Award-Winning 2nd Grade Vocabulary Tutors

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Award-Winning 2nd Grade Vocabulary Tutors

Jane

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Jane

Current Undergrad Student, English
Jane's other Tutor Subjects
ACT Prep
ACT English
ACT Math
ACT Reading

I am a current student at Princeton University, obtaining a major in English with minors in Environmental Studies and Musical Theater. I graduated from Sewickley Academy in 2016 as a member of the Cum Laude Society with highest honors for all semesters. I am an AP Scholar with Honors, an Academic Al...

Education

Princeton University

Current Undergrad Student, English

Test Scores
SAT
1540
ACT
34
Anna

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Anna

Current Grad Student, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Anna's other Tutor Subjects
ACCUPLACER ESL - Listening
ACCUPLACER ESL - Reading Skills
ACCUPLACER ESL - Sentence Meaning
ACCUPLACER Language Use

With each of my experiences working with children my passion for education has grown. I first came to Austin to work with a Spanish literacy intervention program through Americorps called A Community for Education (ACE). After my service with ACE I taught at a dual language (Spanish-English) school ...

Education

Oberlin College

Bachelors, Comparative American Studies

The University of Texas at Austin

Current Grad Student, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Deborah

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Deborah

Master of Arts, English
Deborah's other Tutor Subjects
6th Grade AP Language Composition
ACT Writing
Business
Business Writing

My MA in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition, together with my MA in Adult Education and Continuing Education, qualified me to have a stellar forty-three-year career as a full-time college professor predominately in the University System of Georgia. I have successfully instructe...

Education

Georgia State University

Master of Arts, English

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Master of Arts, Adult and Continuing Education

University of Georgia

Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Deborah

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Deborah

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Deborah's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Algebra 2
Geometry
Math

Hi. I love math and I love teaching math. I am a state certified high school math teacher. I have 31 years of classroom experience. I currently teach Pre-Calculus and AP Statistics.

Education

Clark Atlanta University

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics

Katherine

Certified Tutor

Katherine

Current Undergrad Student, Computer Science
Katherine's other Tutor Subjects
ACT Science
ACT Writing
Adult Literacy
AP Computer Science Principles

Hi, my name is Katherine and I've been tutoring in various capacities since 2012. Although I'm currently studying Computer Science at Swarthmore College, I have expertise in a number of subject areas and I'd love to help you out.

Education

Swarthmore College

Current Undergrad Student, Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Samantha

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Samantha

Juris Doctor, International Law
Samantha's other Tutor Subjects
1st-12th Grade Reading
1st-12th Grade Writing
1st-8th Grade Math
3rd-5th Grade Science

I believe every student has a unique learning skill set and every teacher continues to learn from her students. To ensure every student receives the best tutoring, I strive to offer excellent communication and a diverse set of teaching skills.I obtained my Bachelor in Business Administration from th...

Education

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Bachelor in Business Administration, International Business/French

Vermont Law School

Juris Doctor, International Law

Christopher

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Christopher

Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Algebra 2
Math
Middle School Math

I am a current student at Rutgers University on track to major in Electrical Engineering. I tutor a wide range of math from elementary level up to high school and college. This range includes algebra, trigonometry, pre-calc and calculus. I have had many experiences through my high school and outside...

Education

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1420
Jerry

Certified Tutor

Jerry

Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Jerry's other Tutor Subjects
ACT Writing
SAT Mathematics
Test Prep

Hey, I enjoy teaching math, computer science, and the SAT! Contact me if you are interested in these.

Education

The Texas A&M University System Office

Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Test Scores
SAT
1570
Amy

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Amy

Bachelor in Arts, French
Amy's other Tutor Subjects
College English
College Essays
Comparative Literature
Conversational Italian

I have a B.A. in French and a diploma in Business French from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Paris. I also speak Greek, Italian, and Spanish.I have worked as a private tutor in the area of foreign languages, essay writing, and a variety of other subjects for more than a decade. In that time...

Education

Hofstra

Bachelor in Arts, French

Gabrielle

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Gabrielle

Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
Gabrielle's other Tutor Subjects
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP European History
Biology

I am recent graduate of Binghamton University, with a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology. I am deeply committed to the value of education, and believe that learning is a gift and an opportunity for growth that should be available to everyone. For this reason, I am passionate about tutoring and helping ...

