Stressed About School Restarting? We Can Help.

The approach of the upcoming school year can cause students and families stress. Coming out of the pandemic, many report gaps in the understanding of subjects that keep students feeling perennially behind, particlularly in math and science. One way to get a handle on stress before the school year starts is to begin working one on one with a tutor now to address these gaps in learning. Liddane tutors work with students across disciplines and subjects in an effort to get a real understanding of where the student is and to address areas where the student needs to practice skills that will allow them to catch up.

Students working from home over the Covid years also lacked the opportunity to practice social and emotional learning with their peers. For many this has resulted in a diminished ability to focus during school with so much going on around them. Teahers are stretched and have limited resources to address each student's gaps, thus leaving students feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

If you or your family is experiencing stress over the upcoming school year, please reach out to talk with Liddane's intake professionals. We have helped- and are helping- students from elementary to college age get back on track and stay there.

Summertime and the College Essay

For high school juniors and seniors, summer can be a rush of jobs, practice, friends and needing down time to explore interests and ideas. It can also be a really generative time for thinking about college application essays.  A student’s college application checklist contains all of the obvious pieces:  grades, scores, activities, coursework. However, the overall picture, including essays, personal statements, and supplemental questions, can be challenging to pin down. Who is the student? What are their strengths and interests? What will they bring to the campus community? How will they contribute to the culture and mission of the school? Summer is a time when students have experiences they want to write about for their essay. Combining experience with navigating the application process is what our team at Liddane does so well.

Representing these more subtle aspects of a person can make writing a college application essay challenging for strong students as well as those who struggle with executive functioning skills or a less than “perfect” story to tell. Showing the true nature of oneself in a way that is compelling can be an incredible hurdle for many.

LTLS college application tutors have been trained to draw out the best elements that represent the student. Many people know how to write a good essay, but the expectations for college applications are unique. Having a qualified outside person step back and look at the entire application helps focus the writing and elevate the application toward a multi-dimensional view of the student. A trained eye can direct students toward distinctive topics and divert them from those that are overused. In an effort to tell a more complete story, college application tutors coach students to use their precious word count carefully and effectively.  We want your student to feel positive about the story they are bringing to the table. Our one-on-one tutors are here to work with them. Fall dates for our Demystifying the College Application Process webinars about the entire process are open for registration now.

How to Navigate Summer, High School Students and the College Application Process

Applying for college can be a stressful time for both students and their families. You may feelburdened by the many choices, requirements, and deadlines that come with this important decision. How can you balance summer downtime, academic goals, interests, and economics without feeling overwhelmed? This especially applies to families who do not want to be hovering around their teenagers' heads all summer but know that this important process should be happening right now.

We can help navigate through the college application tasks (and, hopefully, take the edge off of the stress) with our Demystifying the College Application webinars as well as our college application tutoring. Using our team of experienced tutors to work with students over the summer to prep and be ready for the process and the school year takes the pressure off of families and provides support for this very important summer work.  Let us know how we can help!

Student Success with College Applications

Student Success with College Applications

At Liddane Tutoring, we acknowledge that applying to college is complex. We believe the college application process should be less about stressful conversations and more about self-discovery. We understand there is no one-size-fits-all package which is why our goal is to support families of diverse means and backgrounds. We provide a variety of services to ease the stress of the college application process including group workshops, informational sessions, test prep, multi-year individualized support packages, and hourly task-specific troubleshooting. Here is what one of our previous students had to say about their experience with Liddane Tutoring:

“Working with Liddane Tutoring was the best decision I made when it came to college applications. I believe I have accomplished some of my best work with their guidance. I felt so encouraged and supported during the entire process, and even after our first session, I noticed an improvement in my writing. Working with them gave me the confidence to tell my truth in my writing, and I know the applications I submitted stood out because of that. My tutor believed in me and for that I’m beyond grateful. I highly recommend working with Liddane and I’m so thankful for the help they’ve given me!”

- Grayce C.

Get a head start on your college applications this summer! Come work with our college application experts to utilize summer to its fullest potential. With most schools going test optional or test blind, the written portion of applications has become even more critical. Sign up for our virtual application workshops to experience a small group dedicated to supporting students in their college essay and application process. Students review all components of the application process including essays, activity lists, and recommendations. REGISTER NOW.

