Introduction

Wondering how to make the most of your teen’s tutoring sessions? The secret lies in what happens between lessons!
From keeping up with their homework to building vocabulary skills, your involvement as a parent can make all the difference in their reading and writing progress.

Here’s how you can help your teen stay on track and maximize their success.

1. Ensure Your Teen Completes Their Homework

It’s essential that students complete their assigned homework. Skipping it creates setbacks because we can’t move forward with new and slightly more challenging material.
Progress happens much more quickly when students stay on top of their work.

Encourage your teen to break up their homework into manageable chunks. For example:

• Read a little each day to avoid the last-minute rush.

• Complete writing assignments after reading, using ideas from the text to enhance their work.

2. Encourage Daily Reading

Daily reading helps students build habits and retain what they’re learning. It doesn’t have to be hours—just 10-15 minutes can make a huge difference.
This practice ensures:

• Homework is never forgotten.

• Reading doesn’t feel like a daunting task.

Bonus tip: Join in! Reading alongside your teen can be a fun and motivating way to build this habit.

3. Help Them Review Vocabulary

Building vocabulary is a cornerstone of reading and writing improvement.
I typically introduce new words every other week during lessons. Parents can help by encouraging review at home.

Here’s how:

• Use flashcards or Quizlet to reinforce definitions.

• Write sentences using the new vocabulary.

• Play games like the vocabulary part of Balderdash to make learning fun.

In tutoring sessions, I incorporate vocabulary into short stories and classroom games, but practice at home ensures these words truly stick.

4. Stay in Touch With Their Tutor

Communication is key to supporting your teen.
I provide formal progress reports three times a year—May, September, and December—but parents are always welcome to check in anytime.

Ask your tutor:

• How is my teen progressing in their reading and writing?

• Are there specific ways I can support them between lessons?

This teamwork creates a consistent support system for your teen’s success.

Final Thoughts

Your role in supporting your teen between lessons is invaluable.
By helping them stay consistent with their homework, encouraging daily reading, reviewing vocabulary, and maintaining open communication with their tutor, you’re setting them up for lasting success in reading and writing.

Small steps lead to big progress, and with your involvement, your teen will be ready to tackle any challenge!

If you’d like to learn more about how my reading and writing tutoring sessions can help your teen thrive, feel free to reach out to me! I’d love to discuss their needs and create a plan to support their growth.