What is ‘Eye Level’?
Eye Level is an international supplementary education program for children. It aids development in Math (including basic and critical thinking components) and English (including reading, writing, listening and comprehension components).
What does ‘Eye Level’ mean?
‘Eye Level’ captures the spirit of the company’s approach and philosophy: Learning is most effective when the teaching is delivered with the individual student perspective in mind – i.e. from the student’s eye level. This methodology enables your child to grow in ‘height’ or ability/capability. ‘Eye Level’ is an English equivalent name literally translated from ‘Eye Level’, wherein the ‘E’ symbolizes ‘eye’, while ‘nopi’ is a Korean word indicating ‘height’ or ‘eye-level’.
What do you mean by ‘eye-level education’?
Eye Level is a systematic teaching method which was designed with the student in mind. The approach divides the phases of preschool through secondary school study into detailed steps (1 through 32 levels in the Math program and 8 levels in the English program). This systematic design takes into account the child’s experience and provides a wide scope of topics and skill levels, thereby allowing for an individualized starting point based on the student’s ability, rather than his/her age and school grade. Once the starting point is determined, the study plan and anticipated progression will depend on a student’s individual learning needs.
What is Daekyo?
Daekyo is the Korean-based parent company of Eye Level. Daekyo was awarded the Best Organization Award at the 2003, 2004, & 2005 Korea Management Awards and a grand prize at the 1st Korea Educational Industry Awards. The Korea Management Association (K-BPI) has named Eye Level, now Eye Level, the No. 1 in Brand Power for 13 consecutive years.
Where is ‘Eye Level’ from?
Eye Level, previously known as ‘Eye Level’ originated in South Korea. Eye Level is based on the ‘Noonnopi’ program, developed by the Research and Development Team of Daekyo Korea, one of the most prominent education service providers of South Korea. With such programs that have been acknowledged to be reliable and effective in the market as the foundation, Eye Level has been reviewed and aligned with the US curriculum to meet the academic standards of the U.S. Department of Education.
Eye Level Math was developed by the research team at Daekyo, Korea’s leading education service provider and one of the leading education service providers in the world. It was revised by a team of professors at Ohio State University, and has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Eye Level English was developed from 1999 to 2002 by a pair of PhD professors – one from UCLA, the other from Columbia – and it is based on the U.S. Department of Education curriculum standards for English Language Arts. The English program has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Since the program is from Korea, is it suitable to international education?
Worldwide Mathematical education curricula have slight differences; however, they all deal with the concepts of numbers, measurement, geometry, algebra, statistics, problem-solving, and reasoning. Eye Level Math covers all these fields. So basically, Eye Level Math is developed to suit math education in any country across the world. In particular, the Math program is aligned with the curriculum standards defined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
The English curriculum was developed right here in the US and more over it is based on the U.S. Department of Education curriculum standards for English Language Arts.
What do you mean by a supplementary educational program?
Eye Level does not serve as a replacement for school work. Eye Level is a educational program which helps to establish students’ foundation in Math and English, and thereby not only supplement but help build up what they learn in school.
What is the age range for Eye Level students?
The Math program caters to students from ages 3 to 18 (roughly preschool through 11th grade). The English program targets preschool students through 8th graders.
What will my child learn at Eye Level?
Eye Level is a thinking-focused and application-focused program, aiming for the perfection of student’s ability to process and use information. We provide a good understanding and foundation of skills in Math and English that the children can apply to other aspects of their school studies
How does Eye Level measure a child’s mastery?
Eye Level assesses a child’s mastery through evaluation of accuracy and speed. Accuracy is an indicator of a child’s overall understanding of a concept and development of a skill, while speed indicates a child’s comfort and confidence with concepts, as well as their ability to recall and apply previously mastered concepts. Sometimes, a child needs to see a concept multiple times in order to attain a level of mastery that ensures success in later concepts that build upon current ones.
What is so important about achieving mastery?
Mastery is important to ensure students having a smooth learning progression in future learning. Besides that, having mastery of a concept helps students connect and apply concepts in future lessons. Without an emphasis on mastery, learning gaps can develop which can lead to struggle in later levels.
I am very interested in the program, but can I just buy the booklets from Eye Level and teach my child by myself?
Our policy is that students are required to visit the center on a weekly basis. Although Eye Level is in large part a self-study program, a trained and experienced Eye Level Instructor is also needed as a guide throughout the system. After the Director determines the most appropriate starting point for the child, he/she will then plan the student’s study progress and will assign the optimal amount of booklets to be completed each week to achieve the identified goals. During the course of the program, the Instructor as well as the Director will monitor how the student is making progress towards mastery of the concept areas and continually adjust workload and assignments for the student, as necessary.
Certain concepts will be reviewed through repetition in certain levels or sets for reinforcement and practice purposes. All of these services are only provided at our quality Centers and therefore, students must visit the Center to receive such services. Moreover, as an education “service” provider rather than a book-selling merchandiser, booklets are only part of the service we provide to our students. The guidance and advancement planning from the Instructor and Director make the booklets most effective.
PRE-ENROLLMENT: STARTING POINT
How do you determine the starting level for each child?
The starting point is determined based on the student’s performance in the Diagnostic Test, along with the instructor’s observation of the student during the test. The questions that appear on the test are questions pulled from the Eye Level curriculum booklets. The instructor will observe the student carefully during the test and will guide and assess him/her. The observation is necessary so that the instructor can determine not just whether the student is able to answer the questions, but also how he/she approaches the questions and the level of comfort and confidence he/she has with the material.
