Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten lessons are very different to the more structured lessons provided for Year 1+. Based on the Australian Curriculum, these lessons are play-based and are conducted using a variety of hands-on manipulatives.
It is important to remember however that Kindergarten students are still very new to school and that tutoring is not always necessary. Kindergarten students (as with all), need time to play. If however you are wanting your child to excel, or you feel they need a bit more one-on-one time with a teacher to help consolidate concepts taught at school, or you would like your pre-schooler to be Kindergarten ready with a head-start, then Kindergarten tutoring is a good option.
Year 1 to Year 5
Lessons for children in Years 1 to 5 are based on the Australian Curriculum and are tailored towards each child's learning ability and achievement level. At Mini Scholars, all children are set up for success with their confidence propelling them to the realisation of their goals. In school, children are sometimes not given the attention that they need. Trying to meet 30 different children's needs is a very difficult task, and one that all expert teachers try to achieve for each student.
A tutoring lesson, however, provides this differentiated instruction on a one-on-one basis, allowing the teacher and student to work on improving knowledge and concept consolidation, as well as providing further learning experiences to help students excel. Most importantly, at Mini Scholars Tutoring, all children are given the attention they need.
As with Kindergarten, children often don't know they are learning when they are playing educational games that support understanding. Real-life experiences are essential in helping students see the purpose to their learning.
Years 3 and 5 also have NAPLAN throughout the year. NAPLAN preparations are provided within lessons, as well as workshops conducted as the time comes closer (usually the end of Term 1 to the beginning of Term 2). It is important to remember that NAPLAN only shows what the student has achieved on that day, and is not an overall picture of what the student can do. There should be little pressure on students as this can often make them perform worse, however practice is of benefit so students know what is expected of them.
Year 6
Year 6 lessons are structured much like Year 1 to 5 lessons, however, the focus is on preparing students for high school. Students now have a better understanding of the fundamental aspects to academic learning and Year 6 is a year of applying current knowledge to new contexts, making connections, and becoming critical analysts and directors of their own learning. In tutoring lessons, students are given the opportunity to concrete their current understanding or re-learn concepts they may not understand yet. Practicing their literacy and numeracy skills are essential in helping students achieve their goals.
We want all Year 6 students to enter high school confidently, knowing they are successful learners with a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning.
Also provided are study workshops which enable Year 6 students to get a head-start on the essential components to being a successful learner in high school. This includes learning exactly how to study, how to research and reference and how to write essays. Students in Year 6 may already be doing this in school and these workshops could be of benefit and will support current understanding. These workshops are conducted all through the school year and also in the Christmas holidays before students enter Year 7.