Menu
raising your child's math knowledge to a whole new level in 2023
Your online math tutoring changed the way math help is delivered, like how Amazon changed the way I shop. THANK YOU!
1-on-1 Online Math Tutoring
for your 6th or 5th grader needing effective math help or enrichment
Free Noise-Canceling Headset
for every student who is part of Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring
Interactive Help
with the NYS 6th or 5th grade Next Generation Math Standards
PARENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE
"Traditional math tutors just help with homework. Your Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring had our daughter doing 1-on-1 interactive math lessons. There is nothing like it anywhere."
"Thanks so much for all your efforts in cresting this superstar math girl! I knew she could do it. I just needed the right math tutor."
"This was the best thing we did for our son. What could've been a rough year, was the opposite! He gained confidence and enthusiasm for a challenging subject and never complained! What he gained will help him in his future."
"Our daughter surprised herself with how much math progress she made with Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring. Things really turned around once she started working with you. Thanks for your patience and support."
"We are more than appreciative for bringing both of our children from level 2 (grade 5 state math test) and in 6th grade math workshop, to getting into accelerated math for 7th grade."
"A+ for math tutoring and A+ for the support and advice you gave us as my daughter transitioned from elementary to middle school."
"Your time with my son has changed his attitude toward math, and more than math knowledge, you gave him the self confidence to succeed and grow."
"Your online math tutoring changed the way math help is delivered, like Amazon changed the way I shop. THANK YOU!"
Quick Jump
About Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring
Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring, established by Barry Hoffman in 2013, is now in its 10th year providing a full-service, interactive, online math tutoring experience using powerful kid friendly educational technology for an active learning experience in a virtual classroom. Learning is about student engagement; this does not exist with tutors who now use passive programs like Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and other trends since Covid. Screen sharing does not keep students active and engaged online. These common methods have the teacher talking and the student listening or following along. Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring has your child doing, and has never used screen sharing as a way of teaching. For 10 years, Barry Hoffman has improved upon his interactive and personally designed virtual math classroom which is driven by passion, innovation, and experience to create a highly effective experience for one-on-one math tutoring. This is only for 6th and 5th graders needing math help or wanting enrichment. The student is at their house using their computer interacting live with Mr. Hoffman, who is at his house using his computer. Mr. Hoffman limits the number of students he privately works with each school year to give each child the personal and “on-demand” math help and attention they deserve each week in order to make significant math progress.
How It Works
Our math sessions happen with real time communication taking place between me and the student with my personalized virtual math classroom using a pen tablet and audio/video conferencing. The powerful virtual classroom lets us experience what the other person is writing, while also sharing our math. This classroom has student-friendly features including unlimited whiteboards, drawing and geometry tools, graphing grids, and the ability to write over any file. We both use graphic pen tablets that create an interactive, motivating, and visual based learning approach, and together, the tablet with the interactive whiteboards, let us write on the same “page,” even better than sitting side by side and writing on the same paper during a “traditional” tutoring session.
Getting Started
One of the most important aspects of Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring, is that I come to the student’s home to meet with your child and the family. Background information is gathered about the child’s math history and interests, while equipment is evaluated, hooked up, taught, and tested. A complete trial run is made with both myself and your child in the home. All the tools of the classroom are taught and questions are answered in person before online math sessions begin. Once the equipment and classroom are set up, we can schedule the math work to begin.
Scheduling and "Need-It-Now"
Scheduling is different than you may think. A weekly day and session time are decided. The sessions are based on an approximate of 60 minutes, but the session length is completely flexible; 60 minutes may not be needed, or more time may be requested on the spot based on your child’s needs that day. In addition, Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring offers a unique feature called “Need-It-Now” online help. With “Need-It-Now,” I am also on call for your child when they need that “emergency” math help; which can be an important time for them. This feature acts as a true support for the student. An e-request for a needed online meeting can be sent to me anytime for help with hw questions, test review, or any support your child needs to get them through their immediate situation with their math work. An e-reminder is sent to the student and parent 1 hour before every online session.
