Find the sticking point.
Start with a question the student finds tricky. Ask them to talk through their first step.
THE LESSON APPROACH
How tutoring could work.
The proposed lesson starts with one sticking point and ends with something the student can try independently.
Work it through.
Model one example, then let the student try a similar question with a hint if needed.
Know what to try next.
Ask the student to explain their method and choose one short task to revisit later.
FIELD NOTES / 01ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
MATHS · WORKED EXAMPLE
Show your
working.
A value rises by 20% and then falls by 20%. What fraction of the starting value remains?
1.20 × 0.80 = 0.96
96% of the starting value
96% of the starting value
01 Model the changes 02 Check the result
TRY IT YOURSELF
Use the same method on a new problem.
A price drops by 25%. What percentage increase would return it to its original value? Try using $100 as the starting price.
Check the worked answer
The reduced price is $75. The increase must be $25, which is one-third of $75, so the price needs to rise by 33⅓%.
A tutor could look at the first line of your working to see whether the sticking point is identifying the base for a percentage change or calculating the multiplier.
Where the resources fit
We’d use a short explanation during the lesson, a practice question to check understanding, and a related task to revisit later. Materials would be selected and checked against what the student is learning at school.
Would this approach help?
Tell us the year and subject you’re interested in.