Study Zone
Connect to homework help and services for students in grades K-12.
Tutors
Volunteer tutors provide homework help for students in grades K-12. Drop in anytime during Tutors program hours. Bring homework or practice materials to work from.
Tutors in Libraries
- In-person at select libraries.
- Languages and advanced subjects are in the event details.
- Unexpected absences or schedule changes may occur.
Tutors Online
- Ask for a tutor and your grade and subject(s).
- Connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- There are different ways for students to share homework with tutors. Share homework onscreen. Send homework images to a share folder. Or, email homework images to szonline@kcls.org.
Schedule for Online Tutors
| Tuesdays | 4:00-6:00pm |
| Wednesdays | 4:00-6:00pm |
| Thursdays | 5:30-7:30pm |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tutors
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- Students in grades K-12 who need help with any subject.
- Students in grades K-12 who need a positive place to do homework.
- Anyone up to age 21 studying for their GED.
You may attend in-person Tutors at a library even if you don't have a question for the tutors.
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Have materials on hand to work from, such as:
- Instructions, textbooks, and assigned reading needed to complete your assignment.
- Worksheets or other tools if you want to practice certain skills.
- Notes or other practice materials if you are studying for a test.
- Online assignments or computer documents to share on screen.
Think about how you will share materials with an online Study Zone tutor:
- Protect your privacy! Never email documents directly to a tutor. Email a file to szonline@kcls.org. Your file will be forwarded to your tutor.
- Share your screen to display work that is on your computer or device.
- Scan or photograph an image of a document, textbook, or workbook.
- Use Share Screen in Zoom to share a document or image.
- Place a link in chat to a document stored in a cloud drive, such as iCloud, OneDrive or Google Drive.
- Upload a file to the Student Share Folder.
- Hold a paper document or book up the device camera for the tutor to view.
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All tutors can help students in grades K-5 with:
- Math
- Science
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Social Studies (History)
Students in grades 6-12 can get help with subjects up to the college-prep level. Every Tutors session is different. Check date-specific descriptions in the library event calendar for details.
Math Club
High school volunteers teach one-hour lessons each week. Lessons are separated into daily topics by suggested grades for K-8.
Math Club Online
- Ask for Math Club and your preferred class.
- Connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Schedule for Online Math Club Classes
Find weekly topics in the Math Club calendar.
Tuesdays
| 4:15-5:15pm | Core Math Grades K-1 |
| 4:30-5:30pm | Core Math Grades 2-3 |
| 4:45-5:45pm | Core Math Grades 4-5 |
Wednesdays
| 4:15-5:15pm | Math Games Grades K-1 |
| 4:30-5:30pm | Math Games Grades 2-3 |
| 4:45-5:45pm | Math Games Grades 4-5 |
Thursdays
| 5:30-6:30pm | Get Ready for Geometry |
| 6:00-7:00pm | Get Ready for 6th Grade |
| 6:30-7:30pm | Get Ready for Algebra |
Frequently Asked Questions About Math Club
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For most classes you will need paper and pencil. For Math Games you may also need scissors. These will be used for origami, making paper airplanes, and other activities.
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Yes. Math Club grade levels are suggestions. You are welcome to attend any class. You are also welcome to move up or down depending on the topic.
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Tutors and Math Club share the same Zoom link.
- https://kcls.zoom.us/j/84814153950?pwd=TkgwSWpQREhlYjVVWG1zZHZORTNFZz09
- Meeting ID: 848 1415 3950
- Passcode: 883304
Dial in using your home phone or smartphone.
- Dial by your location
- (888) 475-4499 (toll-free)
- Meeting ID: 848 1415 3950
- Find your local number
During high traffic students may need to wait 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your patience.
Reading Buddies
Volunteers help students practice reading out loud. Two students are paired by reading level with each volunteer.
We focus on selecting books for:
- English language readers in grades K-8 and
- English language learners in grades K-12.
Reading Buddies in Libraries
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In-person at select libraries.
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Uses OverDrive eBooks shared on an iPad.
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Sign up for a 30-minute session at the Reading Buddies table.
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Unexpected absences or schedule changes may occur.
Reading Buddies Online
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Ask for Reading Buddies at your level.
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Connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
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Uses OverDrive eBooks shared on screen.
