Benefits of the Attendance System
* Maintain good time management
* Consistency leading to self-directed learning
* Enhanced & timely feedback from Instructors
What is Eye Level?
Eye Level focuses on building each student’s foundation in Math and English, as well as helping students gain Self Confidence, Interest in Learning, and develops a child’s Critical Thinking and Analytical skills.
Eye Level programmes are inter-related. Only through the mastery of basic foundational skills can the student then advance to more complex skills. This improves the child’s speed and accuracy when dealing with complex questions. It will also develop his Self-Directed Learning ability, independence as we as time management.
Reading Fluency vs. Grammar Accuracy. Which is more important?
The debate about which is more important, reading fluency or grammar accuracy, is a long standing one. Such is a chicken or the egg problem, which unfortunately, Critical Thinking Mathematics will not help.
Traditional educators would argue that a child develops its ability to form grammatically correct sentences by imparting technical knowledge such as the recognition and usage of verbs, nouns, punctuations and tenses. On the other side of the fence, the liberal educators would stand by their pedagogy that fluency would help with a child’s understanding of meaning and context.
However, it is truly the case that one method is more superior than another? According a research in cognitive psychology, the brain is divided into different areas. The area that focuses on grammatical processing is known as the Broca’s area, a small part of the left frontal lobe. Its general function includes language comprehension, action recognition and production, and speech-associated gestures, such as using sign languages.
Learning language fluency, however, triggers the whole frontal lobe, which has also been linked to executive functions, such as attentional control, working memory, reasoning and problem-solving.
So, which is truly more important? Perhaps there isn’t a strictly correct answer. Perhaps both arguments are correct. Non-native learners would benefit more with the study of grammar as it taps on a smaller part of the brain. This would progress towards a fuller understanding and comprehension of the language as they develop larger parts of the frontal lobe later. Native learners, on the other hand, benefit by first understanding context and meaning as these help them form meaningful relationships with others, which also develops the self-identity of the child. They would then work towards refining their understanding of the language through the study of grammar. Either way, both go hand-in-hand and are equally critical to the study of a language.
On a side note, scientists have researched and determined that the chicken did come first. Mindblown!
Critical Thinking – Important to Have or Just a Gimmick?
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinkers – these are people that our nation wants to nurture, companies want to hire, and parents want their children to become. With the term bounced around so often, it is no wonder that progressive enrichment organisations are starting to adopt “Critical Thinking” as part of their regular programmes.
Often confused with a “CREATIVE thinker”, a critical thinker leverages on experience, observation, reflection and/or communication to derive at a set of heuristics (i.e. a process or method). While the creative thinker aims to derive an original/fresh solution, the process or method of thinking the critical thinker uses is often situational and relevant to the question at hand, and would thus allow the decision maker to derive at a logical solution.
Importance of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is an important skill to have as the modern world progresses. According to a research by Hong Kong University (HKU), critical thinking is critical (pardon the pun) because:
- It is relevant for whichever profession we choose
- It allows us to understand information and technology in order to make quick and effective decisions in the global knowledge economy
- It ensures that creative solutions are relevant to the problem at hand
- It is important for self-evaluation and reflection so that we may live a meaningful and structure life
- It is the foundation of science and democracy
So, do we need it?
Short answer – YES! This is especially true in the context of Singapore where we are often thought of as being book smart and not street smart. As such, critical thinking will not only break the notion that the Singapore education system is all about rote learning, it will also allow us to tap on the knowledge that we have learnt and apply it rationally in a variety of settings. This makes us effective individuals and contributors of our society.
Eye Level Philosophy
“I was wondering how my students would enjoy the paintings from a student’s eye level.”
This is a story about a teacher who changed his perspective. A man was appreciating the art at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. As he approached each painting he would kneel down and look up at it. A curious visitor asked him why he was looking at the painting from his knees. He replied, “I am an elementary school teacher and I will bring my students here tomorrow. I was wondering how my students would enjoy the paintings from down here. I am trying to appreciate these paintings from a student’s eye level.”
Eye Level is based on an educational principle where students learn at their own pace. When the instructor understands the learning needs of a student, the teaching are most effective.
