Middle school can be tough. Tough and scary. Elementary school if often forgiving,  but in middle school you're preparing for high school, as well as dealing with the challenges of where you are. But there are strategies for coping, and even thriving. Today we’re going to talk about reading strategies for middle school students. Expectations Coming In As controversial and sometimes woefully incomplete as Common Core Standards may sometimes be (don’t get me started, that’s a whole di

Are you applying for graduate school? Here are five of the best GRE test prep books to check out, as recommended by online tutor Marcus S.   As someone headed to grad school, you’ve likely been focusing on your major for the last couple of years or working in the real world for even longer. In either case, chances are you’ll need to freshen up your skills in one or more areas covered on the GRE.  The Graduate Records Exam, or GRE, is used by many graduate schools to help determine wh

There are so many websites, books, and other resources to help you improve writing skills, study skills, and more. Here are 8 awesome ideas from San Diego, CA tutor Natalie S... Beginning and completing a piece of writing can be a scary process. To some students, it may feel like there are a lot of unknown variables. It takes a long time to outline an essay. It requires a lot of brainstorming and organization. There isn’t a specific formula. There isn’t a right or a wrong, just a subject

When you're trying to drive home key math concepts, making the repetition and practice into a game can help keep things interesting and fun! While there are a multitude of math games that involve one or more players and some simple props, there are also plenty of online math games to check out. Playing a computer game online can help break the monotony a bit by switching mediums from card games. Listed below are a few websites that are worth checking out when you're looking for online math games

Looking for cool math games to keep your kids busy and learning, while having fun at the same time? Check out our favorite websites and resources, compiled by Dallas, TX tutor Kristin S.:  If you're looking for a fun and challenging way to improve your math skills, look no further than the internet. There are tons of free math games online that will test your abilities and help you get better at solving complex problems.  Check out some of our favorite sites below! What Math Games C

Actors, your voice is one of the most powerful tools you have to make a character come to life. Next time you're getting into a character, use these tips from Baltimore, MD acting teacher Larry P. for improving your stage presence... Remember when your mother used to remind you to “use your indoor voice”? You have all sorts of indoor voices, and in order to best portray any character and improve your stage presence, be it in an audition, a rehearsal, or a production, you have to decide w

One of the most common obstacles for a writer is the ability to come up with story ideas. Though all children, and adults for that matter, have them lodged somewhere in their brains, the trick is getting them out and on paper. So what are the best writing tips for kids to release their inner Shakespeare and develop a great plot line? Here are a few ideas to try out... Draw on real life experiences. One of the best writing tips for kids for finding great story ideas is to draw on rea

The title of this article is kind of a misnomer. The bad news is there is no one secret to success in high school. At least not all the time. You can probably verify that with almost anyone who ever went to high school. The good news is there are some things that you can do to smooth out the whole high school experience, no matter what form(s) it takes during the current and post-COVID era. We can break it out into two distinct sections: things the student can do, and things a parent/guardian ca

Do you have a big class presentation or speech coming up? Learn how to make it memorable with these presentation tips from online tutor Carrie M...   You've been asked to give a presentation in front of your class. It's a daunting task, but don't worry!  No matter how great your ideas are, you won't get far if you can't present them effectively. Whether you're giving a TED talk, a business presentation, or simply pitching an idea to a friend, being able to present your ideas in a

Preparing for a writing skills test? Take a look at these helpful tips from Ann Arbor, MI teacher Elaina R. to calm your nerves...   Writing skills tests are a very real part of life. They come up in grade school, in college entrance exams, and even in employment applications. Fortunately, writing skills tests are formulaic. Once you know what is on them, the prospect of taking them periodically throughout life becomes less daunting. Here are the basic elements of a writing skills te