9 Unique Benefits of Online Tutoring
Math is an essential area! Current 11 and 12 year olds were born into a digital world, and the way we help students learn has to adapt to this changing world. Today’s students are connecting and learning through the latest advances in technology. This is creating a vibrant environment full of interactivity, where young people connect in ways that enrich their lives in and out of the classroom. Hoffkids Online Tutoring meets these needs and has benefits to the child and their family.
Flexibility
Our days are busy and demanding. Online tutoring sessions are not bound by time or place, and therefore help with flexibility for the parent's schedules. Online tutoring reduces stress on the student and works around their unique needs. If a session is scheduled for 5pm and the student is running late and needs to make it 5:30pm, that simply happens by digital contact to Mr. Hoffman, and an on the spot adjustment is made.
Feedback "Full Service"
This is amazing! Both parents (doesn't happen with traditional tutoring) get their own personal and secure web page about their child's detailed sessions which is updated after each meeting. This password protected web page always communicates what was accomplished, length of sessions, scheduled sessions for the month, observations, goals for your child, colorful progress meters, and more.
Need-It-Now
Sometimes after school or at night, a student needs help with their math hw because they are lost or confused. They want help even on days that they don't have a scheduled math session. The "Need-It-Now" emergency math help I provide is only a quick digital contact away, and an online math session can happen within minutes to help your child get through those rough math nights and reduce stress. This helps the child feel more prepared and confident the next day in class. With this feature, your child can get the math help when they need it most and is only provided by the online learning experience.
Increased responsibility
Online tutoring teaches your child greater responsibility and independence as the student must be prepared for sessions, be more proactive with communication, and take more control of their learning. The math learner takes on more ownership of their tutor sessions with Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring.
Convenience
Online tutoring allows the family to focus on and balance their other obligations as your child takes care of their responsibilities at our meeting time. It frees up more time for the parents as the parents are not forced to be home for a tutor session, or drive and sit somewhere, and they do not have to fit it into their hectic schedule. That alone is like hours of your life as a parent reclaimed every single week.
Atmosphere
Online tutoring provides a relaxed atmosphere (and no need to clean the house-YES!). A more relaxed student + a more relaxed parent = a more productive math learner and a happier day in your home.
Creativity
Powerful interactive virtual math classroom software enhances student creativity using math and drawing tools that are needed in middle and high school. My virtual classroom boasts a robust feature set with intuitive and easy to use whiteboard tools. These tools make it even easier to creatively collaborate to enhance the math learning experience.
Visual based learning
Online tutoring directly aligns with how students learn in today's world. Kids love visuals and technology, especially to communicate. Here they are using their computer, interacting with math tools, and creating diagrams with color. They are not just going over homework from math worksheets, but your child is actively involved, creating, and learning more efficiently through one-on-one lessons adapted from my 6th grade math class of nearly two decades.
Hoffkids.com full access
Mr. Hoffman's online tutored students enjoy total access to all areas (including password protected) and all features of his highly effective Hoffkids.com; a very popular site exclusively for 5th/6th grade math students.
Equipment the Student Will Need
Hoffkids Virtual Math Classroom
I will set up the personally designed Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring virtual classroom software on your computer at your house during "install" day and teach your child how to use.
Graphic pen tablet
I will provide a high quality pen tablet in the beginning, and will offer to buy it back at the end or you can keep!
Webcam
Most desktops and laptops have one built in, and this is a must for our online math sessions to happen.
Headset with microphone
A FREE professional noise-canceling headset with microphone and sidetone is given to your child as a gift for being part of this special experience.
Desktop or laptop
An updated working Apple or PC (within the last 3 years) desktop, Chromebook, or laptop in good condition with a very reliable internet connection. iPads and tablets will not work.
