During a recent tutoring session, I observed Demetria working with her Year 3 student on two important focus areas: Writing a Biography for school and Solving Worded Maths Problems. The session was well-structured, engaging, and thoughtfully tailored to the student’s learning needs.
The lesson began with an Introduction to Biographies. Demetria explained the concept clearly, using examples of well-known figures familiar to the student. She asked insightful questions like, “What makes someone’s life story worth telling?” This approach encouraged the student to think critically and connect with the task.
To make the activity manageable, Demetria guided the student through writing a biography about an individual she was interested in. They started by brainstorming key details such as the person’s name, age, achievements and fun facts. Demetria introduced a graphic organiser to help the student structure their ideas, which was particularly effective in illustrating the flow of information. She provided clear instructions while leaving room for the student’s creativity, and her consistent encouragement boosted the student’s confidence.
The second part of the session focused on solving Worded Maths Problems, an area where the student had been struggling. Demetria introduced many different tips and tricks, which helped break the task into smaller, manageable steps. She encouraged the student to underline key information and determine the operation required, such as addition or subtraction.
When faced with a tricky problem, Demetria patiently supported the student by asking open-ended questions like, “What do you think this part means?” This approach allowed the student to develop their critical thinking skills without relying on direct answers.
Throughout the session, Demetria displayed excellent rapport with her student. Her positive reinforcement and calm, supportive manner created a safe and engaging learning environment, fostering both skill development and confidence.
Overall, Demetria’s session was a strong example of effective, student-centred tutoring. Her ability to scaffold learning, adapt to the student’s needs, and promote independence ensured significant progress in both literacy and numeracy skills.
Isabella Naumovski
