Patience is the most important concept of reading comprehension. I like to start by using a list of phonemes to better identify where a student is having an issue. In the English language there are often more than one combination of letters to achieve a phoneme, so once these can be treated as sight words, reading comprehension is strengthened once students are no longer struggling with fluency.

Giving students a short learning style assessment can help me plan the best methods for teaching. The results from this can help me determine the next step in learning.

By connecting a student with their interests or hobbies into a subject can help them become motivated, or at worst, vaguely interested in the subject at hand. Once this vague interest becomes rewarding with understanding, students can become more confident and genuinely interested in the concepts.

Comprehensive questions are always better at determining understanding, as they require a student to back up their answer. Similarly, in math, students should show their work, so that they may understand the concepts behind the math.

Starting small is always a good idea, especially when students are struggling. By beginning with basic concepts and allowing students to know they understand them, this can help build the foundation for further learning.

A pretest is a good way to start, as it definitively shows what areas are in need. Talking to the student is great though, as this make reveal where students are unsure of themselves or may have misunderstandings of concepts.

A great tutor or teacher is like a chameleon; able to change their makeup to what surrounds them. By changing my plans to that of the students' learning style, it boosts success and allows students to feel more comfortable.

A computer is the best tool, as it usually makes up just about any tool you could need. I always carry a graphing calculator so that I may be able to quickly show a physical problem, which can sometimes help with understanding. Simply having maps, charts, and sample formulas is always good too.

I believe that every student is capable of learning. Patience and adaptability are what is needed to overcome any obstacles in your way. No student should ever be treated like they may not be able to accomplish something.

I usually begin with a quick learning style assessment, so that I may be better able to cater to the student. A quick survey of interests and hobbies can help me build a curriculum, and then I simply talk to the student about what they would like to happen as a result of our sessions.

When you help a student understand their own strengths and weaknesses, it can allow them to be more independent. Building stamina and comprehension is the foundation for independence.

Sometimes people overthink things. By switching to a different but still related concept and then returning to the original concept, this helps to create analogies that can be used for learning and understanding.

Motivation helps students stay with a subject or concept longer. For more disciplined students, something as simple as having a bite of snack after every 5 questions answered correctly can work. For less disciplined students, positive affirmation works much better.