Education

SUNY at Binghamton

Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Julie

Languages Tutor • +4 Subjects

I am a graduate of LaSalle University in Mexico City. I received my Bachelor of Science degree inBusiness Administration with a focus on management. I am also a certifiedteacher of Spanish. Since graduation I have worked in Human Resources and I havealso been tutoring children and adults in private and public schools, as wellas online. I am very enthusiastic about teaching my native language because Ifeel that in that way I am enriching my students' education and experiences inlearning aspects of another culture. One area where we seem to have the mostfun is prepping for exams and writing assignments. I am a firm proponent ofeducation, and as a tutor, my approach is based on each of my students'level of proficiency, their goals, and their learning pace. I focus on providinga pleasant and safe experience for my students. I prepare lesson plans that arecreative and introduce new topics in a fun way, spending enough time reviewingthe material. Afterwards, I allow students time to practice on their own. I encourage you to contact me to schedule so togetherwe can start achieving your goals

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Anna

ACT Writing Tutor • +27 Subjects

I honestly love tutoring. While working in finance and publishing over the past decade, I have independently tutored students from many premiere NY and NJ high schools and universities. I continued tutoring even after joining a major private equity firm because of how much I enjoy working one-on-one with students. Breaking down seemingly complex subjects is one of my favorite pastimes--it's part of the reason I also enjoy writing about arcane financial topics like quanto spreads on sovereign CDS. I've also developed a newfound respect for the challenges students face when undergoing years of testing after developing my own study plan to pass the first two CFA exams (I'm taking the third exam in June). This experience has shaped how I work with students to tackle test-taking anxiety and master difficult material quickly.I have both a BA and MA in English from New York University.

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Catherine

Algebra Tutor • +15 Subjects

Hello! My name is Catherine Raj and I am a second-year medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Neuroscience in 2022. Since 2015, I have tutored children from ages 3-16 in areas of math and reading, as well as their school curriculum. Apart from tutoring here, I have worked for the Kumon Learning Center as a teaching instructor for 5 years. While I am certified to tutor a broad range of subjects, I have years of experience with tutoring young children in math and reading, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, phonics, reading comprehension, and much more. I connect with elementary and middle school students very well, as I believe in understanding children in order to give them a fulfilling tutoring experience. I also very much enjoy tutoring pre-algebra and algebra as those are my favorite math subjects, as well as my best! My students and I have always had a deeper level of understanding beyond the books and I pride my style of teaching on that aspect.

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Grace

ACCUPLACER Arithmetic Tutor • +22 Subjects

I am a graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Education (3.95 GPA) and New York University (3.98 GPA). I have worked with students of all ages. I love adapting my teaching style to the individual needs of each student to help them fulfill their greatest potentials.

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Sarah

Elementary School Math Tutor • +20 Subjects

I have been a special education teacher in Somerset County for the last 5 years. I have worked in self-contained classrooms and am currently working as a 4th grade resource room Reading and Math teacher. Next spring, I will graduate from Rutgers University's Graduate School of Education with an Ed.M in Reading Education. I will be a certified Reading Specialist as well as a certified supervisor. I am currently a certified Literacy Specialist.

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Chester

Creative Writing Tutor • +18 Subjects

I love English, and good writing. Since I like working one-or-one or with a small group, tutoring is a great way for me to help young people communicate more effectively in writing. As a social scientist, I also like to talking about statistics and social science. I like to teach by example and ask lots of questions so students can discover answers themselves. When not working, I like to watch movies, exercise, and write science fiction.

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Maria

ACT Prep Tutor • +15 Subjects

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Denison University. I am currently pursuing an M.D. at Case Western Reserve University. I've been a college-level teaching assistant for both introductory biology and general chemistry. Besides chemistry, I really enjoy tutoring for test prep (ACT and MCAT) because I view these types of tests to be a collection of puzzles to solve. It's a lot of fun helping students to figure out the logic behind these puzzles and apply it broadly, and it's incredibly rewarding to see this integration of knowledge translate to a high score. When working with students, I like to challenge them to identify the purpose of the problem or question and what underlying reasoning can be applied broadly in future questions. In doing so, students gain more long-term usable skills and the ability to think independently.

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Juliet

Adult Literacy Tutor • +12 Subjects

Passionate social justice advocate eager to serve as a mentor to the youth. Sociologist at heart. I am the rose that grew from the concrete.