About the Founder
Barry Hoffman is in his 22nd year teaching and working intensely with the 6th grade math curriculum at Weber Middle School in Port Washington, N.Y. Barry has worked with over 1,600 6th graders developing their math skills, confidence, and interest in math, with technology at almost every step. Some of these students have individual education programs, and he has also gotten over 550 6th graders into accelerated math for grade 7. He is the founder and creator of Hoffkids.com; an interactive 6th grade math educational website aimed at kids aged 10-12 with over 1/2 million visits in 2 decades.
MORE ABOUT ME
BACKGROUND
I graduated from Hofstra University with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education + 60 credits. I also have a middle school extension degree in math for grades 7-9 which has prepared me for the challenging new topics set forth for 6th graders in New York. I am a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics which is vital in helping teachers learn the most effective ways to teach young students math and reduce anxiety for maximum understanding and real world application. My math background combined with his integration of technology, passion, time spent preparing, and ability to relate to children ages 10-12, have attributed to consistent successes.
GOALS
My personal goals for working with students include; reducing or eliminating math anxiety, raising their interest in math, increasing their confidence, increasing critical thinking, and teaching the relevance and benefits to math strength. My strength is in student motivation and making math relevant for kids to achieve maximum inner desire to learn. This leads to an increase in student confidence, math understanding, and performance (all while keeping it fun and engaging).
14 Frequently Asked Questions
What grade does my child have to be in to receive math help from Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring?
Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring is only for kids finishing 5th grade, entering, or going through 6th grade. I cannot tutor my own students from my current 6th grade math classes.
How do you find my child's math weaknesses or current math level, to maximize learning?
Learning does not begin with your child learning math. It begins with Mr. Hoffman learning where your child's math gaps, weaknesses, and areas of strength are. Mr. Hoffman accomplishes this early on with a set of deep optional computer based math diagnostics that pinpoint your child's math weaknesses and NYS Standard gaps from any grade level. When completed, this helps lay the sequential math program to help your child learn those crucial math skills which they are missing from prior years. This is the proper beginning to help anyone; find out what they know and do not know first.
What communication is there between Mr. Hoffman and the parents to know what was accomplished, my child's progress, and to receive feedback?
One unique feature of Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring is that each student gets their own webpage (ex. www.Hoffkids.com/Kyle123) just for the parents to visit to monitor each session. The parent can visit their safe and secure web page anytime, and see the date, time, and how long each session was, what was accomplished, cost for the session, notices for the parents, monthly schedule, goals, and any homework that was assigned. The parent's web page is updated within 8 hours of our session.
Would you do later sessions like 7pm so my child can do their math homework independently after school, then check or ask for help? We do not just want a traditional tutor to do homework.
Yes! Now you are seeing the benefits and one reason behind the popularity behind Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring. The time flexibility enhances the learning outcomes of the child.
What days and times are you available for online tutoring sessions?
I am available for as many flexible one-hour online sessions per week up to 10pm that your child may need. I am available weekdays, evenings, weekends, vacations, child sick days, snow days, and summers. Sessions can be as short or as long as needed. Just tell me your ideas and goals, and I will try my best to accommodate you and your child.
What makes Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring more effective over traditional tutors?
01. Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring uses digital real interactive math lessons from my working 6th grade classroom. It is like your child is the only one who is in a real classroom at school. I am there to support them with their math as well as the challenges they face as 6th graders transitioning in their first year of middle school. I live it every day in my classroom.
02. I am solely focused on the needs of the 6th grade math student in NY because of my 18 years of extensive and specialized work knowing the 6th grade NYS math curriculum inside and out. I am ahead of any changes that take place. My success and the success of my students will continue with the 2019 NYS Next Generation Math Learning Standards.
03. Parents gets their own secure and private detailed web page about their child's math progress to always know what was accomplished during our sessions and keep their eyes on the goals as they are met. This has voiced by parents to be "100 times more valuable" than a quick verbal meeting in the kitchen after a session of "traditional home tutoring."
04. The effective math diagnostics that I have hand created and tailored for my students, really make the difference. I call it deep diagnostics because of how it pinpoints almost every math skill for any grade, and aligns with all NYS standards for every grade level. Very powerful!
