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What Is Small Group Tutoring Like?

Pres mult | 21 Jan 2022

Every child learns in a different way. Some excel in large classrooms while others prefer smaller groups or individual study.  Then there are kids who learn things easily while others need a little extra help. Small group tutoring could be exactly what your child needs to improve their grade and truly understand what they are learning.

WhizKidz Tutoring is an organization that offers small group tutoring services for children across the New York area.

What is small group tutoring?

Small group tutoring is a service we provide in which your child joins other children in a small group outside of school for the purpose of receiving extra help in a subject they may be struggling to learn. We refer to these groups as “pods,” which is short for “Parent Organized Discovery Sites”. These pods make it possible for parents to enhance their child’s education, especially if they need help managing homeschooling or school closures.

Who forms the pods?

WhizKidz does not form the pods. Parents do this themselves. After parents form a pod of students, they contact us and we provide a tutor for the group. Parents tell us what the children in the pods need and we assess which of our many tutors would be the best fit.

How big are the classes?

The good news is that these pods are not large. While a typical classroom is often too big for students to receive more individual attention from their teachers, a WhizKidz pod usually includes 2-6 students. Students will often know each other and will feel more comfortable in a small group.

Where are the classes located?

Tutoring takes place at a client’s home or at a local library. This provides a comfortable environment that can foster learning. WhizKidz does not have a brick-and-mortar location. We come to you and your child, making education more convenient.

How long is each group session?

Each group session lasts a minimum of one hour but can be longer. The length of each session depends on what students can reasonably handle and what subject or subjects are being taught. Pods usually meet at least once a week but can meet more often.

Are there classes for all ages?

Yes, WhizKidz offers tutoring pods for kids in pre-school, pods for elementary school kids, and pods for junior high and high school kids. We even offer college tutoring pods. WhizKidz believes that kids of any age should have the opportunity to learn in small groups with a tutor if that’s what they need to succeed.

What subjects does Whiz Kidz offer?

Our tutors are capable of teaching any subject. If the pod needs help with math, we will teach them math. Other subjects include reading, writing, science, social studies, and language arts just to name a few. We also offer Executive Function Coaching Groups that will help your child develop and maintain self-management skills such as organizing, planning, prioritizing, time management, maintaining focus, self-assessing, and studying efficiently. We even offer classes to teach your child social skills, which are increasingly important in the world today.

Are the tutors qualified to teach?

Most of our tutors are current teachers but all of them have a Master’s Degree to teach children. Some of them also have certification in Wilson’s Reading System, Orton Gillingham, Writing Revolution, and other educational programs. They don’t just want your child to simply learn the subject matter, they want them to understand it. Parents will receive background information about tutors upon assignment to the pod. We will assess tutors to find the right one for your group.

What should students bring with them to tutoring sessions?

We will inform parents about what their child needs to bring to any small group tutoring session.

Will parents be provided with a syllabus?

No, we do not typically provide parents with a syllabus, but parents will have a connection with their child’s tutor, who will provide them with a specialized academic plan.

Will small groups tutoring help prepare my child for tests?

Tutoring absolutely helps students prepare for tests. Our tutors can not only help your child raise their scores on tests throughout the school year, but also prepare them for tests such as ISEE, SAT, ACT, Regents, Midterms, and Finals.

Does WhizKidz offer online tutoring?

Yes, we offer online tutoring in addition to small group tutoring so your child can receive remote learning if you prefer. This is especially convenient during the current COVID-19 pandemic. We offer one on one learning and even your child’s pod can meet online. Sessions last 30 minutes or longer.

What are the benefits of small group tutoring?

There are three key benefits of small group tutoring.

• Student Engagement

Unlike large classrooms in which students can get lost in the shuffle, small group tutoring offers students the opportunity to engage with their fellow students and use their strengths to help each other learn and understand the subject matter. Each student brings a unique perspective to tutoring sessions so they feel more like a discussion instead of a lecture.

• Students Stick With It

The motivation to learn and help others learn keeps students coming back for more every session. Your child will have social and academic support they can turn to when they are struggling. Small group tutoring also means your child will know the other members of the pod, giving them familiar faces to see every session.

• Student Confidence

Another benefit of smaller groups is that they are less intimidating, which gives your child the ability to build their confidence. If your child is generally shy, a smaller group allows them to join the discussion without so many eyes on them. As their confidence grows, they will feel more comfortable speaking as part of larger groups, which becomes especially important in college and the workforce.

Is small group tutoring right for my child?

Not every small group will necessarily be right for your child. Every child learns in their own way. Maybe your child prefers the larger classroom setting. Perhaps your child has a skill level that is higher or lower than the other pod members, making it necessary to find a pod that matches. Our tutors will do their best to make your child comfortable within the pod and to engage with them. Meet with your child’s teacher and ask if small group tutoring might be a good fit for them.  If your child is homeschooled, you may already know if tutoring is right for your child.

Contact WhizKidz Tutoring Today!

WhizKidz is dedicated to helping students learn and understand all subjects. Parents can inquire about small group tutoring by filling out our simple online form. We serve Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York and Bergen County in New Jersey. We also serve NYC and Long Island. For more information, please call us at 914-200-3512 or 516-210-6755 or visit our website today!