For example, if a student uses fingers to count, makes many careless mistakes, reads aloud, or takes a very long time to complete a particular question or questions targeting a specific skill, these may be indications that the student has not achieved mastery of the skill. With such close observation during the Diagnostic Test, the instructor is better able to determine a suitable starting point and progress plan for the student.
Why is the starting point so low? My child has learned all these skills in school already.
Eye Level is a systematic education program designed to help students develop mastery in Math and English. Often times a student’s starting point will be at a point in the curriculum that is less advanced than topics currently being seen in school. This is because of the emphasis on mastery – we do not want the students simply to be exposed to different topics; we want them to master each topic so that subsequent, more advanced topics are more easily grasped.
By considering each student’s needs individually, we identify the point in the curriculum that will allow the child to experience immediate success so that he/she can advance to newer concepts quickly and with the necessary skills and confidence to master the very topics that are currently presenting a challenge. (If a child was placed into the curriculum simply according to what was being studied in school, he/she may very well experience difficulty and de-motivation, thereby losing confidence.)
Why is the right starting point important?
Given how interrelated concepts are in both Math and English, it is important to start with a solid foundation, so that mastery of skills can continue as difficulty increases. Keeping the long-term needs of the child in mind at the time of selecting the starting point will help ensure that the proper groundwork is laid down to allow the child to progress with an appropriate level of challenge and confidence, rather than with unnecessary difficulty and avoidable frustration.
The benefits of selecting the right starting point are many:
(1) The right starting point allows students to work at their own, comfortable pace.
(2) The right starting point minimizes the need for repetition of more advanced topics.
(3) The right starting point provides greater (and immediate) opportunity for students to achieve their study goals.
(4) The right starting point increases motivation which results in students progressing more quickly.
Students will be able to work at their own pace.
Eye Level determines a starting point that enables a student to experience immediate success, prior to moving on to concepts that present the student with an increasing level of difficulty. As the child progresses at his individually comfortable pace with the appropriate degree of challenge, he develops a positive attitude toward the subject and becomes a proactive learner, engaged in his own learning and setting the pace for higher level study.
Repetition can be minimized.
By spending enough time solidifying the basics, students are more prepared for upcoming advanced topics. With ample preparation, students will excel faster with minimal repetition through those topics.
The right starting point makes it easier for students to achieve their study goals.
A comfortable starting point enables a student to experience achievement right from the start as he quickly reaches short-term study goals and builds a solid foundation in the basics. With this foundation, he will be able to progress to and master more advanced topics (including areas of current difficulty) and even beyond school grade material.
Students progress most quickly when they are highly motivated.
The best way to ensure that a student will be highly motivated is to start his Eye Level experience in a place where he can experience immediate success. A student will begin his Eye Level study at a point in the curriculum where he can answer questions intuitively, comfortably, and with mastery. This approach creates an opportunity for the Instructor to praise and motivate the student from the very first day, and it sets the scene for the Instructor to provide encouragement, positive feedback, and guidance throughout the ongoing process of setting and attaining goals.
PRE-ENROLLMENT: STUDY PROGRESS
How is Eye Level taught?
Both Math and English are taught as guided learning study programs. Students are given a customized and individualized program to follow. Eye Level booklets are fairly self-explanatory and students are encouraged to complete as much of their work as possible through self-study and question exploration. Through self-study and question exploration, the student will further develop his/her power of critical thinking. The Eye Level Instructor will be at hand to assist and guide the student as necessary. Younger students and those who need extra attention will be given more help. Older and more experienced students will be encouraged to self-study and explore the questions as much as possible by themselves. Eye Level takes an open approach to its classes. There is no specific class grouping of students according to age or level as Eye Level’s guided-learning is an individualized study system.
What do you mean by booklet repetition?
In order to ensure mastery and smooth progress, sometimes it is necessary to repeat certain booklets in the level before advancing the student to the next level. The need for review will depend upon the student’s mastery of the concepts covered in the level. If the student has not yet achieved mastery (as indicated by speed and accuracy, along with other observation), the student will be given some of the same booklets to complete again for reinforcement and further practice. This is to ensure a thorough understanding of the concepts.
Can you let my child do something more related to his school work?
Eye Level study is related to your child’s school work, and our curriculum complements the school’s curriculum. That being said, Eye Level is a tailored, individualized program, and we set the starting point according to individual ability rather than age or school grade. With the instructor’s coaching, a student will progress through the curriculum, mastering each topic along the way at a pace which is most suited to his/her development. The curriculum is designed to complement school work, not replace it. With the individualized attention, Eye Level work will influence school performance.
For example:
Consider a student having difficulty adding fractions at school. Because adding fractions involves the use of all four basic Mathematical operations, if the student has not mastered the concept of addition, it will be very hard for the child to complete even a basic fractional addition exercise accurately. So, reviewing addition at a pace suitable to the child’s individual needs will benefit the child’s performance on school material, even at a higher level.
Consider a child having difficulty writing essays for school. If the child does not have a strong vocabulary or is not skilled with combining sentences or ideas, he/she may not be able to write an essay to the caliber expected. Studying sentence structure, organizing ideas, and combining sentences will aid the student’s ability to complete the more difficult school work.
