Introduction

It's true that tutoring is mostly about the time actually spent in sessions; however, it's also true that part of the success of tutoring involves the work that happens between those sessions. For your teen to get the most out of their tutoring experience, they have certain responsibilities outside of our time together. Here’s what they need to do and why it’s so important for their progress.

1. Completing Assigned Reading and Writing Homework

Between sessions, your teen will have specific assignments to complete.

For reading, they’ll typically be asked to read 15–30 pages, depending on their grade level. Writing homework usually consists of 1–2 paragraphs, again adjusted for their grade. Additionally, they're expected to review their vocabulary words regularly.

I understand that your teen has schoolwork and other commitments, so I assign only a small amount of homework. The tasks are designed to be manageable while still reinforcing what we work on during tutoring. When they come prepared with their homework completed, we can dive into discussions, analyze the reading, and assess how well they’ve applied feedback to their writing.

2. Why These Responsibilities Matter

The work your teen does between sessions directly supports their growth. During tutoring, we:

• Review their writing homework: This allows us to see how they’ve applied what they learned and address any lingering challenges.

• Discuss the reading homework: These discussions help deepen their comprehension and strengthen their ability to both identify and analyze literary elements.

• Revisit vocabulary words: This reinforces new language skills that enhance both reading and writing.

The time they spend on these tasks is what allows our sessions to focus on fine-tuning their skills and moving forward.

3. What Happens If Responsibilities Aren’t Met

When homework isn’t completed, it significantly impacts progress. Without finishing their reading, we can’t advance the discussion, analyze key literary elements, or improve comprehension. If writing homework is skipped, I can’t evaluate how well they’re incorporating the feedback they were given from previous lessons.

This also disrupts the flow of the planned lesson, which is designed around their completed assignments. Ultimately, not doing the work slows progress and makes it harder to achieve their goals.

4. Preparing for Each Tutoring Session

Preparation goes beyond completing assignments. To make the most of our sessions, teens should:

• Bring questions: This ensures we address areas they find confusing.

• Review the reading: Being ready to discuss what they’ve read helps us dive deeper into the material.

• Edit their writing homework: Taking the time to revise their work helps them internalize feedback and improve their writing.

Coming to sessions prepared sets the stage for productive, meaningful learning.

Final Thoughts

Tutoring is a partnership, and your teen’s responsibilities outside of our sessions are just as important as the work we do together. By staying on top of their homework and preparing for each lesson, they’ll make steady, measurable progress toward their goals.

If your teen is ready to take their reading and writing skills to the next level, I’m here to help. Contact me today to learn more about how my tutoring services can support their academic journey!