College Prep Success

The Liddane Tutoring family is proud of all recent high school graduates and honored to be part of their college application process. Luke is a recent high school graduate who along with his mother Shannon, were thrilled with his college selection. He was accepted into Hofstra, Arizona State, Loyola Chicago, UW Bothell, and the University of Illinois with merit scholarships! Parents have seen the growth in their students from working with Liddane Tutoring. Tanya has been a client of ours since 2012 and has seen how our tutors have established a relationship and adapted to the specific learning needs for all of her children:

“Our tutor navigated our oldest through high school and into college and is now guiding our youngest through high school in a similar fashion. They adapt to his unique learning needs and help him develop his behavior and social skills, while teaching him empathy and awareness of the larger world around him."

- Tanya B.

Listen to the advice of others and get a head start on your college applications this summer! Come work with our college application experts to utilize summer to its fullest potential. With most schools going test optional or test blind, the written portion of applications has become even more critical. Sign up for our virtual application workshops to experience a small group dedicated to supporting students in their college essay and application process. Students review all components of the application process including essays, activity lists, and recommendations. REGISTER NOW.

The Digital SAT

As you may have heard, the SAT is going digital. The PSAT will switch to a digital platform in the fall of 2023, and the SAT will change to digital in the spring of 2024. While you may have some concerns about this new format and what your student can expect to see, there are some exciting changes we are looking forward to! This new test will be shorter, 2 hours and 24 minutes rather than 3 hours and fifteen minutes, which means less cognitive endurance will be required. Students will be able to take the test multiple times without as much mental strain or fatigue as before. It will also allow students more time per question and the ability to receive their scores faster than ever. While the testing content will remain relatively the same, in the verbal section, reading passages will be significantly shorter. On the other hand, the questions will be tougher. Another change is that, in the math section, a calculator (Desmos!) will now always be available. Compared to the ACT, the digital SAT will allow a 60.5% increase in the amount of time per question on the verbal section and 59% more time on math.  There are considerably fewer reading problems in the math section, and the percentage of questions from geometry and trigonometry will increase.  Accommodations will also be better and they will be linked to your student’s access code. Accommodations include text to speech; talk to text; the ability to change the speed of speech, font, and color; extra breaks; and time and a half to complete the test. Some other tools available to students with or without accommodations are a testing timer, reference sheet of commonly used formulas, a mark for review feature, and the ability to annotate text. For students who  cannot test on a computer, a paper test will still be available.

Ways to prepare: Taking a mock test can help establish a baseline. After the baseline is determined and areas for improvement are identified, students can work with a tutor to study efficiently and learn test taking strategy. If your student is a junior next year, they will have the unique opportunity of being able to take the paper AND the digital test to see which medium they prefer. One thing you can currently do is download the Bluebook app from the College Board. This is the official app for taking the SAT, and College Board currently offers four full digital practice tests (with promises of more to come!). The digital SAT is being administered now internationally, which will bring even more information about the new test in the future.Let us help you navigate this change. Learn more.

Final Exam Season : Tips for Student Athletes

The demands and realities of student athletes’ schedules and being the best student possible can be a challenging juggling act, especially during finals. Intentionality delivers results. Here are some of our tried-and-true tips for exam season success. The Liddane Tutoring team believes you can navigate these challenges more easily using suggestions below, with support from coaches, teammates and study support people to kick it out of the park! If you need individual support, let us know how we can help. Good luck!

• Plot out a study calendar. Spend 15 minutes writing down the steps for what you need to do and when. Be as specific as possible.

• Consciously map out team practices, extracurriculars, and whatever else you have going on, especially prior to tests. Add to your calendar for visual reminders.

• Set meetings with teachers now. Keep a running list of questions so meetings can be as productive as possible.

• Figure out your study support people. Reach out to a classmate or bring together a group of friends who will truly help you study. Create a team study group of other players who will encourage you to use your time wisely at tournaments or away games. Encourage them back.

