It’s a feeling that strikes terror in the hearts of students everywhere. Seated at your desk and handed a sheet of problems, you quickly feel a wave of apprehension sweep over you, generating a level of panic that makes it almost impossible to focus on the questions you’re being asked to solve. Your stomach churns, you start to sweat, and a sense of hopelessness and humiliation makes you want to throw your pencil down before you even begin. You can’t do this. You’ll never be good at it. Math anxiety strikes again.

What’s the cure for math phobia? There are many approaches. Changing your study habits, sticking to a routine before tests, practicing practical applications, and playing math games are common suggestions made by teachers and psychologists; however, a recent study by researchers at Stanford University published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that cognitive tutoring—consistent, personalized instruction—can reduce stress and improve performance for students with math anxiety.

In the study, third-graders answered stressful questions about math and took simple problem tests while undergoing functional MRI brain scans. The students were then split into two groups, one with high math anxiety and the other with lower levels. The students in both groups received highly personalized and responsive tutoring over a period of eight weeks. At the end of the study, a new round of brain scans confirmed that, although all of the students performed better in math as a result of the tutoring, the students who had higher anxiety levels exhibited a 20 percent reduction in that emotion. One-to-one tutoring appears to help students face and conquer their fears and give them the confidence to pick up that pencil.

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Academic Coaching

An individualized program off­ered to students in Grades 8 to post-secondary. Coaching is a customized program that fosters understanding, skill improvement, organization, stress-reduction, self-confidence and resilience to those feeling “stuck.” Academic coaching digs deep to help close the gap between ability and achievement and empowers students to practice better time management, meet personal goals, and increase academic and personal access.

Tutoring

Our tutors work one-to-one with students in Grades 1 to 12 to teach them, review concepts, walk through homework assignments step-by-step, identify learning gaps, and provide missing information to ensure that they have a strong grasp of required material. Students receive organizational and planning support, and training in basic technology. Our tutors work with students in a coach-like manner and have a deep understanding of non-traditional learners and the use of strategies and accommodations.

Academic Foundations

This 12-session program delivers a curriculum that introduces the student to strategies, resources, and tools designed to enhance learning, organization, planning, and study skills. It outlines how the brain works, and teaches skills to optimize learning, self-regulation, and deep comprehension in order to maximize educational and personal success. Academic Foundations is delivered in a one-to-one format to students in Grades 6 to post-secondary.

Study Space

Students who are easily discouraged and find it difficult to stay organized, plan ahead, initiate work, and remain on task will benefit from the structure and support of Study Space, our supervised homework program. This program off­ers students a quiet space where they can complete homework and upcoming assignments, access teaching support, and get help with executive function and self-regulation skills. The program off­ers homework and assignment checks, assistance with creating daily and weekly plans for long-term projects, and guidance for allocating study time. Active study skills for tests and exams are taught. Academic mentors help students prioritize and adjust their study schedule as necessary, work with them to address challenges as they arise, and show students how to break down assignments into manageable chunks with due dates. Students also receive support in organizing their materials and putting their notes into study-ready format. Our mentors work directly with students to assist them in developing academic perseverance and self-control, helping them to sustain their attention and focus on required tasks. Students learn how to cope with stress and setbacks, overcome the inherent boredom in practice and repetition, value eff­ort and persistence, and increase their resiliency. Study Space is for students in Grades 9 to 12 who are engaged in (or have completed) Academic Foundations or coaching.

Facilitated Focus

Students who are engaged in or who have mastered our Academic Foundations program will benefit from having those skills reinforced, in a one-to-one format, as they apply their new strategies and tools. Facilitated Focus, for students in Grades 4 to post-secondary, o­ffers students a quiet space where they can complete their homework, reports, and assignments; access one-to-one teaching support; and get help with executive function and self-regulation skills. Our program helps students establish a link between their long-term goals and the daily behaviour they need to perform in order to achieve those goals by putting their skills into action. An academic mentor helps students prioritize and adjust their study schedule as necessary, works with them to address challenges as they arise, and shows the student how to initiate and break down assignments into manageable chunks with due dates. Students also receive support in organizing their materials and putting their notes into study-ready format.

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness mediation can develop concentration, strengthen attention, reduce anxiety and stress, increase information processing speed and enhance empathy and compassion. This program introduces students in Grades 5 to post-secondary and their families to the practice. It includes five program modules (delivered in a one-to-one format) that:

Tutor Connect

Tutor Connect, o­ffered online to students in Grades 6 to 12, gives students the ability to request mobile tutoring or support, in the comfort of their own home (or another remove location), on an ad-hoc or scheduled basis. Tutoring is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week through a simple online message that initiates contact with an Evoke tutor. Students who have an occasional or variable need for tutoring, assistance with organization and initiation, or test and exam preparation, can register to access the Tutor Connect portal and take advantage of this responsive and flexible program.

The Evoke Learning Di­fference

Evoke Learning off­ers academic coaching, tutoring, mentoring, and mindfulness programs for students and their families. Our trained and certified coaches and tutors specialize in working with students who have exceptionalities, those undergoing transitions, and students managing an academic-athletic balance. We believe that each student is naturally creative and resourceful and we work to enhance those abilities. Our long-term focus is on developing academic skills and self-awareness and on strengthening those skills across all subject areas to create self-directed and con‑dent learners. We use evidence-based brain science research to inform our practice and employ a holistic approach. Our programs help students strengthen their self-esteem, increase self-awareness, learn how to change their perspective when they feel “stuck,” and appreciate their own positive qualities and talents.

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