Out-of-School Time: An Unclear Assignment | LEARNS: Online Tutor Manual

An Unclear Assignment

Abby's Planner:
Tutoring Planner: Week 8

Goals

Encourage Marcus's development of organizational skills
Work on comprehension strategies for reading non-fiction

Activities

Identify homework
Review materials
Discuss reading non-fiction text
Read a non-fiction text

Materials

Large size index cards
Blank paper
Pencils
Lined paper
Pens
Paper clips
Stapler

Tutor Reflections

Marcus is struggling to read — may be behind his peers — but has a good understanding of vocabulary
Give him lots of reassurance and support — he sometimes doubts himself

image, abby and marcus Marcus arrives late, saying he was walking with a bunch of other kids and they started playing around. When he settles in, Abby asks him what he has for homework. He says he doesn't have anything due tomorrow.

Abby: OK, what about any assignments due on another day. Or what about your reading - maybe we should try to get a little ahead?
Marcus: Oh, I have a report due soon, um, for social studies.
Abby: On what?
Marcus: I can't remember. It's for Social Studies.
Abby: Do you have anything written down about it? Like an outline or an assignment sheet?
Marcus: (Looks uncertain. While he eats his snack Abby looks through his backpack, which is unusually empty. )
Abby: Where is all your stuff?
image, abby and marcus Marcus: My mom said to clean out my backpack so it's in my room.
Abby: Did your teacher give you a handout about the assignment?
Marcus: Yeah, but I can't remember where I put it … I think it is about a state, a report on a state.
Abby: Did you get assigned a state or do you need to pick one?
Marcus: I don't know.
Abby: Do you know when this report is due?
Marcus: It's our final project. I don't know.
Abby: OK. Let's look in your social studies book. Maybe there will be something in there that will help us figure this out.

Should Abby:
A. … Try to find out more about this assignment and help Marcus make a plan for completing the assignment?	B. … Decide that this is a waste of time and choose something else for them to work on?	C. … End the session early? Because Marcus has not come with his assignment and Abby has a big assignment due herself, she decides she should just go home.
See This Choice	See This Choice	See This Choice

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