Program Spotlight: After-school Tutoring

Writing at 826michigan doesn’t look one way. At After-School Tutoring students have the opportunity to work on homework with the help of our trained tutors, dedicate time to writing (and publishing), read a book brought from home or from our library, and of course, build robots!

This is the year of self-advocacy. Four to six pm, Monday through Thursday, are hours that belong to our students. It is their chance to say: I need help with understanding angles for geometry. Or, can you help me break book report writing into chunks? Or, I need someone to quiz me for my spelling test. This is what I need help with and this is how you can help me. In the spirit of self-advocacy, we have a new feature in the lab: a feedback box in the shape of a robot, made by students with cardboard, aluminum foil, and all things duct tape.

After-School Tutoring is made of math wizards and spelling bee champions. We are school play line practice and learning circles with a slice of pi. We read picture books aloud and read in the royal yellow chair beside the cozy (cardboard) fireplace. We hone our voices not only through self-advocacy but also through writing. Tutors and students have the chance to write side by side. Daily prompts can look like magazine and black out poetry or the opportunity to write something entirely different—something entirely “me”. We are looking forward to all the stories that will be created this fall! 

Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti sites have a drop-in tutoring program while Detroit students must register first. Volunteer tutors can apply online. We welcome new students and tutors anytime!