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Study Zone

Study Zone

Connect to homework help and resources!

Contents

In-Person Tutors and Reading Buddies

Study Zone Tutors and Reading Buddies are available in-person at libraries. Additional locations will be added in September 2023.

In-Person Tutors

Drop in any time during program hours to study and get homework help.  In-person Tutors work with1-5 students in a group setting. Students bring homework or study materials to work from.

In-Person Reading Buddies

Drop-in to sign up for a 30-minute Reading Buddy session.  Two students sign up for the same reading level on each session.  The Reading Buddy eBooks are available to view on an iPad.  The eBook selection changes every two weeks.

Tutor Language and Subject Specialties

Find a language or subject specialist. Unexpected absences or schedule changes may occur.

Online Study Zone

Study Zone volunteers offer academic support online for students in grades K-12.  

 Log in during open hours for: 

  • Free homework help  
  • Access to KCLS librarians  
  • Language and reading support  
  • Social activities 

Type your requested activity in the Chat or wait for the Greeter to call on you.  Students will be moved to breakout rooms for the service they choose. 

Online Schedule and How to Connect

Online Study Zone programs will be closed:

June 19-29

Study Zone Tutors (grades K-12)
Study Zone Tutors (grades K-12)

Drop in on Zoom any time during Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4-6pm.

Connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Join Tutors and Math Club Zoom Meetings:

https://kcls.zoom.us/j/84814153950?pwd=TkgwSWpQREhlYjVVWG1zZHZORTNFZz09 
Meeting ID: 848 1415 3950
Passcode: 883304 

Dial in using your home phone or smartphone.

During high traffic students may need to wait 5-10 minutes to be let in. Thank you for your patience.

 

Math Club (grades K-8)
Reading Buddies and Talk Time (grades K-6 & ELL to grade 12)

Math Club Schedule

Practice core math skills. Each 1-hour Math Club class is separated by suggested grade level.  Log in a few minutes before the lesson begins and request the class you want to attend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Study Zone: Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • All Study Zone programs are free.

    • 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.

  • Study Zone instructors are volunteers from our communities who have:

    • passed a Washington State patrol background check and
    • completed a program orientation

    Volunteers range in age from teens aged 15 and older to retired adults. For Math Club and Kids & Teen Talk Time all volunteers are high school students.

View more about Study Zone

Tutors: Frequently Asked Questions

    • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Yes. Tutors are available to help you study a language. English language learners may also find a tutor who speaks their preferred language.

    Every Tutors session is different. Check date-specific descriptions in the library event calendar for language details.

  • Some students have asked for tutors who reflect their identity. For example, tutors who are Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC). Contact studyzone@kcls.org for help connecting with specific tutors.

  • Tutors and Math Club share the same Zoom link.

    Dial in using your home phone or smartphone.

    During high traffic students may need to wait 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your patience.

  • The library offers free online tutoring with Brainfuse. This online service is available from 1:00pm-11:00pm.

View more about Tutors

Math Club: Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Tutors and Math Club share the same Zoom link.

    Dial in using your home phone or smartphone.

    During high traffic students may need to wait 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your patience.

View more about Math Club

Reading Buddies: Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • Yes, if you are in the library and the book matches the Reading Buddies level you signed up for. The online Zoom format is not suitable for sharing outside books.

  • 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.

    • Pronouncing and sounding out words
    • Understanding what you are reading
    • Setting a reading pace
    • Reading when English is not your first language

  • Books have visuals to help readers understand what the text is about.

    Volunteers help with pronunciation and comprehension. Activities focus on:

    • Reading out loud
    • Listening to other students read out loud
    • Speaking

  • Reading Buddies and Kids & Teens Talk Time share the same Zoom link.

    Dial in using your home phone or smartphone.

    During high traffic students may need to wait 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your patience.

View more about Reading Buddies

Kids & Teen Talk Time: Frequently Asked Questions

    • Mondays are Escape Rooms. These are good for anyone who speaks and reads English at an intermediate level.
    • Tuesdays are Pictionary. This is good for anyone who speaks English at a beginner level.
    • Wednesdays are Comics Arts. This is good for anyone who speaks English at a beginner level.

  • 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.

  • All students in grades K-12 are welcome. You will be joining a fun and supportive group where you can practice English conversation.

  • Reading Buddies and Kids & Teens Talk Time share the same Zoom link.

    Dial in using your home phone or smartphone.

    During high traffic students may need to wait 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your patience

View more about Kids & Teens Talk Time

Need more help?

You can also find free tutoring support online at Brainfuse. (Brainfuse is available from 1pm to 11pm.)

Related Resources

Databases

Kids Databases

Teen Databases

A-Z List of All Resources

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