• Tutors can really help before tests. If you decide to work with one, set those appointments. Keep a running list of questions going and send it ahead of time if you can so your tutor can be best prepared for you.

• Review the class syllabus to understand what will be asked on the tests. What are the big questions?

• Make flash cards/study cards (Quizlet or paper–whatever works best for you).

• Review and explain the content to someone else.

• Take care of yourself during exam periods. As much as you are able, eat well, drink water, get enough sleep, deep breathe, and move your body.

“IS SUMMER TUTORING RIGHT FOR MY STUDENT?”

 We often get questions about summer tutoring, but the most common is, “Is it right for my student?” While we believe that summer should ideally be spent frolicking through fern-lined streams and chasing butterflies between daisies, academic enrichment in an individualized setting can be a valuable addition to summer’s long days. See if these top benefits of summer tutoring apply to your student.

1. PRRVENT IOSING KNOWLedDGE OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS

Summer may create a void in which academic prowess is stunted and, at best, slight slippage is inevitable. Engaging with a tutor on a weekly basis will help maintain intellectual agility and keep students engaged in the learning process.

2. PREVIEW NEW SUBJECTS TO COME

Providing a preview of material can help students feel more confident when they return to school. This is true for all types of learners! If a student is facing a particularly challenging class in the fall or is seeking exposure to content from a weaker subject area, summer tutoring helps them tackle their questions early so they feel prepared to succeed.

3. FILL IN THE GAPS AND LAY THE BUILDING BLOCKS

Setting a strong foundation and layering strong teaching on top of it will lead to success. In reality, however, students often have gaps in their knowledge. These gaps can add to future lack of confidence or struggle. Filling the gaps with individualized tutoring can reverse negative trends and turn students toward mastery.Gaps in executive skills can be just as important to shore up as gaps in knowledge. For students wanting to improve their academic planning but are not sure how, summer tutoring can be the answer.

4. SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES

When academics are hard, a two-month absence from engaging in more challenging subject matter can bring about a significant loss of content understanding. Individual summer teaching can also focus on skills that students with learning differences require for being successful during the school year.

5. MOTIVATE RELUCTANT READERS

Whether working from a school-assigned summer reading list or providing suggestions to students, the goal is to inspire interest in books.  Students often enjoy talking about their reading in a one-on-one setting. Tutors will set goals with them so that they can finish assignments before school begins again and spend time reading books for the joy of reading.

6. PURSUE AND EXPLORE INTERESTS

Learning to love a side of education that is self-driven and focused on interest rather than on a syllabus is one of the most valuable gifts of life. Pursuing passions and curiosities is the stuff that dreams should be made of. Summer is one of the few times in life when this can be cultivated and curated. Tutoring is the perfect way to encourage such learning.If any of these apply to your student, please contact us to get a personalized consultation. 

SUMMERTIME DISCOUNT FOR FAMILIES!

We know that summer can be a scheduling challenge between wanting down time for your family, students and self! As parents, you also know the school year comes back sooner than expected and that staying on top of skills matters.  Summer learning can fill in knowledge gaps and build confidence so that students are prepared to re-start school in earnest. Classroom learning is supported by having our amazing tutors continuing to work with your student on practice and gaining skills over break. Whatever your learner's needs are, our family summer sessions just make sense.

This July, August and September we will offer each family 10% off their total monthly bill (not including College Application Workshops) if 5-9 sessions are completed in a month, or 15% off if 10 or more sessions are completed by your family each month. We hope this will make your vacation planning, school year readiness and budget feel good about what comes next. Let us know if you have any questions!

SUMMER ENRICHMENT 2023

Liddane tutors stand out for engaging and empowering learners - a great fit for a summer of ramping back up for school. Whether you’re preparing for a hard math class or looking for a safe summer camp, private tutoring offers flexible and, yes, even fun summer enrichment activities that are still full of high-quality learning.

 [button url="http://www.liddanetutoring.com/events#signup"]Register for summer classes here

[/button]Looking for live support? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.School didn’t exactly go as planned this year. Maybe COVID-era online classes were confusing, complicated, or vague, and the year ended up much harder than you thought. On the other hand, maybe a class was suspiciously easy, and you’re wondering if your student is ready for a return to regular school with full homework, hard deadlines, and no more pass/fails. Either way, summer 2021 is an opportunity to reset and get back on track towards lifelong learning through enrichment opportunities.

