How to Know When a Sixth Grader Needs a Tutor

When a child reaches sixth grade, he is either in his last year of elementary school or just starting middle school. If he appears do be doing well in school, you can rest easy. However, if problems arise, a tutor can correct the situation. The key is to know when you need to call a tutor for help. The steps below describe when to call a tutor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Monitoring the Situation from the Start

1. Let the teacher know that you are very much involved with your child's education, and offer your assistance and support. Get reading lists and outlines of lesson plans if they are available. Ask for the teacher's phone numbers and email addresses while you offer yours. Find out when is the best time to call him.

2. Look at your daughter's schoolwork to see if it matches the lesson plans and reading lists. Also, see if it is organized, neat and well planned. If the homework doesn't seem to match the lesson plans or reading list, talk to your child about this and see if there is a sound reason. If the schoolwork is disorganized or no homework is around, then action needs to be taken.

3. Read the report cards. If he does well in some subjects but poorly in others, for example, scoring really high in math but low in language arts, meet with the teacher and see if it is time to call a tutor.

4. Talk with the teacher on a regular basis. Let her know you are interested in how your child is doing. Consider joining the PTA or volunteer for field trips. Try to catch the problem before you get notes or calls that your child is falling behind.

Child's Indications

5. Watch and see if he misses quiz or test dates. If he never feels like going to school when the going gets tough--days of a quiz or test-- you need to step in and find out what is happening. Meet with the teacher and discuss the option of hiring a tutor.

6. Notice if she likes to read for pleasure and not as a chore or school assignment. A child that enjoys reading for pleasure is a good indicator. Reward her. "Castle in the Attic," :Little House on the Prairie," "Amy Moves In" and "Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You" are some pleasure reading books to consider.

7. Talk to the sixth grader's friends. See what their interests are. If they talk about computer games, sports, shopping or car racing, everything but schoolwork or homework, that is an indication you need to talk and look at how your child is doing in school.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your child's understanding of the different subjects being taught in sixth grade. See if he knows what fractions are or what a prime number is.
• Encourage your sixth grader to invite her friends over to do homework together. Then you can watch to see if she is doing her homework without being too pushy.

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