Tutoring

Last week tuesday I went for another tutoring session in the elementary (for NHS). This took place at regular after-school time in Mrs Mahaffy's classroom. However, Mrs Mahaffy wasn't actually present during this session and only 2 other NHS members had come along (as the seniors were doing mocks and couldn't attend).
There were about 4 or 5 elementary kids at the homework help club and they were all very focused on their work. In fact, so focused that they almost didn't need us to assist them with anything! The majority of the kids were working on mind maps for sciences. These could be designed in any way that they wanted (for instance one kid did a dinosaur and another a plant), with various branches or limbs with the different topics of their paragraphs written on them. Those who had finished with this mind map were doing their research for the project on laptops.

I tried my best to get involved with the kids during this session, but I think it was made more difficult by the fact that Mrs Mahaffy wasn't there. On my last trip things were all very organised and I was assigned a child and almost told exactly what to do. This time, however, it was more relaxed. The kids sat at tables and did their work and I went around to all of them and asked what they were doing, whether they needed any help, etc. However, most of the kids were pretty independent and didn't need any help from me. Nevertheless, I did support one child as he worked on some difficult math homework and helped another take notes.

This session was slightly less interactive than I would've hoped, but I think that it was a one time thing (due to Mrs Mahaffy being gone and the seniors also absent). However, next time I will try harder to get involved with the kids. I think that this program is really good in helping me with my leadership and public speaking, etc. It's helping me develop into a more confident person, and I want to make the most out of the opportunities I am presented with.