A Day in the Life of an Online Reading Tutor

by | Apr 19, 2019 | Home

A Day in the Life of an Online Reading Tutor

As the title states, this is about a day in the life of an online reading tutor. That’s right I am an online reading tutor if you haven’t guessed already. I have been tutoring in my community for just about six years now and the past two have included mainly online services. I currently have twelve online reading students across the United States but that is not all.

Time for an update

Update November 2021 Since I wrote this article so many things have changed. So I am updating this article. As I mentioned I have been an online reading tutor since 2017, but prior to that, I was a Special Educator with a Masters and even before that worked in a Preschool for Children with Disabilities (PCSD) on Misawa AB, Japan. 

So the day begins…

On a normal day I get up at 4:00 am whether or not I have a student at 4:30. That way I can keep a little bit of regularity to my schedule.  What do I do so early in the morning? Well, for the past three years I have been teaching children in China with a company called VIPKID.

They are always hiring qualified teachers so click the link below and you will be able to contribute to household expenses even before everyone else’s day has begun. I love it! It is quiet, I get to see some amazing smiling faces every day.

Qualifications

First and foremost you need to have a permanent smile. Some days this is harder than others it is 4 AM. Actually, you need to have at least a bachelors degree and their requirements have changed this year about having a teaching degree of some kind. If you can show that you have classroom experience in some way.  Then there is the interview process. 

 Update: November 2021 The Minister of Education recently has made it against the law for children to recieve extra tutoring. So VIPKID is no longer allowing us to teach. 

 

Teaching for VIPKID

Next part of my day…

It is still early but the next part of my day I would not change for the world. I know a few of you know that I am a grandma (Oma) to an amazing 4-year-old little boy. Who just went through the potty training fun time! Thanks to my daughter’s help! Four days a week he goes to preschool for two and a half hours. Yep, every minute counts. (Update: Almost 7 year old and in 1st grade.

Grandma time…

I have just started this but on three days a week at least I go work out. They opened a Planet Fitness in my town and I started slow but I do 30 minutes on the elliptical. It works the arms and legs both at the same time. I keep remembering watching the Biggest Loser on tv. I have even cooked a few recipes in this cookbook The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You: Lose Weight and Get Healthy For Life!

On Monday’s I have decided to do Facebook Lives to share some of the things I am doing with my business, answer questions about online tutoring and any questions you may have about reading. If you are interested go to my Facebook site and hit notifications and the like button so you will know when I go LIVE.

UPdate:

Well, exercise has been a bit difficult for me. I forgot to mention in March 2020, the world pandemic shuts everything down. COVID, ugh!

What happens next…

Well, Oma time is over for a bit.  I go to school to pick up my favorite sidekick. We normally just head home and have lunch and watch a movie. His favorite changes on a daily basis.  Now that Summer is around the corner our schedule will definitely change. 

We have fun together sometimes running errands or just hanging out together. 

Back to work…

My evening and Saturday tutoring schedules fluctuate.  Monday – Thursday I tutor 4 – 8 pm and on Saturday I tutor for 10 – 3. I love it! I would not change anything right now in my schedule. I guess based upon the year. During the school year, it is the same as mentioned. When Summer comes I do a reading Adventure.

(Update: since my grandson is in the 1st grade now I am able to work with homeschool families a couple days a week. I still work evening hours but I do take Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off)

 

 

Good night…

After tutoring and kitchen is cleaned up I am able to sit and relax for a short time before I hit the hay. I try not to stay up too much past  9 PM. Then the day starts all over again.

I hope you enjoyed my story! I plan on adding a video that actually shows the day in the life of an online reading tutor. 

As you may have figured out this is my version. Other reading tutors that you may know or have worked with, their day is completely different. Being able to work at home and do what I love there are just no words. 

Thank you and have a wonderful day! See you soon 🙂

 

 

Multiple Intelligence’s, What Are They?

by | Dec 6, 2018 | Home

Multiple Intelligences, What are they? Have you ever wondered how your child learns? Or even what is the best way for your child to learn? Some children struggle with just reading and not math. Some struggle in math and not reading. How do you help the child who struggled in both? Have you ever wondered what is the best way for my child to learn?

Every child does learn differently. As a parent of four children, I could tell each one learned at their own pace and their own style. As I was in college and reading Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong (2000) I learned there are many different ways to help support children within the classroom setting.

As I expand my business to include courses this is one of the areas I will be sharing. I will be including how to best help your child based on Multiple Intelligence’s. Sign up below to receive updates on when the first course will be ready for you to register for. I am excited to be able to help children and families this way.