Can every child benefit from your special online math tutoring?
Every child has room for growth and has the ability to become a better math learner. However, I do not think Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring is for every child and family. The service will be highly effective for kids who want to try their best and are positive about the idea of being tutored and getting better at math. This online help is not as effective for children with attention issues. The child needs to be able to focus more independently because they are the only one physically in their room. In addition, children with fine motor issues will potentially have great difficulty with this online method as it uses a special graphic pen tablet.
Your child needs to be comfortable with using technology and accepting some new easy technology to learn. They will become familiar with the short "learning curve" to using a pen tablet and whiteboard software. If they are patient and understand that the tablet and program take a little time to get used to, they will enjoy the benefits of these features. The family needs to be patient, supportive, and highly communicative with both their child and myself with how things are progressing, what is working or not, and sharing suggestions.
Do you offer math enrichment to help my child be more challenged as a thinker, help get into accelerated math, or work at a higher level with problem solving?
Absolutely! Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring is not just for kids needing math help, but also for those wanting extra challenge, to think more critically and reach a goal like accelerated math for grade 7. This is done with non-routine problem solving requiring higher order thinking skills. It is accomplished through a successful and fun program that Mr. Hoffman has developed through thousands of hours during the last 8 years. All math problems are in digital format and worked on together for maximum brain burn and learning. Much fun! Click HERE to read more about this enrichment program.
What starting technology expenses are there for the family and is this technology compatible with both Macs and PCs?
The student needs a fine working computer (about 3 years old or newer) with a webcam, reliable Internet connection, and a headset with a microphone (provided FREE as a gift for your child). The pen tablet is the only item to purchase by the family, but Mr. Hoffman will provide this to get started, and the family would purchase it at the end of the first month. A buy-back program is also available at the end of our time together in effect making it cost $0. Both the creative pen tablet and the whiteboard classroom software work with Macs, PCs, or Chromebooks. Sorry, non-touchscreen Chromebooks, all iPads, and tablets cannot be used.
Can my child stop anytime if it's not a good fit for them?
Why wouldn't it work for them? 🙂 Yes of course. I know this is very new for students and parents, and they may have questions or be slightly unsure at first. 100% of all students who have tried HOMT, have continued for their entire or remainder of their present school year. I urge the student and family to give this new experience some weeks to develop, the child's math connections to be made, and confidence and motivation to build.
What does it cost per session, and for "Need-It-Now" help?
Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring is a one-of-a-kind personal helping service, yet is priced at a superior value for 1-on-1 highly effective and innovative educational math help. Price per session as well as price for any number of "Need-It-Now" minutes that the child might need, will be discussed directly with the parents on the phone. Two 100% secure and easy online payment options are available and are at the end of each month.
Can I contact the parents of your tutored students to hear about their online experience?
Absolutely. My parents love to share with others about their child's experience with Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring. References will be happily furnished upon your request.
What if I have additional questions for you after reading all about Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring?
I would be surprised if you didn't. A phone conversation is best. Please click the CONTACT link (I can also be reached on the top of any page at Hoffkids.com) and drop me a message with the best day, time, and phone number to reach you so we can discuss your child's needs and answer your questions. You can also email me at Hoffkids@gmail.com.
I love what I have read. How do we get started with this exciting process to help my child with their math progress?
The first step is to CONTACT or email me at Hoffkids@gmail.com. I will then call you to have a "get-to-know-you and your child's needs" conversation. After that, a safe and secure online form is filled out by the parent, and then we'll set up your first "install appointment" at your house.
Experience has shown that your son or daughter will surely enjoy the unique online math tutoring experience that Hoffkids provides, while becoming stronger and more confident in the field of mathematics.
All information is kept 200% secure and confidential and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Barry Hoffman
Founder & Creator of Hoffkids Online Math Tutoring
Founder & Developer of Hoffkids.com
6th grade Math Educator, 19 years
Long Island, New York
