The English Teacher

A Peer Tutor Program


Although this program is not solely an English teacher program, I thought that the information might be useful. Below are the guidelines and [abbreviated] forms used in a peer tutor program. If you wish further information, please write.

SUGGESTION: If the peer tutor sample forms appear too large for your browser, you may wish to change the 'zoom' level of your browser.

NOTE: Since I first made this material available, I have further reflected on the peer tutor program. When I administered it, I also had full-time responsibilities as an English teacher. In the press of papers and planning, I maintained a good program. However, I feel that it could be better by making several changes. First, if possible, a sensitive volunteer from the community should be found to administer the program, perhaps a former school counselor. [If a current school counselor were available, that might be best, but they have the same problem as most other teachers of being overloaded with other duties.] The person who administered the program then could have some time to teach the peer tutors skills that would help them do more than impart knowledge. Of course, transferring knowledge of the subject is the primary goal, but in my experience, often the first peer tutor contact was also the last. The students being helped, many times said that they 'didn't need any more help.' It appears to me in retrospect, they said that because their problems were not so much lack of knowledge of the subject, but lack of tools to acquire that knowledge. Ideally then, peer tutors could teach these students how to gain knowledge, but they would need to do it in a non-threatening way to students with low self-esteem in that area.

Therefore, some training in these areas by a skilled counselor/teacher would improve the program. As the peer tutors met for training, they could share problems and progress and build the spirit of the program. Incidentally, I would recommend avoiding rewards and incentives designed to attract students to the program that had nothing to do with helping students such as parties, trips, etc., that might attract students with no honest concern or sensitivity for helping and teaching.


(Form 1)
                        SIUSLAW HIGH SCHOOL
              GUIDELINES FOR THE PEER TUTOR PROGRAM
                       (PTInfo.98B)    10/28/98
TUTORS

1.  A tutor can be any student who is on the *unstructured list,   
    grades 10-12.  [*Is not assigned to a study hall.]

2.  The tutor must be willing to spend at least one hour per week 
    with students needing academic help.

3.  Tutors must be knowledgeable in a specific area.

4.  It will be noted on a tutor's transcript that he/she          
    participated in the program.  Tutors will keep a record of help 
    given to peers for this participation to be noted.

OPERATION PROCESS

1.  Students may request peer-tutor help through their classroom  
    teacher, their study hall teacher, or any other faculty member. 
    Students wishing assistance also may go directly to a peer    
    tutor if one is available at an opportune time. When it is    
    arranged, the peer tutor, with a pass, may get the student from 
    the study hall or classroom.
 
2.  This program will be administered by Mr. _________ and Miss   
    _____. 

3.  School sponsored tutoring will occur between the hours of 8 AM 
    and 4 PM.

4.  The media center, study hall, or a conference room will be used 
    as the tutor area, if the classroom is not suitable.

5.  Those with suggestions or problems please see Mr. _________.

6.  Tutors are not to do students' homework, only assist them.

7.  NOTE: The peer tutor is responsible for the person being      
    tutored, and if the tutoring is done before period ends, the  
    person should return to their study hall, or class.  [The peer 
    tutor should make sure the student gets back to the assigned  
    area.]

This list gives the peer tutors' names, grade level and the subjects which they feel comfortable tutoring.
(Form 2] Siuslaw High School (PeerTLst.96A) 10-26-96 PEER TUTOR LIST NAME Class Subjects taught _________________________________________________________________ Shirey ________ 12 English, Global Studies, Health SB-12 Career Development, Pre-Algebra Western Civ., U.S. History, Political Science Aaron _________ 12 All math, Eng. to Coll.Prep.3, AD-12 Global Studies, Career Develop. Health, Biology, Physical Science, U.S. History Amber ________ 12 Math to Geometry, Biology, ADv-12 U.S.History, Wester Civ., Spanish 1&2, Political Science, Global Studies, Career Develop. Physical Science, Chemistry Daniel ______ 12 Global Studies, Career Develop. DH-11 Health, English to Coll. Prep.3, Genl. Math to Alg.2, Biology [ETC.] *********************************************** #Peer Tutors-18
This grid shows the school schedule, the tutors' initials and grade level, placed in the time slot they are available to help.
(Form 3) SIUSLAW HIGH SCHOOL PEER TUTOR GRID (PTGrid.991) 9-17-91 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8-8:40 AM AD-12 _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ 1st ADv-12 _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ 2nd *DH-12 _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ 3rd [ETC] _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ 3:30-4pm INITIALS DENOTE TIME AVAILABLE. * DENOTES TIMES PRESENT W/O APPT.
This record shows which tutors are matched up with which students and when they started their tutoring.
(Form 4) Siuslaw High School -PEER MATCHUP LIST- 1997/98 (PTMatchp.97B) 12-2-97 PEER TUTOR LIST TUTOR STUDENT SUBJECTS DATES _________________________________________________________________ Pat ________ Sara _____ Geometry 10/23 PC-12 Angela ______ Algebra 12/5 Matthew _______ Kim ______ Math 10/31 MF-12 Randall _______ Geometry 10/23 Jon ______ Misty ______ Algebra 10/23 J H-12 Valerie ____ Jeff _______ Algebra 11/21 VH-11 [ETC.} ***************************************************************** #Peer Tutors-17
This is the form which students, counselors, parents, administrators, and teachers use to request peer tutors.
(Form 5) Siuslaw High School Peer Tutor Request Date _____________ (PeerTutr.Rq3) 6/3/93 Name of Student _____________________________ Grade 9 10 11 12 Subject(s) in which help is needed ______________________________ Person(s) requesting tutor _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 1. Student __ 2. Parent/Guardian __ 3. Teacher __ 4. Administrator __ 5. Counselor __ 6. Other ____ Times student is available for tutoring: Days _____ Per. ____ Before School _____ After school _____ **Return completed request form to Mr. _________ ***************************************************************** Results of request: Date arranged ______________ Peer tutor selected ________________________________________ Meeting times arranged _____________________________ ****************** ******************* Comments by student: How did the peer tutor help you with your class? _________ __________________________________________________________ How might we help you more? ______________________________ Comments by Peer tutor: How were you able to help the student? ___________________ _________________________________________________________ What could we do to make this contact more effective? ___ _________________________________________________________ *** Peer tutors and Students return form with comments to Mr. _________ (Rm. 22 or the office)
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