On May 15th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the AYLUS GN Branch hosts a dedicated tutoring hour designed to introduce elementary and middle school students to foundational geometry in an engaging, stress-free environment. Led by four high-achieving high school tutors—Baiyu Chen, Ivy Li, Rebecca Xu, and Summer Lu—the program simplifies geometry basics like shapes, angles, symmetry, and measurement, making math approachable and fun for young learners.
Baiyu Chen, known for his patience and creativity, uses hands-on activities to teach concepts such as polygons and area calculation. He often incorporates building blocks or origami to demonstrate how shapes fit together in real life. “Watching kids light up when they build a perfect hexagon is the best part,” he says. Ivy Li focuses on interactive games, turning lessons about angles and symmetry into playful competitions. Her “Angle Detective” game, where students use protractors to solve “mysteries,” has become a favorite. Rebecca Xu blends art and geometry, guiding students to create geometric patterns or tessellations with colored paper. One parent shared, “My daughter used to hate math, but now she’s obsessed with Rebecca’s art projects!” Meanwhile, Summer Lu ties geometry to everyday scenarios, like calculating the perimeter of a playground or identifying shapes in nature. Her storytelling approach—think “adventures” with triangles and circles—helps kids grasp abstract ideas.
Sessions are structured to keep young minds engaged. From 6:00–6:15 PM, tutors set up interactive stations with puzzles, art supplies, and measuring tools. During the core tutoring time (6:15–6:45 PM), students rotate through activities tailored to their learning pace, whether mastering basic shapes or exploring simple area formulas. The final 15 minutes (6:45–7:00 PM) often involve group challenges, like building the tallest structure using geometric principles or collaborative “shape scavenger hunts” around the library.
The program’s impact is evident in both academic progress and student enthusiasm. Teachers have noted improved classroom participation among attendees, particularly in spatial reasoning tasks. One shy 3rd grader, who initially struggled to distinguish quadrilaterals, now proudly explains the differences between rectangles and rhombuses to classmates. Parents also highlight growing confidence, with many children eagerly pointing out geometric concepts at home—from the symmetry of dinner plates to the angles of staircases.
For the tutors, the experience has honed their ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terms. Ivy Li admits, “Teaching kids forces you to think outside the box—you can’t just rely on equations.” The program has also strengthened their leadership skills, as managing young learners’ energy requires creativity and adaptability.
While the focus on foundational geometry has been successful, challenges remain. Balancing mixed age groups (6–14-year-olds) sometimes leads to varying attention spans, but tutors address this by grouping students by skill level. High demand has also prompted plans to expand the program, potentially adding morning sessions for homeschooled students.
In conclusion, the GN Station Library’s geometry tutoring hour proves that early exposure to math, when paired with enthusiasm and innovation, can spark lifelong curiosity. By transforming textbooks into tactile adventures, Baiyu, Ivy, Rebecca, and Summer are not just teaching shapes and angles—they’re building a foundation for future problem-solvers.
Report prepared by Baiyu Chen
Hours:
Baiyu Chen – 1 hour
Rebecca Xu – 1 hour
Summer Lu – 1 hour
Ivy Li – 1 hour
