at the renowned Sidwell Friends School. She has also privately tutored students K–12 in math, science, history, English, ESL, French, Spanish, and other subjects. She has been published by the Washington City Paper, Smithsonian.com, CNN.com, EducationWeek.org, and McSweeneys.net, and she has appeared on NPR’s Talk of the Nation. Marina lives with her husband and daughter in Washington, DC. Visit www.MarinaRuben.com.
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More About the Author
MARINA KOESTLER RUBEN is a professional tutor, writer, and editor who works as the official in-house writing tutor at Sidwell Friends School, in Washington, DC. She has also privately tutored K-12 students in math, science, history, English, ESL, French, and Spanish, as well as in organization and study skills. She has taught creative writing workshops for children and freelance writing workshops for adults. Her writing has been published by Smithsonian Magazine, CNN.com, Education Week, McSweeney's, the Washington City Paper, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and she has appeared on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Marina received her B.A. and M.A. in writing from the Johns Hopkins University.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By RheaK
Format:Paperback
I picked up this book not as a parent but as an aunt. The practical tips, like creating a portable tutoring toolbox and inviting family members to come up with their own mnemonic devices, can serve aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends of the family as well as parents. I also recommend this book to teachers. Ironic, I know! My English students may not realize it, but this semester's lesson on outlining will look a lot like pages 52-53 of this book, and I'll definitely incorporate Ruben's great advice on how to break large tasks into manageable pieces. Those students may also receive pointers based on Chapter 8's "Notes on Note Taking."
While Ruben's advice can be very specific and address crucial steps in learning, she keeps the tone light, fun, and sometimes downright hilarious. (I kid you not -- I laughed out loud at least twice in every chapter!)
Throughout the book, Ruben reinforces the themes of demonstrating a love of learning and respecting the student. Again, these are lessons that anyone in a child's life should learn.
While Ruben's advice can be very specific and address crucial steps in learning, she keeps the tone light, fun, and sometimes downright hilarious. (I kid you not -- I laughed out loud at least twice in every chapter!)
Throughout the book, Ruben reinforces the themes of demonstrating a love of learning and respecting the student. Again, these are lessons that anyone in a child's life should learn.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Susan Min
Format:Paperback
I picked up this book as a volunteer writing tutor of teenagers. I had no tutoring experience whatsoever, and I had no idea how to get started. I used the book's 6-step method for organizing my sessions, which helped a lot. The author includes tons of simple pieces of advice that I had never thought of and that only an experienced teacher would know from years of working with students. I appreciated the advice, especially on breaking down tasks, and how to greet your student and set the right tone for the session. The book is warm, funny, and contains striking insights that I found helpful not just for tutoring better but for being a more patient and compassionate person in general. Good read for any beginning tutor, teacher or parent.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read! You CAN tutor your own child with the aid of this book!
September 11, 2011
By E. Fulton
Format:Paperback
Ms. Ruben provides insightful tips on how to tutor your own child. Having limited tutoring experience, I wanted to read the book to see what I could improve upon. I had some ideas on what I was doing right and wrong, but this book certainly will "up" my game!
Ms. Ruben addresses myriad topics to turn the parent-child relationship into that of a "parent-tutor" (Ruben's term). She first discusses what she calls "helicopter parents," and how to avoid that downfall. (For those not in the know, helicopter parents "hover" over their children while doing schoolwork.) She describes feedback word choice, positive reinforcement methods, ethical tutoring (not doing the homework for the child), and how to effectively utilize time- even when the child isn't at their most attentive state.
The book goes into greater detail on how to make learning more fun, and to help teach the child that learning is a lifelong pursuit- not just something for the classroom. She describes how to expand the classroom into the home and on field trips: add to your room decor with maps and posters! Visit museums, historical landmarks, etc. Further, the book points the reader to many, many internet resources- some of which you wouldn't even think to check out on your own! One of those (why would I look at that...) resources is the "unschooling" movement and how to incorporate some of their unique and effective methods to boost learning. To be clear, she's NOT suggesting pulling your children out of school!
The book also details how to tailor the tutor relationship based on the child's needs as an individual, as well as by grade level.
Overall, I think the book is highly effective. The reader is bound to pick up at least a few tips & tricks to help them get started tutoring. I think it's a valuable book for the price.
Just think- you'd be paying more than the book price for an hour's worth of professional tutoring! Why not give this a chance, and save at least an hour or two?!
Ms. Ruben addresses myriad topics to turn the parent-child relationship into that of a "parent-tutor" (Ruben's term). She first discusses what she calls "helicopter parents," and how to avoid that downfall. (For those not in the know, helicopter parents "hover" over their children while doing schoolwork.) She describes feedback word choice, positive reinforcement methods, ethical tutoring (not doing the homework for the child), and how to effectively utilize time- even when the child isn't at their most attentive state.
The book goes into greater detail on how to make learning more fun, and to help teach the child that learning is a lifelong pursuit- not just something for the classroom. She describes how to expand the classroom into the home and on field trips: add to your room decor with maps and posters! Visit museums, historical landmarks, etc. Further, the book points the reader to many, many internet resources- some of which you wouldn't even think to check out on your own! One of those (why would I look at that...) resources is the "unschooling" movement and how to incorporate some of their unique and effective methods to boost learning. To be clear, she's NOT suggesting pulling your children out of school!
The book also details how to tailor the tutor relationship based on the child's needs as an individual, as well as by grade level.
Overall, I think the book is highly effective. The reader is bound to pick up at least a few tips & tricks to help them get started tutoring. I think it's a valuable book for the price.
Just think- you'd be paying more than the book price for an hour's worth of professional tutoring! Why not give this a chance, and save at least an hour or two?!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Practical, specific advice for parents
I checked out this book at the library and liked it so much that when I'm done writing this, I'll be purchasing my own copy that I can dog-ear to my heart's content and use as a... Read more
Published 12 days ago by D. Gohr
4.0 out of 5 stars
Most useful for non-specific tutoring
Gives the reader plenty of ideas. However, most of these ideas (so far, I haven't finished the book) are for non-specific tutors, that is, you are trying to improve the child's... Read more
Published 2 months ago by cat person
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gives good easy to follow advice
This book is laid out in an organized manner. It takes into account that different kids respond to different types of learning. It is down to earth and not boring.
Published 3 months ago by Jennifer R. Kenning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Tool for Parents
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway. It didn't influence my review in any way.
This book is written by an experienced professional tutor who shares her expertise with... Read more
This book is written by an experienced professional tutor who shares her expertise with... Read more
Published 21 months ago by lkm8
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for students of all ages!
A great book! As a former tutor for undergraduate school, the book would have been a great help! However, as a current teaching assistant for a graduate school, there are... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Meredith
5.0 out of 5 stars
A treasure trove of ideas to help your children learn!
I feel so lucky to have had this book put into my hands. My family has been having so much fun putting new learning activity ideas to work in our home. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Sara McGrath
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