Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1.   How can you help my me or my child?

As an experienced and credentialed multiple-subject teacher, I have taught students with wide and varied needs. I also have been writing professionally since 1989. My professional training and experience makes me uniquely qualified to teach writing organization, content, and style, and the mechanics of grammar as well as assess learning needs; determine instructional levels where learning is most likely to occur; re-teach for remediation by implementing research-based, proven strategies for helping your child succeed in school and you succeed professionally; and help cultivate a love of learning and positive self-esteem.

 

2.   What can I expect from my child’s first session?

If your child is an elementary school student, I will begin conducting formal and informal assessments. Before beginning sessions with middle school and high school students, I speak at length with their subject-area teachers, if they are available. The types of assessments I use will depend on your child’s age and any specific requests or concerns you have. Types of assessments include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Phonological Awareness. This includes having your child detect rhymes; count syllables; match initial sounds; and count, segment, and delete phonemes.

 

Decoding and Word Attack. If your child is new to school, I will begin with checking his or her awareness of letter-name and letter-sound correspondence. Other assessments include word recognition in isolation: your child will read High-Frequency word lists and words with short and long vowels, digraphs, consonant blends, diphthongs, r- and l-controlled vowels, and multiple syllables.

 

Spelling Inventory. I will assess your child’s spelling skills to learn about his or her word knowledge and developmental stage. The results will have implications for instruction in reading, writing, vocabulary, and spelling.

 

Vocabulary. To assess vocabulary, I use the Critchlow Verbal Language Scales, which assesses a student’s vocabulary by asking the student to say the opposite of a series of words read to him or her. Measuring vocabulary provides an index of what a student has learned and how well prepared he or she is for future learning.

 

Reading Fluency and Comprehension. Your child will read a graded passage of text that I will score for fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. The results  will be used to determine your child’s instructional reading level provide  important information regarding your child’s reading behaviors.

 

3.   What’s next?

The beginning of the session following assessments will be an informal  conference with you and your child to review your child’s areas of strength and needs based on assessment performance. We also will discuss your questions, any concerns you may have, and the learning plan and strategies for helping you or your child progress.

 

4.   How often do you recommend tutoring?

The frequency of tutoring sessions will vary depending on your child’s

(or your) needs and the support he or she is receiving at home and at school. I generally recommend that students work with me twice each week. It is important that, throughout the week, your child put into practice the techniques I am teaching to reinforce them and build new learning and study habits. One session per week may be effective, especially if you are supporting your child at home.

 

5.   How will you measure my child’s progress?

I will measure your child’s progress based on his or her performance of informal and formal assessments over a period of time as well as observational changes in learning habits and skills. Your input and your child’s teacher’s feedback will be important as well, especially if I work with your child only once per week.

 

6.   What days of the week and hours do you teach?

Please call me for available days and hours.

 

7.   Where are you?

I am between Toro Park and Spreckels and just 15 minutes from many Monterey Peninsula cities.

 

8.   My child really needs individualized instruction, but I

      am not sure I can afford it. What are your rates?

My rates vary depending on the number of students I see per hour and the location. Please call me or write me at Wendy@WendyKelton.com

to discuss your particular needs.

 

9.   When is payment due?

     Payment is due upon receipt of services, and I accept cash and local 

      checks. I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full payment for  

      appointments canceled with less than a 24-hour notice will be due at

      the next session, along with payment for that session.

 

 10.   How and when will we have conferences about my  

         child’s progress?

Like my instruction, the frequency and style of progress reports will be tailored to your child’s needs and your preferences; often times, this is an informal conversation accompanied by work samples and/or updated assessment results. To see notable progress, it is important that your child regularly apply the strategies he or she learns while working with me and has the reinforcement of positive home support. You, as a parent, are your child’s first teacher.

 

“Inspiring Children and Teens to Excel”™

(831) 238-6822  ~  wendy.kelton@yahoo.com

 

Copyright © 2006-2008 by Wendy J. Kelton — All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

Serving the needs of students on the Monterey Peninsula,

including Corral de Tierra, Toro Park, and Spreckels

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy J. Kelton

Tutoring Services for Students of All Ages