MCPS 9th Grade - Need Tutor

[Anonymous]

Our DC is struggling mightily in 9th grade in science, math, English, and even history. He does the homework but does terrible on tests.

Looking for a tutor to help with multiple subjects and teach better strategies for studying.

Looking for someone probably 3 days a week for an hour each session.

Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Where are you located? What school and what level of Science, Math and History?

[Anonymous]

For HS, you’re better off with multiple tutors. Pick experts in each subject, rather than a generalist.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. W HS in Bethesda area.
Geometry, Biology, US History.

[Anonymous]

I agree that you need multiple tutors. However, you may really want to begin with parent-teacher conferences. Your school guidance counselor can set this up for you. Have the teachers explain to you how they expect your child to be studying for the tests. In geometry, if your child is motivated, he can probably use Khan Academy for extra practice. In history, is your child missing facts on multiple choice questions or big concepts in essays? Ditto for Biology. Is history APUSH or honors? You may need someone to create practice quizzes or tests before the real ones occur. I did this as a tutor with a few students and it really helped them to feel more confident on the real tests. Honestly, you could probably do this, too. Is your child spending at least 2 hours every day on concentrated homework/studying? Has your child ever had trouble in school before? What are his strengths?

[Anonymous]

You also may consider testing for 504. Executive coach may help with organization.

[Anonymous]

Find an MCPS teacher who tutors. It costs more but is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find an MCPS teacher who tutors. It costs more but is worth it.

An MCPS teacher is especially needed when the curriculum has not textbook. Geometry would definitely fall in that category. Biology probably falls into that category, too. PS - for science, I really encourage students to preview and review topics with "Amoeba Sisters" videos. Look them up - they're cute! For AP level science, students would benefit from Bozeman Science videos and Crash Course videos.

[Anonymous]

For geometry, I highly recommend Khan Academy tutorials.

I'd also check out the app Quizlet. Your dc can create study quizzes to test themselves before class tests. Many MCPS teachers use quizlet to make test prep help for their students and they are available to anyone on the app. There is a search function in the app to find MCPS teacher created quizzes.

I think chatting/emailing with teachers and guidance counselor sounds like a great idea to find out exactly what your student's trouble spots are. The GC can help create a plan of action with the student and teachers to help keep your dc on track.

Good luck.
Good luck to your student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. W HS in Bethesda area.
Geometry, Biology, US History.

For MATH here is a list of MCPS teachers who will tutor -

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/rmhs/departments/math/2018-2019%20Adult%20Tutor%20List(1).xlsx

This list is updated each year at the Richard Montgomery HS website. Search under "ACADEMICS" > "MATH" and then look at the right side navigation bar.

Why is US History hard? I feel your child may need help with time management and other study skills.

[Anonymous]

Is your child going in during lunch and after school for help from his teachers?

Also, can he retake any of the tests?

[Anonymous]

Is US History AP or Honors? If AP, then know that most kids struggle at first (even those who end up with As) due to the speed they are covering and style of the exams, which is very different from middle school. Depending on how much DC is struggling, you might find out about moving down to Honors USH (much slower, and very similar to MS material/tests). My DC spent 90% of study time on APUSH, leaving not much time to study the other subjects. So making that change could help the other courses, as well.

I also second the Quizlet suggestions-- DC used it weekly to study APUSH-- good for memorizing/quizzing on facts. There are pre-made quizzes available to work from. And Khan Academy is great for math. Perhaps in addition to a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find an MCPS teacher who tutors. It costs more but is worth it.

This. Sister got an mcps math teacher to tutor her dc and she got an A in her math class that she was failing. The teacher was not from the same school as her dc, but lived in their neighborhood and tutored our of her basement office in her home. She was pricey, but got results.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. Just to clarify, DC is in Honors level for Geometry, Biology and History.

Thanks for the list of math tutors from other schools. I think I recall hearing that you are not allowed to use tutors that are currently teaching at the HS your child attends.

I agree that the History struggles are more organizational issues.

I suspect finding someone to help with English and Biology will be much more difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. W HS in Bethesda area.
Geometry, Biology, US History.

For MATH here is a list of MCPS teachers who will tutor -

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/rmhs/departments/math/2018-2019%20Adult%20Tutor%20List(1).xlsx

This list is updated each year at the Richard Montgomery HS website. Search under "ACADEMICS" > "MATH" and then look at the right side navigation bar.

Why is US History hard? I feel your child may need help with time management and other study skills.

Are there similar lists for MCPS teachers who will tutor Spanish?