ABQ SocraticCircles
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Our teaching approach

How Socratic tutoring works

In our Albuquerque math and science sessions, students learn to explain their thinking—not just repeat an answer. Rafael guides the conversation with questions, examples, and practice that fit the child.

Grades 3–5English / Spanish1–4 students

A fractions lesson, step by step

Suppose a fourth grader says that 1/4 and 1/2 are the same size. Instead of simply correcting the answer, Rafael can use a drawing and a few questions.

1/4
1/2

Tutor: “How many equal parts is each whole divided into?”

Tutor: “If we shade one part in each, which shaded part is larger?”

Then: The student explains the difference and tries a new example to check their understanding.

What a session feels like

  1. 1

    Start with what the child knows

    A short problem or conversation shows where the student feels confident and where they get stuck.

  2. 2

    Ask, draw, and reason together

    Rafael asks focused questions and uses a picture, object, or worked example when that will help.

  3. 3

    Give clear instruction when needed

    Questions are a teaching tool, not a guessing game. If a concept is new, he explains it directly before the student practices.

  4. 4

    Practice and explain it back

    The student tries a fresh problem and tells Rafael how they know their answer makes sense.

Built for young learners

This approach is especially useful when a child can memorize a procedure but struggles to explain it, feels nervous about mistakes, or needs stronger foundations in multiplication, fractions, word problems, or science reasoning. The pace changes with the student.

Private tutoring gives one child the full conversation. In a well-matched group, two to four children can compare ideas and explain their reasoning to one another. Four is the firm limit.

At-home sessions are available in Albuquerque. Families provide a quiet table without phones, TV, music, or other background distractions.

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Questions families ask

Will my child be expected to know the answer already?

No. Rafael uses questions to find the next useful step. He explains and models unfamiliar ideas, then checks whether the child can apply them.

Can a shy child benefit from this approach?

Yes. The conversation starts with low-pressure observations and drawings. Private sessions are available when a child would feel more comfortable one-on-one.

Is tutoring available in Spanish?

Rafael is fully bilingual and can support students and families in English or Spanish. Tell us your preferred language when you inquire.