The URL can be used to link to this page

Times Advocate, 1994-12-14, Page 17Frenchman's Inn Restaurant Everyday 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner starting at $ 16.95 235-2008 Second section - December' 14, 1994 *-1 Werth Wddieses 6 Norm Lanttcn At left, Jessie Brown and Aaron Smith are just two of over 100 elementary and high school students who participate in the program. Above, Wendy Parsons and Ryan Sedlak work at the computer. Peer tutor program a success By Heather Vincent T -A Staff EXETER - Exeter Public -School and South Huron District High School have joined forces to help both older and younger students get the most possible out of school. Grade 11 students in the parenting course at South Huron were matched with students between grades one and eight in a peer tutor program. The students meet once a week during a regular 75 minute period to par- ticipate in a scheduled program of computer work, oral reading, spelling and daily assignments. Over 100 elementary and high school students par- ticipate in the program. With the limited government funding to schools, educators have been called upon to develop programs which make the most oyt of a limited staff. The high school students filled out questionnaires which evaluated in- terests, experience and the age child they preferred. Public school teach- ers were then able to appropriately match a younger student who could benefit from the older student 's specific strengths. The high school students received two training sessions at the public school that taught them how students read and techniques for teaching reading. They are able to take the theory they learn in class and apply it to real children. The public school students selected for this program were chosen by this program has on both participants. All the students look forward to an elementary school team consisting of the principal, an area resource their peer tutoring days. teacher, a school resource teacher and the, classroom teacher. "The team recommended students who could benefitto enriching opportunities in the areas of math and reading," said elemetraary teacher Barb Dietrich. The focus of the program is acaderhres, however, social and emo- tional areas also receive attention. The elementary students benefit from the one on one tutoring and the high school students come away with a real sense they are doing something worthwhile. Grade I I students who may not excel academically are able to demonstrate strength in other ar- eas. The program is a self-esteem booster that carries over into the stu- dent's academic work. "What I really love about this is that some of my students who are struggling academically, really shine with this," said Nancy Hunter, South Huron teacher. This is the first year for the peer tutor program. Similar programs were tried at schools in Seaforth and Clinton. So far, the program seems very well received by participants, teachers and parents. The practical ex- perience is very important to the grade I I students. The program also gives teachers the ability to monitor the whole program and track the stu- dents' progress. "The only change 1 would make is to do it every day," says Dietrich. "I hope we can be like this all year, I really enjoy helping. It gives me confidence and also I feel it gives him more confidence in himself." This excerpt from one of the student journals that illustrates the impact Gillian Gregoire tutor program. and Tina Fisher are both involved in the peer r "Joy-tothe World A 1^Pee,h ..16,ova I *7 areangewent Ivt a1 f ake fin. 1,9721r, FTD Whiff ChYte,- ac tou4uet A woven i,le�9h ht eel Wtm hotly,pihe, mum4 610 GAvMMA t1 0\19 a beAtrhful centvGpica v til (.(vvMIa 92115 Numcahe Aeole ment a bent -6119 cv0iftc arta1 ard 4,16,42 fp 1reGv)uye, Aftev the hal l ui"r) Z ic Agra 114emeht' beth ¢241yand ur •Fresh FIN I c,e 4t /nal I bo uey f 2'' Anil u p Ghriol-nelp Mh A t n J0 infooml o avram ewtevlf- i Yt kee p4(6 vsivi9 1614r2 r i0ie l 44 av d /filo( ��ea�rwl f lowevi Foot! mime, , ontA', CAI61amev1, a ICA .. It r7Anel up cl2apniinei , rn nt -lured w►t4► Chr+tma' rce,y6 anal delisIrgiAl fav evGvm CisUh hone, 4 015 1= TD &tarbouctue-f" AlDr And low AvvanlePWYtf -featuvivt9a 44pI2 �Icll cavidlehol4lev GDulntvy tlovty *6ia I X42 wordeyFul of Ghhte• gree l l Holly AhGI pinecaies I h A SlAAV We dctr ,tYLC2 Finch 4 Flea ►pant frc4 wireAtv,ani way.. a lecher, clrt 6t%A.r4, dee. A t;01,n) 6%( NeilA e oncitiI j 61)1(A°11, I' 4 • • yiept+ ouv mavke+ of fve4h f lawerc, anal' plied a - lowem °)°I► main 4srec}.tx6ter ��j •22j�j0 4