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.

Closure DatesClosure Dates

2024
January 15February 17-25
*April Spring Break: Study Zone online services remain open during April. Individual libraries may choose to close their in-library Tutors or Reading Buddies during their local spring break.
 
2024
January 15February 17-25
*April Spring Break: Study Zone online services remain open during April. Individual libraries may choose to close their in-library Tutors or Reading Buddies during their local spring break.
 

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

Mondays 4:00-6:00pm
Tuesdays 4:00-6:00pm
Wednesdays 4:00-6:00pm
Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm

Frequently Asked Questions About Tutors

    • 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. 

Math Club

High school volunteers teach one-hour lessons each week. Lessons are separated into daily topics by suggested grades for K-8.

Closure DatesClosure Dates

2024
January 15February 17-25
*April Spring Break: Study Zone online services remain open during April. Individual libraries may choose to close their in-library Tutors or Reading Buddies during their local spring break.
 
2024
January 15February 17-25
*April Spring Break: Study Zone online services remain open during April. Individual libraries may choose to close their in-library Tutors or Reading Buddies during their local spring break.
 

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

4:15-5:15 Core Lessons Grades K-1
4:30-5:30 Core Lessons Grades 2-3
4:45-5:45 Core Lessons Grades 4-5

Wednesdays

4:30-5:30 Math Games Grades 2-3
4:15-5:15 Math Games Grades K-1
4:45-5:45 Math Games Grades 4-5

Thursdays

5:30-6:30 6th Grade
5:30-6:30 Geometry
6:30-7:30 7th Grade
6:30-7:30 Algebra

Frequently Asked Questions About Math Club

  • 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.

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

  • In-person at select libraries.
  • Uses OverDrive eBooks shared on an iPad.
  • Sign up for a 30-minute session at the Reading Buddies table.
  • Unexpected absences or schedule changes may occur.

Reading Buddies Online

  • Ask for Reading Buddies at your level.
  • Connect to Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
  • 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

  • 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.

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
Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Thursdays 4:00-5:00pm

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Kids & Teens Talk Time

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

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

  • 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.
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