Note: Should there be parents who insist that they are looking for quick results, Directors may have to advise them that Eye Level alone may not be the best fit for their needs at this time. It may be appropriate to suggest a private tutor for immediate needs, while encouraging enrollment in Eye Level to prevent the need for the private tutor in the future. Eye Level is designed to help students build a strong foundation; however, the effects of such groundwork may not be as apparent in the beginning. Still, such skills built with a strong sense of competency will eventually surface and serve as a catalyst, or even as the prime factor for excelling in school.
How will my child’s progress of study be recorded?
Instructors and Administrators will record the results (number and type of mistakes, comments) of every completed booklet each week on the Eye Level Progress Chart. The Progress Charts are available for parents’ perusal during the consultations, or as requested.
How will the Eye Level Instructor determine if my child is ready to move to the next level?
The instructor will be constantly assessing a student’s readiness for the next topic (at all points within each level). As added confirmation of a student’s readiness for a new level, the instructor will give the child an Interim Test to validate that the student has achieved mastery.
PRE-ENROLLMENT: CLASS STRUCTURE
What is the rationale for once a week classes?
As a self-directed learning program, Eye Level is developed in a way that students can progress on their own, with careful and timely guidance from Instructors. When a student is placed at the right level and is completing Eye Level study on a daily basis, meeting with the Instructor once a week provides sufficient opportunity to check in with the student, provide motivation and confirm mastery of sequential topics (and, hence, readiness for upcoming topics).
What is the class duration?
The typical class length is 50 minutes. (Some centers may offer alternative arrangements.)
How much work will the child complete at the Eye Level Learning Center?
On average, in one class, the child will complete ½-1 booklet in Math and ¼-½ of a booklet (one-two lessons) in English. However, as the pace of each student is different, there is room for flexibility in the number of booklets that will be completed during the class session. Based on individual abilities, the amount of class work assigned may be reduced or increased accordingly. For example, should a student seem to struggle in a particular area, the instructor may cut down on the number of booklets temporarily. The same may apply to those who are working on higher levels as more complicated concepts and questions are introduced.
Will there be any homework for my child to do?
Typically, a child will be given a maximum of 4 booklets for Math and 2 booklets for Reading & Writing as homework. The number of booklets may be reduced according to individual student need. As a parent, we advise that you encourage your child to balance out the workload throughout the week, rather than procrastinating and completing the entire week’s workload in a single day. Students should allocate about 15-20 minutes each day at home for Eye Level.
If the child finishes all assigned class work, can he/she proceed to do his/her homework in class under the guidance of the Eye Level Math Instructor rather than do it at home?
A child’s attention and learning concentration span is limited; therefore, it would be unwise to push the child to do too much work in one day. Continuous study and practice throughout the week will lead to maximum benefit – students will develop consistent study habits, discipline, confidence, and self-learning skills, which can be applied to his/her other studies and help them excel further in school.
PRE-ENROLLMENT: MISCELLANEOUS
What are the qualifications of the Eye Level Math instructors and how are they trained?
All Eye Level i Instructors have received at least some education in college and are required to complete Eye Level-specific training (provided by the franchisee or franchisor) as well as to attend ongoing online training conducted by the National Training Center. Because Eye Level encourages the development of independent learning, as experts in the Eye Level method and curriculum, instructors are able to guide the students to perform a self-initiated, directed learning through small, manageable steps. For this reason, not all Instructors are, nor do they need to be, certified teachers. They are, however, formally trained in the Eye Level method and they study our curriculum carefully in order to guide your child most efficiently through it.
Are Eye Level classes open on public holidays?
Most Eye Level Centers will be closed on national holidays, but an exact schedule is provided by each center’s director. Please check with the Center Director directly or consult the parent information board and/or the center’s website for details about your child’s center. The center policies will provide additional details regarding holiday classes and potential make-up classes.
Can I send my child to a different center later if I move to a different area?
Yes. All records and planning of your child’s progress will be transferred to the new center. We wish your child all the success with the Eye Level programs, wherever he/she will be learning.
My child is 3 years old, can he enroll?
Yes! Eye Level students can start from as young as 3 years old, as long as the student can (1) hold a pencil and scribble and (2) sit still and listen to instruction. The beginning of the curriculum focuses on helping students learn to identify and write numbers and letters, so it can be a perfect match for such a young student. Still, each student will need to complete a Diagnostic Test in order for the instructor to evaluate the readiness of the student to be guided through independent learning at the Eye Level Learning Center. We will observe his/her motor skills, number sense, and also his/her language ability. Besides that, his/her ability to receive and follow instruction will also be assessed.
My child is 9 years old, is it too late for him to enroll?
Surely not. Eye Level Math is a development program wherein students will be given a Diagnostics Test to determine the starting point based on his/her ability. Besides that, Eye Level Math curriculum covers a basic Mathematics curriculum ranging from Pre-K to Algebra II.
Eye Level Math is Thinking Math, aiming for the perfection of student’s Mathematical thinking. With a good understanding and foundation of mathematical skills learned from Eye Level Math, and also the self- discipline and good study habits practiced, students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to their higher levels of education. Learning is a continuous process.
Furthermore, Eye Level Math teaches Critical Thinking Math, the syllabus and content of which cannot really be compared with that of any school subject. The creative and problem solving skills taught here would be useful for children (and even adults!) of any age.
What can I expect from Eye Level in the future?
