Rosalyn and tutor Lynette Delprete
Recently Rosalyn and I agreed that each of us would write a paragraph in our journals during the week and then share it with one another when we meet on Wednesdays.
Because so much of our tutoring time is spent correcting grammar and GED related exercises – not typically “fun” stuff, I wanted her to see that writing can be fun. There are no rules to this journal writing except that we are to write about ANYTHING that comes to mind, and we are not to worry about grammar, punctuation, capitalization and the like for this assignment.
Well, as you can see, for her FIRST week, she wrote a beautiful paragraph about her dreams of a high school diploma and her doubts about fulfilling that dream. I love the analogy comparing her journey to that of mothering a baby. With Rosalyn’s permission, I am sharing this assignment with you:
Tutor Resources for TABE Reading Comprehension
Julia, my latest student, was referred to the Literacy Council this past summer by Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). She had passed all but one part of the TABE test – reading comprehension (which she had taken and failed twice). Julia had to pass that final part of the TABE test in order to be admitted to the dental assistant training program at AACC.
Now I am happy to report that Julia passed the reading comprehension portion of the TABE test! She will be entering the dental assistant training program at AACC in January.
Here are websites where I found useful teaching material aimed specifically at TABE reading comprehension:
TABE Reading Comprehension Resources
Do you have a love for math and want to help another person achieve their GED?
Next spring we will officially launch a new initiative with both the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Review (DLLR), and the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland.
Fifteen students who have passed all sections of the GED but math, and who have missed passing the math section by only a few points, will participate in a targeted, 4 to 6 week, one-on-one math tutoring program.
We are offering this opportunity first to existing tutors and then, if necessary, we will recruit new tutors specifically for this program.
Think about the rewards:
- The joy of seeing a student graduate to a new life of possibilities.
- Specific training for tutoring GED math from GED professionals in the field.
- An opportunity to be part of a pilot program that will set standards for the entire state and possibly be a model for the nation.
- A commitment of 4-6 weeks.
Please let us know if you want to volunteer for this spring 2017 program by replying to this newsletter, and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
We look forward to your participation in this exciting new venture!
Literacy Council Tutor Coordinators:
Dr. Perinaaz Gandhi perinaaz.gandhi@gmail.com
Susann Felton sdfelton@verizon.net
Your donation of talent and funds this past year has helped 240 fully-trained volunteers to recruit, assess, match, tutor, and support 195 Anne Arundel County residents.
Student books, tutoring, and assessments were provided free of charge, and tutoring occurred at convenient times and locations throughout the county. GEDs, jobs, better-paying jobs, driver licenses and improved quality of life were achieved by these students.
You are a hero and a champion for these adults and out-of-school youth! Thank you for giving them the opportunity to improve their skills and fulfill their dreams for a better life for themselves and their families this year.
Gratefully,
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
301-523-6750 (cell)
Saturday, November 5th 9am – noon
Founders Room
Wood’s Memorial Presbyterian Church
Severna Park
Bring your questions, challenges, and strategies to share with your colleagues. We will provide training with graphic organizers and other teaching strategies to help you do your job.
Haven’t met with your student yet? No worries, the information will still be valuable. Been around for a long time? Let me know what you need so I have it in advance and we would love for you to share your expertise.
Please RSVP so I can prepare enough materials:
Jill Mischo, T1family@verizon.net
See you November 5th!
Jill Mischo
Tutor Training Coordinator
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
A Big “Thank you!”
to Annapolis Koons Toyota, 3 Point Products, and Annapolis Sandy Spring Bank for sponsoring our first Literacy Lights the Way walkathon, which raised community awareness and much-needed funds for expanding the Council’s free adult and out-of-school youth literacy and math tutoring program in Anne Arundel County.
Debby Turner, Basic Literacy Tutor Coordinator
Please give a warm welcome to tutor Debby Turner, who has joined Anita Ewing as a Basic Literacy Tutor Coordinator! Debby, who has successfully tutored numerous students over the past several years, will provide ongoing support to our tutors and assist in tutor training.
Here are links to a number of YouTube videos dealing with improving reading comprehension that Debby found online when searching for materials for her current student, Julia. The Kaplan videos for the ACT were Julia’s initial favorites. She liked their clear and concise description of specific strategies to improve reading comprehension:
Strategies to Improve Reading Comprehension
How to Understand the Passage Despite the Science Jargon
There are also additional links to websites that had materials applicable to the reading comprehension part of the TABE test, including sample test questions and answers:
Florida Dept. of Education – Preparation for the TABE.
TABE Practice Test
GED Tutor Coordinators: Dr. Perinaaz Gandhi and Susann Felton
Please welcome GED tutor coordinators Dr. Perinaaz Gandhi and Susann Felton, who will be supporting both our tutors and our partnerships with Anne Arundel Community College’s GED program and OIC.
As experienced GED tutors, Perinaaz and Susann will provide ongoing math, science, literacy, and test-taking resources as needed; track student progress; and lead GED tutor workshops throughout the year.
Tutor Leslie Clark and Carlos
Carlos came to the United States from El Salvador in 1990, at the age of 17. He first worked in agriculture, went on to operate heavy equipment, and has been self-employed as a landscaper for the last 10 years.
Although Carlos received no formal schooling, he managed to learn how to read and write Spanish on his own, and just five years after he arrived in this country he decided to become fluent in English–using books to sharpen his conversational skills.
“That drive and determination has been on display ever since we started our work together,” reports tutor Leslie Clark. “Carlos has already completed Laubach 1, is reading with more fluency and comprehension, and is making great progress with his writing. His patience and great sense of humor makes him a joy to work with.”
Carlos himself credits his family with much of his academic success so far. His wife Ana offers lots of encouragement; daughter Kayla, a diligent South River High student, helps him tackle his English homework; and three-year-old Anthony provides perhaps the best motivation of all: He loves having his father read to him.
Deborah Oden and tutor Harry Delong
Sometimes dogged persistence and a willingness to ask for help is all it takes to make the impossible possible.
When she lived in Baltimore, Deborah Oden began taking classes to improve her reading, writing, mathematics, and computer skills. Her move to Anne Arundel County didn’t stop her efforts to keep learning; when she contacted Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) several years ago she was referred to the Literacy Council.
Deborah was matched with her first tutor, Ray Davis, and advanced through Laubach 3, Laubach 4, and into the Challenger series. Just as impressively, she walked over a mile to and from the library–rain or shine–two times each week to meet with Ray. Unfortunately, though, knee replacement surgery unexpectedly made getting to the library logistically impossible.
It took a year to recover, but by late 2015 Deborah felt able to restart her tutoring. Tutor Ray Davis had been assigned to another student while Deborah was recuperating, so tutor Harry DeLong began working with Deborah in January 2016.
And today Deborah is already reading and writing with greater ease and her spelling has improved. Because she enjoys interacting with and helping people, she’s determined that a career in physical therapy (PT) would be a good fit. Deborah now aims to enter the assistant PT program at AACC. Deborah may have some work to do before she reaches that goal, but her new knee, sheer determination, and sunny disposition have set her firmly on the right path.
