Journal Assignments

Journal Assignment Sheet (Option A & B)

Instructions: Before the due date, e-mail your journal to your Sr. Tutor, with a copy to Diana (alvesdelimadiana@fhda.edu) and to your supervisor (kastelicjeannie@fhda.edu, belllaura@fhda.edu, or blackborowsandra@fhda.edu). In the Subject line of the e-mail, write "Journal #" your name and the appropriate number (1-4).

Your Senior Tutor (or Supervisor or Coordinator) will respond to your journals in writing or by e-mail by the next class session.

The purpose of keeping a tutoring journal is to reflect on your tutoring experiences. Write your journal as soon as possible after you tutor so you can remember the details of the session. Journal entries should be at least 2-3 paragraphs, but feel free to write more if you are inspired!

Don't worry too much about spelling and grammar: the content and depth of your reflection is what is important. Try to be specific, give examples or quotes, and relate your experiences to concepts we have discussed in tutor training when possible.

The topics listed below are merely suggestions for starting points. Feel free to address the basic questions, but also feel free to write about other tutoring topics you think are important, ask questions, or bring up problems. The journal should help you think about and improve your tutoring.

Journal Entry #1 (E-mail by class session #1, Friday of Week 4)
Write about your first tutoring session(s). You may choose to focus on one student or several. Some questions to consider:

• What were your first impressions of your student(s)?
• How did you establish trust with your student(s)?
• What did you learn about your student(s) strengths and weakness?
• What are your expectations for future sessions?

Journal Entry #2 (E-mail by class session #2,Friday of Week 5)
Describe the "cycle" of one of your tutoring sessions (Use a specific session with a specific student.)

• How did you begin and set the agenda for the session?
• What techniques did you use during the middle of the session?
• How did you end the session and evaluate progress?
• What was successful about the session and what was not?

Journal Entry #3 (E-mail by class session #3, Friday of Week 6)
Reflect on how you can help your student(s) study the subject area you are tutoring. Use real students as examples.

• What concepts give students the most trouble?
• What methods have you used explain difficult concepts?
• What strategies do you use to study this subject?
• How can you encourage your student(s) to try new strategies when they study this subject?

Journal Entry #4 (E-mail by class session #4, Friday of Week 7)
Describe the progress of one of your tutees.

• In what areas did the student improve?
• How did you help?
• What was successful and what was not about your tutoring relationship?
• What advice would you give to someone who might tutor this student in the future?