Peer Tutoring San Elijo Middle School
Fall Semester 2013/2014 Report
Program Overview
The Peer Tutoring Program is part of RISE, our school community’s concerted
effort to provide effective interventions that cause struggling students to succeed
at school.
46 Peer Tutors (44 seventh graders and 2 eighth graders) work 1 to1,
encouraging, reinforcing study skills, reviewing concepts, and cheering on the
successes of struggling students in various classrooms each day on our campus. A
unique aspect of this program is the warm friendships and encouragement of
peers for students who may be struggling socially and emotionally as well as
academically. MANY TIMES A STUDENT CAN DO WHAT WE ADULTS CANNOT:
MAKE A STUDENT FEEL SOCIALLY AT EASE AND MOTIVATED TO EXCEL
ACADEMICALLY.
After a 4 week training period, Peer Tutors began working 1 to 1 (or with small
groups as directed by the classroom teacher) with their tutees in the classroom.
Before they began tutoring, Peer Tutors were trained to lower the affective filter
(i.e. be friendly and break the ice), use clear and positive communication, keep
tutees focused on the task, celebrate the successes and overcome the set-backs,
and in every interaction, WORK TOWARDS THE GOAL OF THE TUTEE REACHING
SELF-DIRECTED INDEPENDENCE. The training was a concerted effort between
Kate Baer, the Peer Tutoring Teacher-Advisor, and the counseling department.
Peer Tutors were matched to struggling students identified by the counseling
departments and classroom teachers.
Some Student Success Stories from our Peer Tutors:
“My tutee was not getting his basic grammar so I helped him, and he finally broke
through and knew the answers. It made me feel really good that I helped a kid
learn. I tried techniques like leading him to the answer and helping him get to the
“aha” moment.” –Nick
“This week I helped my tutee clean out his backpack, and then I helped him with
his book project. The high point was when he finished his book project. It works
when I make it fun, but keep it serious.” –Diana
“I helped my tutee with spelling and editing her stories. The high point was having
the feeling that I helped someone and made a difference in her life. I helped her
realize that she was smart. She just needed a little push.” –Gracey
“The high point of the week was when my tutee finally understood how to add
integers. I learned that students like when you use encouraging words.”
–
Tyler
“The student that I work with mainly has trouble focusing and taking in
information he needs to learn. The high point of this week for me was when he
got an A on his Chapter Test! I was so excited and happy for him: it made my
day!” –Sidney
“I helped the student with her Benchmark Study Guide. I told her the instructions
and explained clearly how to do it. The best part of the week was seeing her
smile! I learned not to go too fast. She said she learned a lot and I was a good
tutor.” –Jordan
“The student I Peer Tutor is very kind and speaks mostly Spanish. I helped her to
finish her book and her book project. I also helped her rethink spelling of words. I
also helped her with grammar. The high point of this week was she started to
understand more English.” –Faith
“We have been working on how to do Cornell notes properly and what things he
should include. He has improved greatly and can now do them almost with no
help. I learned to be really patient. I found that if I am fun, happy, and
encouraging, it really can make my tutee want to work harder and make him feel
more comfortable.” –Pheobe
“The high point of the week was when my tutee finally said, ‘I get it.’ I told one kid
a trick on how to make the problem easier. When I told him that trick I learned, it
seemed to come easier to him.” –Tyler
“I am a Peer Tutor in Mrs. Dudley’s classroom. On Monday’s and Wednesday’s I
help students with Adaptive P.E. I lead the students and model different skills. My
high point of the week was forming a friendship with a girl in the class. She is so
sweet and always goes around to the teachers and says that I’m her friend!” –
Dana
Conclusion
Our program builds the confidence and leadership skills of our tutors, while our
students who receive tutoring gain confidence, academic success, and a sense of
acceptance and belonging in our school community. The Peer Tutoring Program
is an integral component of the concerted effort to help all students be successful
at San Elijo Middle School.
Kate Baer
Peer Tutor Advisor
San Elijo Middle School