Schedule for Online Reading Buddies
| Mondays | 4:00-5:00pm |
| Tuesdays | 6:30-7:30pm |
| Wednesdays | 6:30-7:30pm |
| Thursdays | 4:00-5:00pm |
Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Buddies
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All students in grades K-12 are welcome. Books will be most appealing to students in grades K-8. A selection of books will be appealing to students in grades 6-12 who are very new to reading in English.
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In the library:
Yes. However, we prefer that you use the eBooks that are available on the iPads we provide. Librarians carefully select these books for variety and best fit at each level. Do you prefer print formats? Staff at your library may provide a small selection of printed books for each level.
Online:
No. The Zoom format is not suitable for sharing outside books.
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Use the Reading Buddies Level Guide to find your level.
- The samples represent the easiest text you will find in each level.
- Choose the level you can read with ease, missing or pausing over no more than 1-2 words in the sample text.
- Start with the easier level if you are in between two. Begin in the level you feel most confident in.
The books in each Reading Buddies level are selected for text density and visual appeal. This helps to ease reluctant readers into denser text as they move through the levels. Each level will have a range of easier and harder words and sentences. This offers challenges and ease as you complete daily reading practice.
Reading Buddies Levels:
- Pre-Level 1: Readers recognize letter sounds and can sound out shorter words. They may need extra support in beginning to sound out easy words. Books contain easy words, simple sentences and lots of pictures.
- Level 1: Readers recognize letter sounds and can sound out shorter words. They may read slowly and sound out most words. Books contain easy words, simple sentences and lots of pictures. Students in grades 6-12 can request Teen Level 1 books.
- Level 2: Readers can sound out most words with little help. Books contain more text and more complex sentences, but still plenty of pictures.
- Level 3: Readers are fluent readers and sound out complex words with little help. They are reading books with more dense text, complex sentences and fewer pictures.
- Level 4: Readers are fluent readers and sound out complex words with little help. They are reading books with dense text, complex sentences and few or no pictures. The Level 4 books may contain story content that is not suitable for grades K-3.
Kids & Teens Talk Time
High school volunteers lead daily activities for students in grades K-12 to practice conversation skills in English.
Kids & Teens Talk Time Online
- Ask for Kids Talk Time or Teen Talk Time.
- Connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Schedule for Online Talk Time
| Mondays | 4:00-5:00pm |
| Thursdays | 4:00-5:00pm |
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids & Teens Talk Time
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- Mondays are Doodle. This is good for anyone who speaks English at a beginner level.
- Thursdays are Comics Arts. This is good for anyone who speaks English at a beginner level.
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Kids Talk Time is for anyone in grades K-5. Teens Talk Time is for anyone in grades 6-12. 5th and 6th graders may join either group.
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All students in grades K-12 are welcome. You will be joining a fun and supportive group where you can practice English conversation.
Study Zone Terms of Use
Help keep Study Zone a safe and positive space for academic support.
- Do not share personal information (email/phone number, home address, school, etc.).
- Usernames should be anonymous, respectful and positive.
- Think about what is displayed in the background of your Zoom video. Are there any identifiable signs or buildings? Are there pictures, people, or rooms that should remain private?
- Do not agree to meet other students or volunteers outside of Study Zone, either online or in real life.
- Let us know if something makes you uncomfortable during Study Zone. Tell a rover, greeter, or librarian.
Tutors and students will:
- Be respectful. Be kind. Be safe.
- Take turns working with the volunteer.
- Be patient and use positive comments.
- Model the same online behavior that your teachers expect in school.
- Use the Chat box to ask for help or give needed information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Study Zone
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Log in and participate for any amount of time during Study Zone online hours. You do not need to register or provide personal information to participate.
After you connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet or smartphone:
- You will be on hold in the Zoom waiting room. During high traffic you may need to wait 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your patience.
- A greeter will admit you into the Zoom lobby.
- They will ask you to describe the help you need.
- You will be moved into a breakout room that fits your needs.
- Library staff and volunteer rovers will monitor the breakout rooms.
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All Study Zone programs are free.
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- Students are asked to follow the expected behaviors listed in our Terms of Use Agreement.
- A library employee supervises each online session. They will remove anyone who does not follow the Terms of Use Agreement.
- Volunteer rovers circulate among the rooms to observe. Rovers will drop in every few minutes whenever there is only one student in a room with a volunteer or staff.
- Unaccompanied adults are not permitted. Only parents and caregivers assisting their K-12 student may sit in.
