The Running Springs PAL group runs an afternoon study hall/tutoring program. Every Tuesday and Thursday PALs are assigned to help first through third graders with their school work. Some of the lower elementary students are assigned to the study hall by their teachers to help them academically. Other students choose to stay after school to get help with their homework. PAL students are available to answer questions and provide tutoring.

Once a week, Pioneer Middle School PAL students walk to a local elementary school during lunch to tutor students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Elementary students are tutored on a one-on-one basis, mostly in reading. PAL students are supervised by the PAL advisor and the elementary teacher in each classroom. The teachers also provide training for the PAL students to help them understand the needs of the students.

Palm Lane Elementary School’s tutoring program is called Tutoring Corner . Fourth and fifth grade PAL students are available to tutor their peers in all grade levels. They utilize their library as a drop-in center every Tuesday and Wednesday before school. They average 15-20 students each day. All tutors received training that covered basic tutoring skills and positive reinforcement. They provide individual tutoring as well as work in small groups, and utilize flashcards and textbooks donated by teachers. The advisor supervises the tutors and provides them with the materials they need.

During their cross-age tutoring with the primary grade students, Melbourne Gauer Elementary School PAL peer leaders noticed that some students were struggling with reading because they did not know their high frequency words. In response, PAL students created a High Frequency Word PowerPoint program to help kindergarten through second grade students practice these important words. First, the PALs took the primary grades’ high frequency word lists. Next, they recorded their voices on the computer saying each of the words. Every slide in the PowerPoint has one of the high frequency words. When a student clicks on a word, the audio file plays, allowing the student the opportunity to hear and then say the word. The younger students enjoyed using this program and the primary teachers thought it was an effective way for their students to learn the words needed to increase their literacy skills.