Learn about your students by observing their lives. How do they interact with you, with others. Keep a record of your observations for planning your curriculum. A successful curriculum will begin WITH not FOR the student.

You are teaching people to read and write. You therefore must do the same. Read aloud to students each session. Have them dictate a story to you. Read it back. Voilà! there it is, the student has a story in print. Save these stories. When the students can read, let them read their own stories aloud to you, to others.

If you have a paper and pencil you are ready to begin. Sure expensive books and materials are good, but if you can't get them, go to the library. Make friends with the local librarian. For adults use adult materials. It is insulting and degrading to teach adults with material made for children. Some great starters include a telephone book, the Yellow Pages, local newspapers, advertisements, T.V. guides, and menus.

Use music. Play records. Read lyrics.

Give students an assignment they can succeed at. Something interesting and relevant. Example: Have them orally interview their own family members.

All this is an assessment technique. You are trying to determine: who is the student; what are the student's strengths; and what are the student's needs. Be very specific. Does the student want to read letters, material at work, a newspaper, grocery products, songs? Based on the needs, set goals and target dates with your student. Review this often and modify it as needed.

TUTOR MAGIC — THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

We have observed volunteer tutors at work and are convinced the thing we do best is to allow people to see their strengths and become confident that they can learn. We replace DIS-ability and IL-literacy with self confidence and meaningful skills.