Mathematics – A Love – Hate Relationship
How do I prepare my child for Primary-School Maths, especially difficult word problems?
Mathematics is a “love it or hate it” kind of subject. What you need to do is to create a “Maths is Fun” mindset. Try these with your child:
a. Break the complex word problem into smaller components.
b. Use models, coins, objects to help him visualise and understand all the components of the question.
c. Familiarise yourself with the primary school syllabus so that you will know how to help him learn.
Patience, patience, and patience. He may not understand the Maths questions and concept right away, but he needs a lot of encouragement, love and support from you.
Try this out!
“Maths – The Only Subject That Counts!”
Because Eye Level Works
Eye Level is based on an educational principle where students learn at their own pace. When an instructor understands the learning needs of a student, the teaching are most effective.
As a leading provider in supplemental education for Math, English, Eye Level learning centers strive to teach and tutor children ages 4-14 in basic learning skills.
Eye Level is a supplemental education program that originated in Korea about 30 years ago and now has over 2.5 million children enrolled world-wide. We are the leading provider of supplemental education in the areas of Math and English.
Eye Level Study Programs
Diagnostic Assessment
The diagnostic test will provide insight into the student’s ability and learning needs. It is utilized to determine the best place to start the student in the Eye Level curriculum.
Initial Starting Point
This allows students to build confidence to help ensure future success in proceeding levels.
Self Directing Learning
Students will follow a self-directed learning method and develop independent learning skills in our Eye Level learning centers. Instructors will provide guidance to students as they move throughout their individualized program.
Assessment
Before a student proceeds to the next level and new skill set, an Eye Level instructor will give the student a level test to evaluate if they have achieved mastery of the current material.
Feedback
Directors/Instructors provide consultations and communicate with parents regarding their children’s learning progress on a regular basis.
Small Steps to Success
All concepts and skills in the Eye Level program are interrelated. Mastery of basic foundational skills is necessary before advancing to more complex skills, resulting in improvement of a child’s accuracy and speed when completing more complex questions.
The Lasting Benefits for your Child
Commitment to your child
No matter what your reason for attending Eye Level, we are committed to providing your child with the most positive experience possible. This pervades everything we do, down to the program we select for your child, and their interaction with our thoroughly trained staff.
Eye Level has the best curriculum around
There is simply no competition when it comes to the quality of instruction and curriculum that you will find at Eye Level. We are the only center worldwide that offers a critical thinking component as part of our math program. Furthermore, our curriculum has been developed in a way that allows children to make progress and proceed through levels.
Individualized Instruction
While our curriculum is developed structurally, each child is assessed individually. Our instructors tailor our curriculum by understanding each child’s abilities from their eye level.
Eye Level is the Key to Self-Directed Learning
We nurture:
- Problem Solvers
- Critical Thinkers
- Lifelong Learners
Individualized Program
Eye Level is a systematic, individualized program that caters to students of all abilities utilizing a unique and proven learning method. This allows each child to have a customized starting point depending on their ability, regardless of his/her age and/or school grade. Each child’s study progression will depend on the student’s pace of learning.
Develop Critical Thinking Ability
Eye Level focuses on building each student’s foundation in math and English, as well as helping students develop critical thinking and analytical skills, self-confidence, and an interest in learning.
Small Steps to Success
All concepts and skills in the Eye Level program are interrelated. Mastery of basic foundational skills is necessary before advancing to more complex skills, resulting in improvement of a child’s accuracy and speed when completing more complex questions.
Homework “Worriers”
Junior hates kindergarten Maths and doesn’t want to do his homework. How do I get him to enjoy the subject?
Know your child Shouting “go to your room and don’t come out until your homework is finished!” will make it sound like a punishment rather than a normal part of his school experience. If your child prefers to work alone, set up desk space in his room with items that will help him concentrate. Check on him occasionally to see if he needs a hand or a quick break.
If he needs assistance, set up a space where you can be available while completing your own chores. Not every kid does his homework in the same way; allow him to work in the environment that best suits his learning style.
Make it fun The teaching tools at Eye Level Learning Centre – such as coloured blocks, wooden blocks and numerical figures – give Maths a visual spin. Try using similar objects at home with your child.
Eye Level Keyhole