Summer learning can fill in knowledge gaps and build confidence so that students are prepared to re-start school in earnest. However, it can also bring up a number of questions. How to stay flexible while the public health restrictions are still in flux? What to study and how much? How to balance getting outside, seeing friends, taking vacations, and a much-needed overall break with the looming worries of catch-up?

 Families are understandably looking into a wide variety of options for summer activities that are also meaningful learning opportunities. On top of the usual challenges of finding direction, structure, and flexibility, there’s still uncertainty about business re-openings and safety measures for group gatherings. If you’re weighing Liddane Tutoring vs. online classes, summer camps, or large tutoring companies, here are some factors to consider in whether we’re the right fit.

FIND A TRUSTED ADVISOR

Most families who choose Liddane Tutoring cite the emphasis on a strong personal relationship as the most important reason for their choice. If students have a hard time engaging in class or are looking to re-engage with their love of learning, Liddane tutors stand out for empowering students and often become trusted advisors, mentors, and coaches over time. This consistency and in-depth personal attention continue to be of benefit when working online. 

WHAT TO STUDY, AND HOW MUCH?

Another factor to weigh is the personalized instruction that a student may need. A teacher may be able to help with identifying gaps in a student’s skill set and providing suggestions for summer studying. If a student is a strong independent learner, they may be able to take a self-assessment through a Khan Academy course. But even advanced learners may be frustrated if they’re spinning their wheels. For others, feeling stuck may be so frequent that they’re tempted to give up. If a student has been missing problems or assignments, it can take some investigation to identify the specific reason, and thus find the right solution. Tutors frequently work with students in math, for example, to identify whether they need to work on reading comprehension for word problems, spotting what formula applies to the situation, or the understanding of an algebra concept itself. It might also be a matter of taking effective notes or setting up efficient homework sessions to absorb the material. 

Assessing the student’s needs and guiding them through a step-by-step plan helps keep summer study realistic and manageable. Getting support from an education expert can help strike a balance between a parent’s fears of “nothing at all” and a student’s fears of “every waking hour” for study on the summer calendar. With direction, families are better able to plan appropriately for next steps. 

STRUCTURE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN GETTING IT DONE

Once you’ve determined that some summer learning is a good idea, it’s important to set up structure to make sure it materializes! Often, a plan that we hope to do “sometime” turns into “never” if it isn’t given a time, a date, and a place. After a year of remote school, it’s even more clear that personal attention can make the difference between students showing up or checking out - physically and mentally.

If it sounds like a battle to negotiate the who, what, when, where, and how of accountability, independent study or large remote classes may also be a challenge. A tutor can step in to help. 

FLEXIBILITY IS KEY

If you’re thinking of signing up for classes but holding out until you know if that long-awaited vacation will happen, engaging a private tutor may offer both the structure and the flexibility you need. Cancellations for private sessions may be made up to 48 hours in advance, and rescheduling may be done with your tutor directly once you are paired. Our tutors are not tied to rigid curricula and can tailor lessons to adjust to personal strengths and needs. Flexibility involves many pieces, from rescheduling to time slots, but can also include the ability to meet online to avoid transportation hassles. By connecting with a local tutor in the Seattle area, the option for face-to-face sessions may be available once COVID restrictions are lifted, as well.

 Flexible, short term classes can be especially appealing if you’re wondering about summer camps for fun enrichment opportunities but you’re unsure about making a long commitment to a rigid schedule. Our tutors offer fun classes in their favorite topics - like chess, music theory, philosophy, journalism, Dungeons & Dragons, movie reviews, horror stories, and more - all summer long. Many of these fun classes allow drop-ins or private sessions to accommodate changes in summer schedules.

[button url="http://www.liddanetutoring.com/events#signup"]Sign up here[/button]Whether it’s studying for a hard math class or summer enrichment, contact us today to find the right tutor for you.

WHAT DOES SUMMER TUTORING LOOK LIKE?