Eye Level will continuously seek to improve itself for the betterment of your child’s education. Improvements to our booklets and methods of teaching will be added by the Research and Development Team of Daekyo. Your feedback and suggestions as parents and students of Eye Level are highly appreciated. Please share suggestions through your center’s Director or visit the Eye Level website for additional contact information to communicate directly with our corporate staff members.
How much involvement will I need to have as a parent?
Please keep in mind that the Eye Level program is most effective when the three key players (student, parent, and instructor) carry out their responsibilities. Students study, complete, and correct their mistakes every day without procrastination to build up study habits.
Parents encourage students to make steady progress by helping them build good study habits and creating a favorable learning environment at home. They also monitor student learning by marking their work on a daily basis.
Instructors provide individualized academic coaching to guide student learning. They monitor student progress on a weekly basis and determine the best lesson plan (including the number of repetitions required) for maximum student achievement. Instructors also increase students’ motivation through proper reinforcement of behavior and skills that are in line with the child’s learning goals. .
How soon can I see the results in my child?
This depends on individual children. However, Eye Level is a long term program aiming to build up a student’s foundation, not simply provide a quick fix to the currently observable difficulty. We encourage that students stay enrolled for at least 6 months to see the most lasting results.
Parents looking for a short-term ‘holiday program’, or an instant ‘fix’ to improve their child’s skills may not see the immediate results they seek. Although confidence and motivation may be influenced from the first day of Eye Level study, and a child’s basic arithmetic and reading skills may be improved in a few months, Eye Level aims for students to understand, think, expand, and deepen their knowledge. This takes time, as the problem solving skills and background knowledge that support this increased knowledge take a while to develop in the child. Because the Eye Level learning experience is collective, the longer parents and students are willing to commit to the Eye Level program, the more benefits will be reaped.
What changes can I expect to see in my child through studying Eye Level?
- Eye Level can help your child:
- Increase self-confidence
- Strengthen concentration
- Improve study habits
- Develop critical & analytical thinking skills
- Provide a self-feedback learning system
- Build solid Math and Reading & Writing skills
How is Eye Level program different from school teaching?
Eye Level is an individualized and customized program that allows students to study independently. The Eye Level curriculum is based on advancing a student’s skills through a series of small steps, and the booklets contain detailed descriptions and examples for the student to follow with minimal guidance. The role of an Eye Level instructor is to monitor a student’s progress so that he/she can determine the student’s readiness for upcoming topics in the curriculum and make adjustments to the lesson plan when necessary. The instructor will guide the student to learn the appropriate method, rather than teach the lesson in detail. This enables the student to take ownership of his/her learning, thereby making the impact of the student’s study more lasting.
Additional benefits of the Eye Level curriculum that may not be prominent in traditional schools:
Increased concentration – Students receive personal attention from an Instructor in a one-on- one environment with a small group of other students sharing the classroom. As a result, students are able to increase their concentration and progress more quickly through the concepts.
Mastery of Concepts through Individual Coaching – When a student enrolls in Eye Level, instructors identify the student’s individual level through implementation of and observation during the Diagnostic Test. As students study Eye Level in a one-by-one environment, instructors are able to determine individual weaknesses and provide proven study solutions and tailored review assignments when necessary to strengthen weaker skills. The result is steady, effective progress with mastery at each step along the way.
Parental Involvement – Parents can be actively involved in a child’s Eye Level experience by creating a supportive environment for daily study at home, through grading the child’s booklets, and through weekly interaction (and other formal conferences) with the Director.
Cultivation of Study Habits – Through individualized coaching within a systemized program designed to encourage independent study and achievement, students strengthen their skills and establish a routine of study and daily accomplishment.
ENROLLMENT: ONGOING STUDY
My child has been studying here for few months already, why I can 't see improvement?
There are several factors by which we can measure improvement. The results in the early stages of Eye Level study are typically less concrete. Nonetheless, we can set a time to review and discuss your child’s current school and life experience in relation to how they were when you first brought him in for testing. We will likely notice some significant improvement in areas of confidence and basic skills.
A noticeable and significant impact on school grades may take longer to develop. Improving a child’s foundational skills can quickly and positively impact the process of schoolwork completion and may even result in early improvement in test and assignment scores at school. Additionally, greater impact will be seen once the gap between the foundation and the current skills is also filled – which typically takes more than a few months. (Depending on how severe the challenge is and how far back we needed to assign review, this can take six months to an year.)
My child is able to do his work without accumulating his booklets; can he do more than the assigned work?
An increase in workload is possible. However, the ‘Standard Workload’ should be carefully considered so as not to affect a child’s progress negatively. The Standard Workload is a guideline that helps instructors determine the most suitable amount of work to enhance students’ learning effectiveness. The Standard Workload enables students to work with the appropriate amount of pressure so that they remain motivated and interested in the subject. However, if instructors start to assign more work, students may feel burdened within 2-3 months, and lose motivation or interest in the subject, and end up falling behind in their studies.
Therefore, it is important for instructors to assign a comfortable amount of work to help students sustain their interest. Besides that, we are emphasizing consistent learning. Because Eye Level is an individualized program, an increase in workload for a designated amount of time may be appropriate for some children. The instructor and director can consider your child’s situation and make the decision that will best support the achievement of his learning goals.
My child has a lot of homework from school. Can I request for no homework from Eye Level or just let him complete everything in the center?
Doing homework is part of the learning system, as it promotes and develops consistent learning and good study habits, with a little bit of practice each day to maximize benefits. Practicing new concepts learned or introduced in the center will help your child master the concepts, enabling him to progress from topic to topic more quickly so that even school homework becomes easier and takes less time. I would be happy to talk with your child about his daily schedule so that we can find the best way to accommodate both school and Eye Level work.
