Award-Winning 1st Grade Arithmetic Tutors

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Award-Winning 1st Grade Arithmetic Tutors

Kate

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Kate

Master's/Graduate
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
K-4th Grade math
K-4th Grade Science
K-4th Grade Reading

I have 15+ years of teaching experience with students ages 2-14 years old. I am passionate about early childhood education and building the foundation for life long learning. I believe in engaging and playful learning and will teach my classes with lots of interaction and opportunities for engagem...

Education

Walden University

Master's/Graduate

Julie

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Julie

Bachelor
Julie's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
K-6th Grade English
6th-12th Grade AP Psychology
1st-5th Grade Reading

I am committed to providing academic support to students to help them reach their full potential. With a background in education and a passion for empowering learners, I strive to create a supportive and engaging learning environment. My goal is to inspire students to develop critical thinking skill...

Education

The University of West Florida

Bachelor

Karthikeyan

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karthikeyan

Bachelor's
Karthikeyan's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
K-12th Grade math
K-12th Grade Science
K-12th Grade Reading

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Biological Sciences with a 3.96 GPA, and I am currently continuing my academic journey through advanced medical and graduate-level coursework. My education has given me a strong foundation not only in the life sciences but also in interdisciplinary f...

Education

Central Washington University

Bachelor's

Bilal

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Bilal

Bachelor's (in progress)
Bilal's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
1st-9th Grade Reading
1st-7th Grade English
1st-6th Grade math

As a dedicated tutor with over three years of experience, I am passionate about helping students succeed in their academic journey. Currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences at Arizona State University, I bring a unique blend of enthusiasm and expertise to my teaching approach. ...

Education

Arizona State University

Bachelor's (in progress)

Abigail

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Abigail

Bachelor's
Abigail's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
K-12th Grade math
K-12th Grade Reading
K-12th Grade English

I'm an enthusiastic educator, who likes to create child based lessons. I have spent over six years dedicated to unlocking potential across all age groups. With eight years of Psychology studies, and a B.S. in Criminal Justice, I bring a structured yet engaging approach to subjects ranging from eleme...

Education

AIU

Bachelor's

Owasif

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Owasif

Bachelor
Owasif's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
1st-5th Grade Science
1st-5th Grade Writing
1st-5th Grade Vocabulary

Hi! My name is Owasif and I have over 6 years of experience teaching K-5th grade. I'm a dedicated tutor who will put your child's success at the top of my list. I'll ensure every child gets the tutoring they need to succeed in class and beyond.

Education

University of Massachusetts-Boston

Bachelor

Madison

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Madison

Master's/Graduate
Madison's other Tutor Subjects
1st Grade Arithmetic
K-12th Grade Homework
1st-12th Grade After School
1st-5th Grade math

I'm an educator of 4+ years with experience at all age levels! As I'm currently teaching two 5th-grade classes full-time, my teaching philosophy revolves around every student achieving academic success with practice, encouragement, and learning tailored to their needs. My favorite subjects to work w...

Education

Boston University

Master's/Graduate

University of Central Florida

Bachelor's

Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jai

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Jai

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Jai's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Electrical Engineering
ACT Writing

I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1590
ACT
35
Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Jeffrey

Pre-Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and coming members of such a great field. I have experience tutoring both Calculus and Physics at Notre Dame, as well as experience as a Student Assistant for Differential Equations and Mechanics. I believe the key to learning is much deeper than learning to solve problems and that seeking knowledge is one of the best means for personal improvement.

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Erika

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects

I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am not in school myself, I love rowing, equestrian and exploring my new city of Boston! I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!

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Rhea

AP Statistics Tutor • +49 Subjects

I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various subjects as well as tutoring private clients in Standardized Test preparation. Given that I graduated high school recently, I have taken several Standardized Tests and high school subjects myself, so I have a comprehensive understanding of not only how to tutor these subjects and exams, but also what it is like to take them. While I have a wide range of interests and am able to tutor various subjects, I am most passionate about tutoring in Standardized Test preparation (including ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams), Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Spanish. I truly believe that students should have the opportunity to learn in the way that works best for them, and I love being able to help them succeed by creating a comfortable tutoring environment in which we can best assess their particular needs and use strategies specific to them. My passion for learning drives everything that I do, and tutoring is the platform that I use to try to spread that passion to others. In my free time, you can find me playing badminton, listening to music, or baking something (hopefully) delicious.

