The STELLAR Tutorial: Overview

The goals of the STELLAR tutorial experience are twofold. First, we expect you, the tutor, to 'apply' some of the understandings and strategies you are learning in your reading/language arts methods courses as well as those that you observe in your field experiences. The tutorial experience will contribute to the development of your ability to teach reading effectively. A second (not secondary) goal relates to the students you work with in the tutorial. The tutorial provides for a great deal of quality time with a student and you should expect that he or she will benefit enormously from your efforts in literacy development.

It is likely that you entered your teacher preparation program with limited experience in the teaching of reading. Therefore we will be quite explicit about the plans and expectations for the tutorial. We offer a model for you to follow -- not as the ideal, but rather as a platform to begin your teaching. As you develop expertise, we expect your plans will become more elaborate and your teaching more flexible and responsive.

Even though the model is quite explicit, a great deal of daily planning and decision-making will be required for you to achieve success in the tutorial. Your plans for each tutoring session must be fully developed to reflect your intentions. Keep assessment notes, artifacts, and teaching records. For further guidance on the "planning" process recommended in the STELLAR Tutoring program, please follow the planning link on the menu bar.

Finally, a note on technology: We have been working to more fully incorporate technology into all phases and all components of the tutorial experience. The expectations for technology include not only lesson plans and reflections submitted electronically, but also the use of your computer in your teaching. You will use your laptop in the tutorial. You will have a wireless environment to work during the tutorial.