Students often add or subtract numerators and denominators separately (1/2 + 1/3 = 2/5), struggle to find common denominators, and misunderstand when to multiply versus divide in word problems. Many also have trouble visualizing what fractions actually represent, leading to careless errors on tests. Personalized tutoring helps identify which specific conceptual gaps are causing mistakes and builds understanding from the ground up.

Varsity Tutors connects you with a tutor who will assess your student's current understanding—where they're strong, where they're stuck, and what's causing confusion. The tutor might use visual models, manipulatives, or real-world examples to understand how your student thinks about fractions. This diagnostic approach ensures the tutoring plan targets the actual gaps, not just generic review.

With consistent, focused tutoring (typically 1-2 sessions per week), most students see meaningful improvement within 4-6 weeks. However, the timeline depends on the starting point—a student who struggles with basic fraction concepts may need more time than one who just needs help with operations. Regular practice between sessions and reinforcement at home significantly speed up progress.

Fractions are introduced in 3rd grade and continue through middle school and beyond. Tutors work with students at any level—from foundational understanding (what is 1/2?) through complex operations and applications in algebra. For Seattle students across the city's 9 school districts, personalized instruction ensures each student gets support at their current level, whether they're catching up or getting ahead.

Word problems require students to translate English into math, decide which operation to use, and then execute the calculation—three places where confusion happens. Tutors teach students to break problems into steps, identify key information, and visualize what's happening with models or drawings. Practice with multiple problem types builds confidence and pattern recognition, so students can tackle unfamiliar problems on tests.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have strong math backgrounds and proven experience teaching fractions to students at various levels. Many have teaching credentials, math degrees, or extensive tutoring experience. When you connect with a tutor, you'll know their qualifications and teaching approach upfront, so you can feel confident your student is learning from someone who understands both the math and how students learn it.

Tutors typically assign targeted practice that reinforces what was covered in the session—this might be 15-30 minutes of focused work rather than hours of homework. The key is spaced repetition: practicing the same concept over several days helps it stick. Tutors will check in on practice during the next session, adjust if needed, and celebrate progress to keep your student motivated.