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December Program Updates

Tutoring Chicago’s weekly agendas include a variety of tools and activities to help you support your student’s literacy development. Here are a few key resources available to you:

  • Reading Comprehension Scope & Sequence: This resource includes grade-level texts, tutorials, and activities aligned to learning standards and Tutoring Chicago’s Reading Comprehension Pre-Assessment.
  • Hi-Lo Readers  (grades 4-12): These high-interest, lower-reading-level texts help students strengthen their skills, build confidence, and stay engaged with topics that match their interests.
  • Khan Academy: This free online resource offers reading and vocabulary units for students in grades 2-10.
  • Learning Applications and Benefits (LABs): Depending on your student’s grade level and program, they may have access to digital literacy tools such as BookSmart Worldreader (a digital library for grades 1-7), Phonics Hero (foundational phonics support best suited for students in grades 1-3), Raz Kids (a leveled digital library for students in LIT), or IXL (adaptive reading practice). Check your portal to see what’s available to your student, or reach out to your Program Manager for support.

Whether you are using one of these resources, reading aloud together, or encouraging your student to talk about a favorite book, your support helps nurture both their literacy skills and their confidence as readers and writers! If you are interested in learning more, a literacy training will be available during the upcoming Winter Tutor Training Series.. Stay tuned for more details!

Tutoring Tip: Use Wait Time

When students are asked a question, they need time to process what is being asked, connect it to what they know, and decide how best to respond. Research shared by Edutopia suggests that pausing for 5-15 seconds after asking a question can improve the quality of student thinking and responses.

The extended silence may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but it gives students the space and time they need, especially if the question is challenging and requires deeper reasoning.

You can also support your student by encouraging them to jot down their ideas before answering out loud. Writing first can help a student organize their thoughts, reduces pressure to respond right away, and boosts confidence in their answers.

Consider building in intentional wait time or inviting your student to write their thoughts before responding to questions. Small strategies like these can strengthen their ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and engage more fully in learning.