          

  • Linguistic – the ability to use words effectively both orally and in writing. Some examples of these individuals would include storytellers, an editor or a journalist. 
  • Logical-Mathematical – the ability to use numbers effectively and to be able to reason well. A tax accountant,  statistician, and a computer programmer are a few examples mentioned. 
  • Spatial – the ability to perceive the visual-spatial work accurately (hunter, scout, or guide) and to perform transformations on those perceptions (interior designer, artist or an inventor) 
  • Bodily-Kinesthetic – the expertise of using one’s body to express ideas and feelings ( actor, dancer, or an athlete) and facility in using one’s hands to produce or transform things (sculpture, mechanic, or surgeon) This intelligence does require certain physical skills such as coordination, balance, and strength. 
  • Musical – the ability to perceive, discriminate, transform, musical forms. This includes sensitivity to the rhythm, pitch or melody of the music. Composers, musicians, critic, or even a music aficionado are included in this group. 
  • Interpersonal – The ability to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations, and felling of other individuals.
  • Intrapersonal – Self-knowledge and the ability to act adaptively on the basis of that knowledge. Being able to understand oneself (strengths and weaknesses) awareness of inner moods and the capacity for self-discipline. 
  • Naturalist – Expertise in the recognition and classification of numerous species of the individual’s environment. This includes the environment one lives in and to discriminate between different items (urban setting to pastures and mountains). Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom (2000)

Just a snippet of courses and early enrollment

Courses that will begin to appear are:

Basics of helping your struggling reader

Phonics

Sight Words

Spelling

Comprehension  and Vocabulary

Sign Up Now to receive updates!

Basics of helping your struggling reader is now open!
Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom
How Your Child Is Smart: A Life-Changing Approach to Learning

4 Awesome books for that struggling reluctant reader.

by | Nov 19, 2018 | Home

Is there a difference between a struggling and a reluctant reader?

You may wondering what is the difference between a reluctant or a struggling reader.  A reluctant reader is a child who does not enjoy reading. They may be a little below grade level but not drastically. Here is a perfect article I found Learning How to Read: 10 Ways to Help a Reluctant Reader (Parenting, 2018) The struggling reader is someone who needs some early intervention. Reading Rockets is one of my go-to websites to find information that I provide for parents and teachers alike.

 

Recently, I was asked by a parent that I tutor, “What are some good chapter books?” So I let her know which ones I enjoy but for a child who struggles with reading these four were my first suggestions.

*affiliate links are being used in this post.

 

Henry and Mudge

Henry and his dog Mudge enter a snowman contest in this nineteenth Ready-to-Read book of their adventures. Written by Cynthia Rylant

Henry sees a sign about a snowman contest in the park! Can Henry, his father, and his big dog Mudge come up with the best snowman plan to win the contest?

Magic Treehouse

The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! The author is Mary Pope Osborne

Where did the tree house come from?

Amelia Bedelia

Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper. Written by Peggy Parish

From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her to do. If things get a bit mixed up, well, that’s okay. When Amelia Bedelia is involved, everything always turns out perfectly in the end! This Level 2 I Can Read is perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

“No child can resist Amelia [Bedelia] and her literal trips through the minefield of the English language—and no adult can fail to notice that she’s usually right when she’s wrong.”—The New York Times Book Review

Hank Zipzer Series

Here’s Henry is only one in a series of stories written by Henry Winkler

Hank stars the same Hank as in the bestselling Hank Zipzer series, only this time he’s in 2nd grade! Hank is a kid who doesn’t try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He’s pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) In the first book in this new series, Hank’s class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition and can only buzz like a fly. His teacher creates a special part for Hank, a silent bookmark. This may seem like an insignificant role, but when his enemy, Nick McKelty, freezes during the performance, it’s up to Hank to save the play!

Recently, while catching up on my Facebook posts. A group I follow to help support children with dyslexia called Dyslexia Support – for parents of dyslexic children mentioned that they purchased some Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book recently for their child and they could not put it down.

A recent post that was written by Beth Sullivan, Reading and Writing Tutor she shared Do Graphic Novels count as “real reading?”

Beth states, that there are some up and downsides to graphic novels. However, as the parent that was looking for a book that would grab and keep their reluctant reader’s attention, I would say try it. As I tell my parents who ask, “what are some good books for my child?”  I always mention you need to first see if the book is at their level.

Available now on Amazon is my eBook “Just Right” Books, helping your child become a successful reader.  Or go to our Resource Page

 

 

 

 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 12 Books Complete Collection Set Box of Books NEW Edition. Description: Titles in this collection: Diary Of a Wimpy Kid Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Rodrick Rules Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Last Straw Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Ugly Truth Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Cabin Fever Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Third Wheel Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Hard Luck Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Old School Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Double Down Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Do-It-Yourself Book

12 + 9 =

Celebrating Our 5th Birthday!

by | Oct 31, 2018 | Home

I cannot believe it is our 5th birthday/anniversary whichever word you want to use. In November 2013 I began

Castle Rock Tutoring in Castle Rock, Colorado

It is now 2018, and so many things have changed. In the beginning, I was tutoring at the library (which I still do) and at students homes. That limited the number of students I could help. With travel time, carrying all of the tools that I needed for each student. I always wanted to include online students into the mix. Last year I decided to narrow down who I chose to work with and add online. I marketed and changed my name (sort of I guess) to Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor. 