Do you think my child has a learning disability?
Eye Level is not designed and the staff members of the learning center are not certified to make that determination, so we are not in the position to make any judgment. We consider your child’s displayed needs and work with him in the way that is most individually beneficial to his progress, regardless of any formal professional diagnosis. If you have those types of questions or concerns about your child, I suggest that you bring him/her to a professional for assessment and diagnosis. We can take that information into consideration (if necessary) to improve our understanding of your child’s needs.
Can my child get extra practice with what the school is teaching right now?
Doing multiple levels is not in line with the Eye Level learning method. Students may not be able to absorb and achieve mastery as we expected if too many contents/concepts are being taught at the same time, especially without adequate mastery of earlier related concepts. Again, Eye Level is a development program which aims to build up students’ foundation. Therefore, falling back to the Eye Level method, students must achieve mastery of the current topic before progressing to the next one.
Why is there repetition in my child’s learning?
Learning requires a long-term commitment and continuous practice until one reaches a certain level of accomplishment. Often times, mastery can be achieved through repetition. Continuous practice will also help students develop intellectual and physical competency. Repetition is a one of the key parts of learning. Repetition helps to retain students’ knowledge. Even though students work on the same workbooks for repetition, they are required to go through the same procedure again until they achieve mastery (Show parent the child’s study record and explain to parents what the child needs to improve. Besides that, share with parents how the work being doing now will relate to the next/higher levels. Also, ask for parent’s cooperation at home to enhance the learning)
Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve
* The forgetting curve illustrates the decline of memory retention in time. A typical graph of the forgetting curve shows that humans tend to halve their memory of newly learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless they consciously review the learned material.
- Studied by Hermann Ebbinghaus (German psychologist)
I think the work my child is doing is too easy for him, can you promote him to the next level?
Before answering this question, the instructor should first examine the ability of the child based on his study performance and study record. In the case of a student doing well like the parent mentioned, the Director/Instructor may arrange for a Diagnostic Test to reevaluate the student’s level.
In the case of the student that is progressing well, however he still needs to go through the learning plan: Explain that the student still needs to do more practice on the current skill in order to get familiar with the skill. He is improving and mastering that skill, advise parents to be patient with him to first complete this level. Highlight that what he is working through now will lay a strong foundation for him. This will create a smooth progression for his future learning (Review the progress planned and how much longer before they will be promoted to the next level).
In the case of the student not doing well as like the parent mentioned: Explain the area (specific what, e.g. number bonding, recitation of number, times table etc.) that the student needs to practice and master. As a conclusion, he still needs to do more practice on the current skill in order to get more familiar with the skill. Advise parents to be patient while the student masters the current skill. The work that he is working through now will lay a strong foundation for him. This will create a smooth progression for his future learning (Show parents the child’s study record and explain to the parents what the child needs to improve. Besides that, share with the parents how the work he is doing now will relate to the next/higher levels.
Also, ask for parent’s cooperation at home to enhance the learning).
ENROLLMENT: STUDY BREAK
Can my child take a month off from Eye Level for vacation?
The monthly fee will have to be paid even if your child comes for just one week of the month. Should you decide to take a whole month off, there will be no fees applied for that month. Sessions can resume as usual the following month. Continuous practice and learning in Eye Level is important and unnecessary breaks are not encouraged.
The director should remind the parents of the value of consistent study. A main objective and benefit of consistent study in Eye Level is the development of good study habits. Unlike elementary school students who have a dependency on parents or teachers, middle and high school students are required to do a lot of self-study and must manage their time well to complete all assignments and participate in all desired extra-curricular activities. If students work on a consistent basis, they can build good study habits which will play a critical role in their academic success. Since working on a consistent basis is important, it is better to reduce the amount of work than taking a whole month off, particularly in months when students are on vacation from school when more time can be allocated to Eye Level study.
My child is having a hard time adjusting to a new semester. I would like my child to take a temporary break.
One month is enough for a child to adjust to a new environment. Most students have a hard time adapting to school life, especially students going on to the
1st and 7th grade, but usually after a month most students adjust to the new environment.
A new school year makes students anxious due to the unfamiliar environment but at the same time motivates them to eagerly participate in their new school life.
For just a short period of time, instructors can reduce the amount of work so that students can adapt to their new school life. Once students have fully adapted to the new environment, instructors can increase the amount of work to the ‘Standard Workload.’ Once they stop (even for only a month), they might lose momentum; therefore when they resume study, it takes time to regain their study habits. The important thing is to keep the students working consistently with the program
My child will be absent for the first two weeks of the following month. Can I pay half month fee?
No. The monthly fee will have to be paid even if your child comes for just one week of the month.
MATH: PROGRAM BASICS
How do you teach Eye Level Math?
Eye Level Math takes a very explanatory approach to learning Mathematics. Questions and concepts are illustrated and explained in many ways and with many examples to provide a solid explanation to the student before moving on to the actual mathematics practice. The student will apply this understanding when answering the questions. This helps develop a student’s power to think, analyze, and apply what was learned in the explanation.
What is Basic Thinking Math?
Basic Thinking Math (BTM) is a part of Eye Level’s Math curriculum that focuses on building calculation skills and the immediate application of those computation skills. Through the Basic Thinking Math booklets and instructor coaching, students will learn and enhance basic Math skills similar to the arithmetic typically covered in school.
