The Tutorial Process
What are Tutorials?
Tutorials are a time for students to
collaborate and help one another with
questions they are having in academic
classes.
How Often Do Tutorials
Occur?
Tutorials are typically scheduled either on:
Mondays & Wednesdays
or
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Taking Notes in Class
Students take Cornell Notes from lectures,
videos, presentations, textbooks, etc. in their
academic classes.
Preparing for Tutorials
At home, students
complete side 1 of
the Tutorial Request
Form (TRF) which
includes a higher
level question from
their academic
classes, Cornell
notes, homework,
class work, quizzes,
or tests
Example:
English
Example:
Algebra
Example:
Geometry
Example:
Social Studies
Example:
U.S. History
Example:
Chemistry
Example:
Physics
Developing Level 2 & 3
Questions
Questions for tutorials should be level 2 or 3 questions.
Level 2 or 3 questions are not required for math.
Hint: If the questions can be answered simply by
looking in your book or your notes, it is probably a level
1 question. You may use the following handout for help
developing level 2 & 3 questions.
Collecting Tutorial Sheets
As students enter the AVID classroom, the AVID
teacher or an AVID Tutor collects the Tutorial
Request Forms (TRFs). TRFs are the “golden
tickets” required to enter class.
Scoring Tutorial Sheets
•AVID Tutors
score side 1 of the
TRFs.
•If the TRF is
turned in late, the
AVID tutor will
deduct 10 points
from the total
score.
X
Revising Cornell Notes
For the first 15
minutes of tutorials
(twice per week),
you will spend time
revising your Cornell
notes from all of
your classes and
exchanging ideas
with other students.
During this time the
AVID tutors will
score and sort your
TRFs.
Cornell Note Revision Symbols
Symbol
1,2,3 or
A, B, C
Revision
Number the notes for each new concept or main idea
Key Word
Circle vocabulary or key terms in pencil
Main Idea
Highlight or underline main ideas in pencil
^
Unimportant
?
*
Visual or
Symbol
Fill in missing information or reword in red pen
Cross out unimportant information in red pen
Identify points of confusion
Identify information to be used on a test, essay, or tutorial
Create a visual or symbol for important information
Forming Tutorial Groups
TRFs are divided into groups by an AVID Tutor
based on the types of questions.
Chemistry
Geometry
English
Choosing Student Tutors
• One student from
each tutorial group
will be assigned
the role of Student
Tutor.
• Student Tutors
help facilitate the
tutorial process
and calls students
to present their
questions on the
white board.
X
Getting Into Tutorial Groups
The AVID Teacher or an AVID Tutor calls the
names of each student who is in the chemistry
group, for example, and assigns them a location
to work. This step is repeated for each group.
Presenting the Questions
• Students present their
questions to the group one
at a time by writing them
on a white board.
• Students give a 30
second speech to explain
what they know up until
their point of confusion.
• Then group members
and the AVID tutor ask
questions to help the
students with their
questions.
White Board Set-up
Write Point of Confusion (P.O.C.) Here
Write
Notes Here
Write
Steps or Process
Here
How to Present a Question
1.
2.
3.
4.
Write the problem neatly on the whiteboard.
Face the group members.
Read the question out loud to the group.
Explain any prior knowledge and what you
already understand about the question.
5. Explain what strategies you used in
attempting to answer the question.
6. Indicate to your group exactly where you
became confused (P.O.C.) as you worked to
answer this question.
Questions to Ask During
Tutorials
1. Can you explain your question in another way?
2. What do you already know about the question?
3. What have you already tried?
4. Where could you find a similar problem in the book?
5. Do you have Cornell notes that may help?
6. Where could you go for more information?
7. What website might help you with your question?
8. What does ___________mean?
9. How would you graphically illustrate your process?
10. What would happen if you changed
_____________?
11. What if you tried ______________?
12. How would you teach this to a friend?
Recording Notes
Students take out a
sheet of notebook
paper and take 3column notes during
the tutorial process.
Reflections are
written on the
bottom of the 3Column notes.
Point of Confusion
Question
Tutorial
Notes
Steps or
Process
Name
AVID
Period
Date
Scoring Tutorial Sheets
AVID Tutors finish scoring the TRFs and record
the total scores on a class roster.
Finished Early?
• Do your homework. Remember that you have
a group of students available to help if you need
it!
• Write summaries for your Cornell notes
• Write questions on the left side of your notes
• Study your notes or quiz one another
• Organize your AVID binders
• Read a book silently
• Ask AVID tutors about their college experience
Role of AVID Tutors During
Tutorials
• Encourage students to ask questions of one another
• Keep the discussion going
• Make sure all students participate
• Guide students to the answer without simply supplying
the answer
• Score AVID tutorial slips at the end of each session
• Model higher order thinking questions
(level 2 & 3 questions)
• Meet with the AVID teacher at the end of the period to
discuss any concerns