I took a leap of faith and asked one of my current families to give it a try. It worked, and I fell in love with the fact I can tutor children in reading over the computer. Currently, I see children all across the United States from Florida to California. I have seen many of them close their gaps in reading very quickly depending upon the child and their needs.

If you know of a child who struggles with reading (phonics, spelling, vocabulary), click the button below and fill out the information and I will contact you within 24 hours.

Student Registration

When I first started tutoring I thought this was a way to continue to help children in my community who struggled in school. As a certified Special Educator, I wanted to help all children in all areas. I continue to do my professional development but instead of focusing on many subjects I decided to condense my knowledge into reading. I took a Reading Interventionist course. This showed me how I could do tutoring online.

Thank You, Joanne Kaminski, Business Coach for Online Tutors

 Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor Resource Page

A resource page is being developed with many items that I use with my students as well as items that fellow tutors and families have shared. Visit the page and see if there is anything you would like or needs to be added.

 

 

 

 

During our birthday month, we will be having Friday Freebies! Every Friday during the month if you are on our email list you will be receiving a Freebie.

 

Friday Freebie Registration

 

 

Last but not least, just as my front page says I am always updating and trying new things so that my students and now others can increase their reading skills. I am developing a course that will help parents learn just that. Stay tuned I will definitely let you know when it is up and ready!

The Best Websites I Use During Online Tutoring

by | Sep 27, 2018 | Home

Whether it is helping your child study a weekly spelling list, understand those vocabulary words or even help them to read those books that they so badly want to read. As a tutor, I offer website and app suggestions to help children who struggle. Not only the families that I work with but families that just need help and have reached out for suggestions. Here I am listing several of the sites I have shared,

 

Raz Kids this website is a paid site. As a tutor I provide a FREE subscription to families I work with, The stories are for children in K – 6, but if a child is struggling they will not be reading at their grade level. This provides students the ability to read at their level, become successful and confident with what they are reading as they move through the different levels. I have seen so many of my students close the gap and become excited about reading. Raz Kids may already be in your child’s school setting. Many of the students I have worked with have said they know about this site. It offers like I mentioned books at their level. After each story, there is either a 5 or 10 question quiz.  I do suggest that children read at least one story a night and that parents listen to their child read and help them go through the quiz if they do not understand the question.

 

Education.com is a site that I provide frequently to parents and even other tutors looking for resources to help the children they work with.  This site has popular searches, worksheets, and more. The grades range from Preschool – 5th grade. Again if your child is struggling they may not be working at their exact grade level until they begin to close that gap. I want to make sure those holes are filled in before we make it even harder to get them to move forward and become confident readers and learners. Did I mention this site offers both math and English concepts?

 

ReadWorks   It has it’s own YouTube Channel.  Even The National Education Association lists it on their website for a good resource for teachers. Read Works can be used digitally, projected in the classroom setting and as a printout. I use it in my tutoring services as another format for parents to help their child widen the vocabulary and comprehension skills. In my sessions, I ensure that the student understands what is happening to help them achieve success. They know that they need to do their part as well. Read Works supplements a classroom for grades K – 12. Teachers can track each student. It also supports students in ELL and Special Education by providing less complex articles and audio versions. Did I mention that this site is FREE? It’s amazing!

 

Vocabulary Spelling City is new to me but what I have seen it works. I chose the FREE site so that I can help my students with their spelling and vocabulary lessons during our sessions in a fun and creative way.  Spelling City is offered for free, to families and to schools. Once you learn how to navigate the site there is a list of grade level spelling words and academic vocabulary words. These words can be used in a game to make it fun. So that they are learning and having fun! I will provide an update as time goes on and I use it more frequently with my students.

 

Reading Rockets is brought to you by WETA broadcasting. This site offers support for teachers and for struggling readers. Reading Rockets has videos, stories, a blog to search for any questions you may have. Fun stuff for teachers, parents and children alike.

 

A few of the students I work with do not only struggle with reading but they also struggle in math. The following math site I use and share.

XtraMath is for students who may know their facts but need to pick up fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It is a program to help increase the fluency and accuracy of those problems. It starts with addition depending upon grade level and knowledge of facts.

 

 

Blogs That I Follow

This Reading Mama (affiliate link) is for the younger reader. She has an assortment of items to choose from; printable items, spelling, phonics, and even APPS she has developed. Awesome ideas for homeschool families and teachers alike. Becky is a homeschool mom and shares this blog and store for so many of us to use and enjoy!

Become An Online Tutor Blog this is where I get most of my information pertaining to my business. If you are new to tutoring this is a great resource.

 

 

3 Secrets To Get Online Students