In the preschool and primary levels (Levels 1 to 23), Eye Level Math’s BTM covers the four topics of Numbers, Arithmetic, Measurement (learning units of measure – time, length, weight, volume, etc.), and Equations. These levels cover topics parallel to those taught in the United States schools up through 8th grade.
In the higher levels (Levels 24 to 32), Eye Level BTM covers Number & Arithmetic, Variables & Equations, Relationships & Functions, Probability & Statistics, Geometry, and Measurement. This levels cover topics that roughly parallel those taught from 9th through 11th grades
What is Critical Thinking Math?
Critical Thinking Math (CTM) is all about enhancing the student’s ability to solve problems creatively, critically and effectively.
There are five aspects of Eye Level Math’s Critical Thinking Math program: Patterns & Relationships, Geometry, Problem Solving, Measurement, and Reasoning. Some of the questions may seem like IQ questions, but these all relate back to aspects of Basic Thinking Math.
Questions of Patterns & Relationships train students to recognize various objects, symbols, lines, shapes, and domino patterns, which is in direct correlation to number pattern sequences.
Number Sequence exercises introduce students to the concept of functions through exercises that show rows of number patterns with an arithmetical relation between the different rows.
Questions of Geometry will train the student to recognize spatial orientation in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space. Students will also be taught transformation of figures through rotation, translation, mirror images, symmetry, and so on.
Measurement will teach students to compare various units such as volume, weight, length and area. Reasoning develops the logic and analytical skills to solve problems.
Through Problem Solving exercises, students are taught various methods to solve puzzles and quizzes, and they learn how to identify which is the best method to use.
Through Eye Level Math Critical Thinking Math, students learn creative ways of applying their Mathematical knowledge to various aspects of everyday life, thus appreciating the value of the usage of Mathematics.
What is so important about this ‘Thinking’ in Mathematics?
Although there is only one correct answer to standard Math questions, there can be many ways to get that answer. Creativity and problem solving will be developed through exploring these different strategies. Students will also learn to identify the best and fastest strategy or the one that suits his/her own strengths of thinking or preference.
Will my child have difficulty studying Eye Level Math if his English is not very good?
Mathematics is largely about figures and symbols. Your child should have no problem understanding the questions for the basic mathematical questions. However, the more difficult problem solving questions will require more knowledge of English.
Does my child require any basic Mathematical skills before studying Eye Level Math?
There is no prerequisite of Mathematical knowledge needed to begin studying Eye Level Math. You can enroll your child at the Eye Level Leaning Center as soon as he/she is ready. Again, as there is absolutely no Mathematical or number knowledge required, readiness is measured rather in terms of some basic verbal communication and understanding, as well as some basic motor skills of holding a pencil and writing. The latter is perhaps the more limiting criterion as the child’s neurological development and motor skills do develop only after a certain age. In the very first Level 1, Eye Level Math teaches your child how to recognize and write the numbers from 1 to 10.
Why does Eye Level Math emphasize mental calculation?
With strong mental calculation skills, students are able to calculate faster than if they are reliant upon written steps to make calculations. By performing basic calculations more quickly, a student can allocate more time to reasoning and problem solving. Improving calculation skills also helps students develop better number sense and thus also develops their estimation skills which are useful at all levels of mathematics.
Why does Eye Level Math teach Mathematics in this layered hierarchical structure?
All Mathematics concepts and skills are interrelated. Mastery of basic skills is necessary to advance to more complex skills. For example, a good mastery of addition is first and foremost needed. Subtraction is basically the reverse of addition. Multiplication is a repeated addition process, and addition is also needed in multiplication to complete the carryover operations. For division exercises, multiplication, addition and subtraction skills are all needed. Therefore, mastery of one skill before moving on to others will result in faster and more accurate learning.
How does Eye Level Math teach addition?
Eye Level Math teaches simple addition of +1, +2 and +3 through a process known as ‘skip counting.’ Prior to being introduced to addition, students are first taught the basic number sequences of 1 to 10, 11 to 30, and then up to 120. Students must not only have a thorough and fixed understanding for reading and writing the increasing numeric progression, but must also be able to count mentally the increasing number sequence. Students are then taught to add by ‘skip counting’ numbers. For example, to add 3 to a number, students are taught to mentally ‘skip count’ 3 numbers ahead in the number sequence. e.g. 4 + 3 is viewed as 4 -> 5 -> 6 -> 7 which helps the child learn 4 + 3 = 7.
This is first introduced by visual aids of number sequences like that shown above and then is practiced as a mental counting process. This mental process eliminates the need for the use of fingers or other dependencies.
Another way Eye Level Math teaches addition is by ‘making numbers.’ Students will first learn how to ‘make’ the number 10 (e.g. 10 objects is equivalent to 3 objects and 7 objects, or 6 and 4, or 9 and 1) before learning the number complements of the other numbers (e.g. 7 is 4 and 3). This helps students conceptualize addition, first by recognizing combinations of number complements (e.g. when making 7, 4 is the complement to 3). Secondly, students break down the numbers to complement parts when adding totals of more than 10. For example, when learning 6 + 8, students can rely on their knowledge of 10-complements to view it as 6 + 4 + 4 (or 10 +4, generally a more familiar calculation).
How does Eye Level Math teach subtraction?
