What distinguishes Whole Tutoring from all other learning methods is that we look at a student as a whole individual, with anxieties and aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, habits and perceptions -- not as a storage and retrieval device for lessons. That's why we base our teaching methods on the 7 elements of successful learning:
Content
Content is what you learn in school, the stuff on tests, the raw information that can be evaluated. Our tutors are selected for their expertise in the subjects they teach, and our review courses are well researched, so students can be confident they're ready.
Strategy
Strategy refers to the
approach one uses in solving a problem or tackling an assignment. Some strategies are related to content areas (i.e. Albegra, Creative Writing, etc), some to problem types (i.e. word problems, sentence completion, etc), and others to test taking in general. A good strategy should unlock the knowledge you already have.
Focus
An unspoken fact is that successful learning only happens in an attentive state. Plummeting attention spans are a national dilemma and students' main barrier to performing at their potentials. We are the only tutoring house to tackle this problem head on, which is why our classes are appropriate for all bright students, including those with minor learning disabilities.
Organization
While students pile on harder classes and more extracurriculars each year, there is no class for juggling busy schedules… until now! We emphasize note taking tips, good planning, time management, setting goals, and finding systems that simplify your life
in everything we do, so it becomes second nature.
Routine
Routine goes hand in hand with organization. Great organizational schemes are insufficient unless you train your brain to use them from habit. Techniques as simple as setting a specific time to do homework or doing some quick relaxation breathing before tests can dramatically affect your anxiety, sense of accomplishment, and confidence.
Attitude
Attitude is knowing that you're the key factor in your learning, not your teacher, or your history with this subject, or your learning disabilities. By confronting their challenges, beliefs and habits in each class, students ' possibilities expand and they feel empowered to succeed, which is our ultimate goal.
Awareness
Awareness is the ability to take these common sense learning tools and make them your own. Students are asked to reflect on their experiences with each new concept. Through awareness, students learn what works for them and eventually how to be their own tutors!
