Tutoring

“Anita is kind and not forceful in teaching.” -- Fourth Grade Student

“I like that we can have fun at the same time as learning.” -- Seventh Grade Student

I have tutored Brooklyn children of all ages, and I have found that, whether five or fifteen, they are all natural storytellers. The little ones will tell me about how “daddy is sick with a tummy bug” and the older students will talk about something that happened with a friend last night. Give them pen and paper, though, and the process is not always that easy.

I have found that storytelling can engage reluctant writers of all ages and start them in the process of writing. When I’ve built trust with my students they often feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings; this is where storytelling comes in. A shy, third grade student who had no interest in writing once told me a story about playing baseball after school; this student who I could not reach, in terms of writing, was a natural when it came to his favorite hobby. He had a smile on his face when he told me about the thrill he got from throwing pitches for his little league team. Getting his story down on paper couldn’t be easier.

In my tutoring groups everyone’s voice is valued, therefore everyone is encouraged to tell a story. There are many reasons some students miss out on storytelling; fear of public speaking, social anxiety and worries about how peers will react are just a few. In such groups, everyone is challenged to deal with their fears by getting an opportunity to recite their stories orally and read them when written.

Currently I am supporting students in: high school and college application essays, remote writing curricula, distance learning, and project management. My process is holistic and based in the use of grammar skills, imagination, improvisation, letter writing, and games. My students have written ELA assignments, essays, letters, plays, and learned how to focus and edit at the same time. I would love to discuss how to enable the natural writing voice of your young writer.

Please contact me at argbushell@gmail.com to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.