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Bold School-Chapters 7 & 8

October 1st-- Peer Tutoring & Concept Mapping

BoldSchool-Chapters 7 & 8October 1st-- Peer Tutoring & Concept Mapping
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Objectives for the Session

  • Explore the Truths of Peer Tutoring.
  • Analyze Peer Tutoring through Concept Mapping.
  • Explore Concept Mapping via Sway and other programs.
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Bell Work: Let's get started!


  • Pair up with someone who teaches a different subject than you.
  • Come up with three (3) different things you have in common.
  • Create a visual to express your three commonalities.

Peer Tutoring Truths--Effect Size .55

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Truth #1: Peer tutors must be matched intentionally so that it can be mutually beneficial.

  • Students are paired based off common ground, i.e. proficiency, ethnicity, or socioeconomic.
  • Intentional pairing builds relationships.
  • Both students have something to offer each other.
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Peer Tutoring Truth #2: Peer tutoring is for practice, not for teaching new skills or concepts.

  • Teacher is the expert on teaching the skills.
  • Practicing the skills taught is the goal of peer tutoring.
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Peer Tutoring Truth #3: Peer tutoring only works if the tutors are trained in advance and teachers model tutoring skills.

  • Not all students have the innate skills to be tutors.
  • Students need explicit instruction in what it means to be "an effective tutor."
  • Training needs to be relevant to the learning goals.
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Peer Tutoring Truth #4: Peer tutoring is more effective when the students are in control.

  • When in control, students "practice making decisions, identifying and meeting needs, or expressing the need for help."
  • Teacher serves as facilitator.

Training Tutors (7th grade math teacher example)

    • Teacher must clearly establish expectations with tutors prior to beginning peer tutoring
    • Be calm, patient, and understanding
    • Provide positive feedback (teacher demonstrates how)
    • Do not give them the answer (teacher demonstrate how to ask questions to steer in the right direction)
    • Keep the group on task
    • Only the tutor can ask teacher questions.
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Peer Tutoring Truth #5: In addition to facilitating, the teacher needs to monitor and assess tutoring.

  • During peer tutoring, teachers should be circling the room and checking in with pairs.
  • Teachers should also build in regular formative assessment that makes sense to the program.
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Peer Tutoring Truth #6: The tutors do not need to be inside the classroom.

  • This is where blended learning tutoring changes the game.
  • Technologies such as Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout, Flipgrid can allow teachers to forge partnerships anywhere.

Bridging Activity Peer Tutoring Concept Map

Using the provide Post-its, answer the following questions:


  • What 'outside of school' resources do you have that could be beneficial peer tutoring?
  • Which areas within your classroom do you feel could benefit from peer tutoring?


Work together to create a concept map with the Post-its with the main idea being "Peer Tutoring".

Concept Mapping Programs
With your group, explore your Mapping Program. Be prepared to share feedback with the other groups.
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Don't forget to RockBOLD Tweet!

Tweet about your Bold School Journey!

Tag @AprilSmithRCS, #BoldSchool, and #ROCKBold.