Subtraction is basically the reverse of addition. Through the reverse application of the methods used for addition, students are able to learn their subtraction tables quickly and accurately. The student will use a reverse ‘skip counting’ method for simple subtraction, and apply their number complements for larger subtractions.
How does Eye Level Math teach multiplication?
Eye Level Math first introduces multiplication to the student through the grouping of objects. Students are able to count the actual total number of objects in the groups. Learning Tools (hands-on manipulatives) are used to help the child conceptualize the idea of grouping and multiplication. Then the concept of multiplication as a repeated addition process is taught, e.g. 4 x 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16. This introduces the student to the multiplication tables, and through repeated practice, he/she will soon master the tables.
How does Eye Level Math teach division?
Division is also introduced by first grouping objects. Learning Tools (hands-on manipulatives) used to help the child conceptualize the idea of grouping and multiplication are used similarly to help the child understand the reverse operation of division.
Division as a repeated subtraction process is then explained. The concept of remainders is introduced as the remaining number of ungrouped objects or the remainder left which cannot be subtracted anymore by repeated subtraction
Finally, division tables are practiced as the reverse of multiplication tables. By applying their knowledge from the already mastered multiplication tables, students will be able to answer division questions accurately with ease.
For division with 2-digit divisors, Eye Level Math teaches students to first round the number up to the nearest ten. It will be easier to find a quotient estimate first with this rounded up number, before multiplying the actual 2-digit divisor with this estimate. This estimation method is easier than just blindly trying different quotients.
What are the differences between Eye Level Math and Kumon Math?
Both Eye Level Math and Kumon Math are supplementary Math development programs for children. However, there are a few notable differences between the two programs.
The two programs take a slightly different approach to learning. Kumon’s approach is focused on developing calculation skills, and it is often described as a drilling and practice-makes-perfect approach. Eye Level’s approach is based on the idea of creating a comprehensive understanding of mathematics and English. Eye Level aims to develop and perfect the child’s power of thinking and understanding through its emphasis on critical thinking. In particular, Eye Level teaches Critical Thinking Math, which is generally not a component of other Mathematics programs, including Kumon.
Kumon uses clearly defined criteria for speed and accuracy when determining a student’s satisfactory progress and level of mastery. Students who do not meet these criteria often will be asked to repeat the booklets again. Eye Level Math also has a set of criteria to follow to determine mastery and booklet repetition, and Eye Level students also will be re-assigned booklets for reinforcement of concepts not mastered.
However, the structure and design of the Eye Level booklets aids a child’s tolerance of such review. Eye Level Math workbooks for both the pre-school and primary school levels are colorful and contain a variety of exercises focused on related concepts and applications of those concepts (e.g. word problems), whereas Kumon only provides colorful worksheets for the beginning levels and contains relatively few word problems in the higher levels. This seemingly simple dissimilarity can mean the difference between a child being engaged in review and the same student being bored with a review.
Kumon Math covers a basic Math curriculum up to a higher level than Eye Level. In Kumon, students can study up to a pre-university and even university level of Mathematics. Eye Level Math’s Basic Thinking Math curriculum only covers up to about 11th grade. Eye Level aims to perfect your child’s Mathematical thinking, providing a good understanding and foundation of Mathematical knowledge.
Your child can then apply these acquired skills to their higher levels of study through the also developed self-discipline and good study habits. In that sense, Eye Level Math very much focuses on application, an aspect of the program which is most easily seen in the consistent inclusion of word problems throughout the Eye Level Math program.
MATH: ONGOING STUDY
How long does it take to complete one level of Eye Level Math?
The time needed to complete one level will also depend in part upon, the student’s age and Eye Level Math Level. If the student is studying an Eye Level Math level which is below his/her school grade, i.e. below what he/she has already been taught in school, the need for repetition may be less. However, if the student is studying above the school grade, i.e. learning new concepts and skills, the need for booklet repetition will increase to reinforce the new concepts and give more practice. This is to ensure a good and thorough understanding of the Eye Level Math skills. At higher Eye Level Math levels, the questions do become more difficult and time consuming and it may take the student slightly longer to complete a higher level than a lower one.
As a rough guideline and assuming no repetition, students attending classes twice a week can complete one level in about 1-2 months. For students attending class once a week, one Eye Level Math BTM Level can be completed in about 2 months and one Eye Level Math CTM Level in about 2-3 months.
How will my child’s study progression be assessed throughout the levels?
There will be a short Comprehensive Assessment test in the middle and last booklets of each BTM and CTM levels. This Comprehensive Assessment summarizes all the concepts that have been taught in the previous booklets of that level. The student understanding and mastery will be briefly assessed through this test.
Furthermore, the Eye Level Instructors will record the results of every completed booklet each week. More importantly, the Instructors will determine the exact nature of the mistakes and also how to improve the student’s understanding and mastery through proper instruction and booklet repetition as needed. Besides that, instructors’ observation in the class will be one of the assessing tools.
Why does Eye Level Math not allow my child to use his/her fingers to count objects and to calculate? How about the use of a calculator?
Eye Level discourages finger counting because we aim to develop a student’s mental calculation skills.
Dependence on finger counting typically indicates that a student does not have a strong sense of numbers and quantities. Furthermore, if your child is dependent on his/her fingers when calculating, it will slow him/her down and will increase the likelihood of larger errors if a mistake is made when finger counting. With practice and appropriate emphasis and review, the dependence on finger-counting can typically be eliminated.
How will Eye Level Math teach my child not to use his/her fingers?