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Charles

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing

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Tony

Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, English, history, and Mandarin Chinese part-time with a DC-based tutoring company. At Yale, I worked as a freshman counselor to provide academic and career advice to incoming freshmen. I have taken both SAT and MCAT test prep classes and am familiar with both tests as well as the preparation necessary to score well. My personal career goals include attending medical school to pursue either immunology/infectious diseases or psych/neurology, teaching biology at the university level, and working in public/global health with either the CDC or the WHO.

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Sami

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects

I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music

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Quinn

Calculus Tutor • +17 Subjects

I am willing to address any issue with an open mind and I try to develop strategies that play to a student's strengths. I would like to think I am very approachable and personable, and I have had very positive experiences with many students in the past using this philosophy. Outside of academics, I love playing basketball and watching sports, as well as chilling with friends, listening to music, and keeping up with politics and current affairs.

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Samantha

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I'm a first-year medical student and recent graduate from Duke University, where I studied Global Health Determinants, Behaviors, and Interventions. From running a piano program at a nonprofit children's theatre to private tutoring in math, science, and standardized test prep, I enjoy helping my students become confident and self-sufficient learners! Hobbies: photography, travel, reading, music, writing, running, art, books, traveling

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Samuel

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!

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Zachary

Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies to excel in both general academics and standardized tests.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The biggest challenge in 1st Grade Arithmetic is the transition from counting objects to understanding number sense—recognizing that "5" represents a quantity, not just a word. Many students also struggle with subitizing (instantly recognizing small groups without counting), which is foundational for mental math. Addition and subtraction within 10 can be confusing when students rely only on counting on their fingers rather than developing strategies like "making 10" or recognizing fact families (e.g., 3+7=10, so 10-3=7). Word problems are another major hurdle because they require students to translate language into mathematical thinking.

A tutor helps students develop number sense by using concrete manipulatives—blocks, counters, ten-frames—to show that numbers represent quantities with real meaning. Instead of always counting 1-2-3-4-5, tutors guide students to see patterns: "We have 5, and if we add 2 more, we can count on from 5 (6, 7) instead of starting over." This bridges the gap between procedural counting and conceptual understanding. Over time, students internalize these patterns and can visualize numbers mentally, which is essential for fluency and mental math strategies.

Effective strategies include counting on (starting from the larger number), using doubles (2+2, 5+5), and making 10 (since 10 is a landmark number). A tutor teaches these explicitly and helps students choose the strategy that makes sense for each problem—for example, 9+1 is easier with "make 10" than counting on. Repeated practice with these strategies, combined with visual supports like number lines and ten-frames, helps facts become automatic without relying on finger counting. Building this foundation in 1st grade prevents math anxiety later.

Word problems require students to extract the mathematical question from language, which is a distinct skill from computation. A tutor teaches students to slow down and identify: What do we know? What are we trying to find? Should we add or subtract? Using pictures, drawings, or manipulatives to act out the problem makes it concrete. For example, "Maria has 3 apples and gets 2 more" becomes a visual story before it becomes 3+2. This approach builds problem-solving habits that transfer across different word problem types.

Showing work reveals a student's thinking process and helps identify where misconceptions occur—whether they're adding incorrectly, misunderstanding the problem, or just making careless errors. A tutor models how to record thinking visually (drawings, tallies, number sentences) and verbally explains each step. This habit prevents students from memorizing answers without understanding and makes it easier for teachers and parents to provide targeted help. Even in 1st grade, documenting thinking builds mathematical communication skills.

Yes—math anxiety can start as early as 1st grade if students feel rushed, confused, or compared to peers. A tutor creates a low-pressure environment where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, not failures. By breaking skills into small, manageable steps and celebrating progress, tutors help students build confidence and positive associations with math. This early intervention is crucial because attitudes toward math formed in 1st grade often persist through elementary school and beyond.

Memorization means recalling facts without understanding (like flashcards), while fluency means knowing facts quickly AND understanding the reasoning behind them. A student with fluency can explain why 4+3=7 and can apply that knowledge flexibly. Tutors focus on building fluency by connecting facts to strategies and patterns rather than isolated memorization. This approach prevents students from forgetting facts after a test and builds the conceptual foundation needed for multiplication, division, and algebra later.

Place value is abstract for 1st graders, so tutors use concrete tools like base-ten blocks or bundled sticks to show that 10 ones equals 1 ten. Students physically group objects and see the pattern, then record it with numbers. A tutor helps students recognize that in the number 14, the "1" represents 1 ten (10 ones) and the "4" represents 4 ones—not just two separate digits. This foundation is essential for understanding regrouping in addition and subtraction and for number sense beyond 20.

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