 Many people think that tutoring is defined as help with homework, but that’s not true. So, what are the possibilities of working with a tutor in the summer?

While we appreciate the playful lightness that summer should bring, working with a tutor in the summer can also be a very positive experience. For those who enjoy reading or writing, a tutor can explore genres, encourage creativity, and answer questions that often take a backseat during the hectic pace of the school year. Tutors can teach students how to take notes, to annotate text, and practice the art of thesis statement writing. They can provide feedback on writing that is specifically directed toward students’ needs. With a tutor, students may read short stories and explore the nuances of good writing. They might set reading goals and discuss book topics, run book groups, or work on adding sensory detail to storylines. The possibilities are many and co-creating with students helps with buy-in and engagement.

The beauty of summer tutoring is that sessions can be completely individualized. Times and dates are much more flexible than they are for organized classes or book groups. Vacation weeks can be accommodated, and students can double up during less busy weeks. 

The other advantage of summer tutoring is that it gives students a chance to review or preview content and realize their potential. Especially in the wake of online learning and all that the Covid pandemic has meant for schools, many students have a weak understanding of some part of the curriculum. Issues seem especially prevalent in the area of math. Were you first learning about fractions when school switched to online? Did you learn algebra while distracted by the upheaval and you’re now realizing that your knowledge is shaky? Re-taking an entire third grade math or algebra course isn’t likely necessary. After all, you do understand the basics. But if you were able to review numerators and denominators and x+y=z with a tutor, you could skip over the pieces you absorbed the first time around and fully focus on the parts that you missed. A tutor can encourage you to change mixed numbers into fractions and figure out the slope on a graph as many times as it takes to master it. No shame, no stupid questions, no pressure. It’s summer, so there is time. Tutors work to build confidence so that students return to school feeling empowered and ready for the next steps.

Summer is a time for intellectual exploration and tutoring can be used like a personalized “camp.” Setting up a schedule that fits, tutors can help students learn about percentages and ratios or how to explore topics that they find interesting. Would you like to research a topic like cars, artists, beekeepers, or World War II? Summer allows the freedom to learn for the sake of learning rather than for the sake of school, and tutors can empower students along the way.If you are interested in learning more about what summer tutoring could mean for your student, please reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

GAIN CONFIDENCE IN ENGLISH THIS SUMMER

Liddane’s ESL Coordinator, Alex, used to live and teach English in Paris. The school where she worked wanted her to always use English, her social interactions were largely limited to the American expat community, and so she struggled to gain the fluency in French that would have allowed her to pursue the activities and opportunities she desired. “There were all these things I wanted to get involved with,” she says, “but I wasn’t confident enough in my speaking abilities. I was even nervous to order at my local bakery, because I was worried I’d say the wrong thing or come off as rude.”

Now, with 20 years of experience teaching ESL, Alex helps English learners of all backgrounds reach their language goals. Seattle is home to many communities of non-native English speakers, who are often here as working professionals or family members of working professionals. In Alex’s experience, these individuals often have some English proficiency, but they may not have the confidence, for example, to ask questions to their child’s pediatrician, speak to administrators at a child’s school, or join a new club. Similarly, many single professionals only date and socialize within their own language communities if they feel they can’t express themselves in English. LTLS helps to empower anyone who isn’t as active as they’d like to be because English proficiency holds them back.

Liddane’s ESL approach is 100% tailored to individual needs and desires. If spoken fluency is someone’s main goal, our tutors will design a lesson plan around oral and aural skills, with less emphasis on written grammar and punctuation. Tutors will often start by getting to know a client’s interests and strengths, and then branch out from there. For example, if someone is on a recreational sports team or is interested in attending more sporting events, that can serve as an entry point for a whole range of conversation skills. Then, as tutors get to know their clients, they will target specific areas for improvement, such as pronunciation, vocabulary, or modifying tone.

It’s difficult to express yourself if you’re not confident in the language. Our goal is to empower English learners to advocate for themselves and their families, and to engage as fully as possible with all the opportunities and communities English communities have to offer. For more information or to schedule a session with one of our tutors, please contact us at info@liddanetutoring.com.