This depends on whether this is a habit or a dependency. If this is purely a habit, the child can and will quickly be able to calculate without the need for fingers after a few tries. If using fingers is a dependency, Eye Level Math may then have to teach the child the understanding and concepts of the arithmetical process from the very basics, as previously explained.
Why does Eye Level Math not allow my child to write the carryover/borrowing numbers during calculation?
This aims to further sharpen your child’s mental arithmetic skills. Also, this removes yet another dependency from your child in his/her arithmetical calculation and prepares him for calculations and processes that involve multiple steps in more advanced levels of study. With mastery of the basic addition and subtraction facts, and practice with earlier mental calculation exercises, children can reduce or eliminate the need for showing carryovers and borrows.
But my child will be required to write these carryover/borrowing numbers in school.
If the school teacher penalizes your child for not writing these carryover/borrowing numbers in school and for exams, by all means, then please write them in school. If your child is able to mentally complete the operation without any dependency on these numbers being written down at Eye Level, there will be no problem doing the question if required to write them down. However, if your child is dependent on them, this is not good.
Can my child use a calculator for basic calculations so that he can get to the higher levels more quickly?
The calculator is a great invention. However, students should master the basic 4 operations skills before proceeding to the use of a calculator. Mastery of the basic skills promotes mental calculation. Exposing students to calculators at early stage makes them lazy and mentally sluggish. The blind usage of a calculator without proper knowledge of Mathematics can also lead to a wrong answer. For example, just keying 4 + 6 x 2 on may give the answer 20 on one calculator, while another calculator may give the answer 16. There is the Order of Operations rule to be observed and some calculators may have an in-built function for this while others may not. Furthermore, we will not always have a calculator at hand with us at all times.
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS
What is the Common Core?
The Common Core State Standards are a set of state-led educational standards that contain rigorous expectations for students from K through 12 to become college and career ready.
Who developed the Common Core?
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) in collaboration with parents, teachers, school administrators, and experts from across the country developed the content of the Common Core State Standards.
How were the Common Core Standards developed?
A diverse group of teachers, researchers, and experts examined the highest state standards in the U.S., gathered the best available evidence from research, and examined the standards of the top-performing international nations to develop the Common Core.
How do the Common Core State Standards compare with the previous guidelines?
The Common Core Standards raised the bar to match the highest state standards in the U.S. and were benchmarked to international standards to ensure that our students would be competitive on the global market upon graduation from high school. Having a single set of consistent and more demanding standards helps teachers, parents, and students know exactly what knowledge and skills are expected for the students to acquire, and provides the majority of students in the U.S. the same level of rigor and exposure to evidence-based content regardless of where they live.
Who is affected by the Common Core?
Currently, the majority of the states with exception to Texas, Virginia, Nebraska, and Alaska have adopted the Common Core since 2010. Minnesota adopted the English language arts standard, but has yet to adopt the mathematics standard. In 2013, Indiana was the first state to pass legislation to halt the implementation of the Common Core until further review.
What is the government’s involvement with the Common Core?
There is a misconception that the Common Core is a government-led initiative and the government is setting a national standard. The decision to adopt the Common Core or maintain existing standards still lies within each state. Furthermore, individual school districts, schools, and teachers choose which textbooks to use that best reflect the content of the Common Core. Therefore, the Common Core Standards are state-led and voluntarily adopted standards that reflect what skills and knowledge the students ought to learn, and the superintendents, principals, and teachers decide how the material ought to be taught. However, when the Common Core was first introduced, the government financially endorsed the Common Core proclaiming that the states who adopted the new standards would receive federal Race to the Top grants. This federal endorsement of the Common Core by the Obama administration is what some critics oppose.
EYE LEVEL AND THE COMMON CORE
Does Eye Level follow the Common Core curriculum?
The Eye Level program covers the majority of the topics included in the mathematics and English language arts Common Core Standards through its distinctive curriculum emphasizing both basic skills and complex applications in critical thinking and problem solving. Topics are introduced in a linear progression, allowing the students to revisit topics as needed. Our program delivers an individualized learning approach based on the students’ abilities, regardless of their age or grade. Therefore, students will encounter the topics at their own unique pace.
Given that the Common Core math standards were internationally benchmarked to standards from top-performing nations such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, the Eye Level program boasts excellence in math instruction with its origins based in Korea. The Common Core’s emphasis on proficiency in basic computational skills coupled with applications in problem solving, critical thinking, and reasoning is similar to the Eye Level math program.
How will Eye Level prepare my child to perform well in school or on the standardized tests given the new standards?
As a supplemental enrichment and remediation program, Eye Level’s primary focus is promoting mastery in the necessary mathematics and English language arts skills students need to succeed in school. Students enrolled in the Eye Level program long term display proficiency in basic math skills, critical thinking, reasoning, reading, and writing that will benefit the students in the era of the Common Core.
For more information on the Common Core State Standards, please go to the official Common Core website: http://www.corestandards.org
My child has a lot of homework from school. Can I request for no homework from Eye Level or just let him complete everything in the center?
Doing homework is part of the learning system, as it promotes and develops consistent learning and good study habits, with a little bit of practice each day to maximize benefits. Practicing new concepts learned or introduced in the center will help your child master the concepts, enabling him to progress from topic to topic more quickly so that even school homework becomes easier and takes less time. I would be happy to talk with your child about his daily schedule so that we can find the best way to accommodate both school and Eye Level work.