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Theo

ACT Prep Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a current undergraduate student at Columbia University in New York City, pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in History and Economics. These are two of the subjects that I enjoy tutoring the most, but I also have a penchant for tutoring and learning about math and literature. I am passionate about tutoring because I benefited from the personalized guidance of great tutors in my past and I really enjoy seeing students push themselves and develop an appreciation for subject areas or even the mental exercise of test-taking thanks to tutoring. I also believe that tutoring a subject area is the greatest way to maintain and develop understanding of its material for both the student and the tutor. I was an active tutor in high school in mathematics and history and as I take more classes in college, I look forward to tutoring students in those in which I understood the material really well. In my spare time, I enjoy reading about history, camping, biking, and traveling when I can (or exploring the incredible city of New York)!

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Qin

Conversational Mandarin Tutor • +14 Subjects

Living in Great New York Area since 2008. Graduate student at Columbia University.Major in Finance + Economics (Undergraduate Program), and Public Administration (Graduate Program), Average GPA is 3.65.Speak Mandarin, English and Japanese.Subjects cover East Asian History (China & Japan), International Relation, Public sector (NPO related).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Second graders are transitioning from sight words to understanding word meanings in context, which presents unique challenges. Common struggles include distinguishing between similar words (like "big" vs. "large"), understanding multiple meanings of the same word (like "run" as a verb or noun), and grasping abstract concepts like emotions or time-related words. Many 2nd graders also struggle with compound words, contractions, and recognizing root words with prefixes and suffixes—skills that are foundational for reading fluency and comprehension.

Effective 2nd grade vocabulary tutoring goes beyond flashcards by connecting new words to real experiences and visual context. Tutors use strategies like word sorting activities, creating personal sentences with new vocabulary, drawing pictures to represent word meanings, and reading engaging texts where students encounter words repeatedly. This multi-sensory approach helps words stick in long-term memory and teaches students to use context clues—a critical skill for independent reading and comprehension.

Strong vocabulary is directly linked to reading comprehension; students who know word meanings understand stories better and stay engaged with texts. When a 2nd grader encounters unfamiliar words while reading, a tutor teaches them to use surrounding context, illustrations, and word structure to figure out meanings independently. This builds confidence and fluency, allowing students to focus on the story rather than getting stuck on individual words, which significantly improves their overall reading enjoyment and achievement.

Signs that a 2nd grader may benefit from vocabulary tutoring include difficulty understanding grade-level stories, limited use of descriptive words in their own writing or speech, trouble following multi-step directions, and reluctance to read or participate in class discussions. You might also notice they frequently ask "What does that word mean?" or struggle to explain what they've read. A tutor can assess your child's current vocabulary level and identify specific gaps, then create a personalized plan to build both receptive vocabulary (understanding words) and expressive vocabulary (using words).

When 2nd graders have a stronger vocabulary, their writing becomes more vivid and descriptive. A tutor helps students move beyond simple, repetitive words (like using "said" every time instead of "whispered," "shouted," or "asked") and teaches them to choose words that match their intended meaning and emotion. Through guided practice, students learn to use new vocabulary words in their own sentences and stories, which builds both their confidence as writers and their ability to express ideas more precisely and creatively.

A strong 2nd grade vocabulary tutor understands child development and uses age-appropriate, engaging materials that make learning feel like play rather than work. They should be skilled at selecting words that are just beyond your child's current level (not too easy, not too hard), using multiple teaching methods like games, storytelling, and hands-on activities, and providing specific feedback on word usage in reading and writing. They should also communicate progress clearly and adjust their approach based on how your child learns best.

Parents can reinforce vocabulary learning by reading aloud together, pausing to discuss unfamiliar words and ask "What do you think that word means?" based on context clues. Playing word games, labeling items around the house, and encouraging your child to use new words in conversations all strengthen vocabulary naturally. A tutor can suggest specific words to focus on and recommend books and activities tailored to your child's interests, making home practice feel connected and purposeful rather than like additional homework.

Vocabulary growth is gradual but measurable. With consistent, personalized tutoring and practice, many 2nd graders show noticeable improvement in their ability to understand and use new words within 4-6 weeks. You'll likely notice your child using new words in their writing and conversations, asking more questions about word meanings, and showing greater confidence during reading. The key is regular exposure and practice—tutors typically recommend weekly sessions combined with brief, enjoyable reinforcement at home for the best results.

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