FAQ for parents
1. What is Teaching the Fundamental of Algebra to Young Students (TFAYS)?
If the difficulty in learning algebra is a disease, then TFAYS is the vaccine developed to eradicate it.
TFAYS makes Algebra engaging and rewarding. Young students can finally learn algebra successfully at the first attempt and have the chance to explore more learning opportunities that were previously thought impossible.
2. What's the difference between TFAYS and CountOnMe.Us?
TFAYS is the method of Teaching the Fundamental of Algebra to Young Students.
CountOnMe.Us is the company that develops TFAYS
3. What is special about TFAYS?
Algebra has been characterized as a painstaking subject for centuries intended for students "born with math abilities", but TFAYS renders it into a comprehensible, accessible, practical and rewarding subject that even a 3rd grade student can succeed in learning it.
4. Why TFAYS?
In students' own words, algebra is a confusing and difficult subject, and they can't be blamed for the assessment. TFAYS is in the process of changing this misleading perception by empowering students with algebraic knowledge, tools, and guiding them to succeed in learning algebra.
5. Why Is Algebra important?
Algebra is one of the gateways to knowledge. It teaches the building blocks of Mathematics to young students. It helps them to connect with their surroundings, develops their reasoning skills and eventually leads them to unlock the secret of math and science.
6. What are the benefits of learning Algebra early?
Commanding algebra at an early age prevents young students from experiencing math anxiety. It also allows them to build confidence, experience success sooner and have access to multiple career paths. Above all, it brings happiness at school and home.
7. What differentiates TFAYS from other Algebra programs?
The status quo focuses on teaching students with rigid algebraic materials and confusing methods creating a rupture between students and Algebra. In short they teach students to solve problems. On the other hand, TFAYS mentors students to use algebraic tools and develops their problem solving skills using their own ingenuity.
8. Is my child ready to learn Algebra?
3rd grade students and up are using algebra every day without realizing it. TFAYS connects algebra concepts to subjects that they already know and gradually guides them to tap into their own algebraic knowledge. For instance, all 3rd grade students already master the concept of fairness that is simply the principle of equality in algebra.
9. Does my child need to know multiplication tables?
Not knowing multiplication tables doesn't diminish the child's ability to understand and learn the algebra principles. He or she can still solve equations. TFAYS encourages children to learn multiplication tables, and as they progress they'll solve more complex equations and advance faster.
10. What will young students learn?
After completing the continuous program, young students will be able to confidently apply the algebra principles, compute positive and negative numbers, decipher algebraic expressions, identify algebraic tools and utilize the process to solve equations such as -22X -35 = (-2X -3)9, [4(3X -2)] /3 = (2X +3)/5, -7/8X = 5 /9, and -3X /2 = 5 /7 independently without memorization and much more! They will then apply algebra to solve word problems, everyday Math problems, geometry...
11. How long will it take students to learn the Algebra fundamentals?
Children learn at their own pace, and our flexible method accommodates this aspect of learning. In general all students progress. In small class size, 3rd and 4th grade students have learned the principles of algebra within 2 years. They also need 1 year as the incubation period. Realistically they can command algebra I after 7th grade. In contrast to standard education, most students start Algebra I at 8th grade. It is already too late to learn Algebra I. Students struggle because they learning it at the wrong time and with an ineffective approach.
12. Will my child become a Math genius?
TFAYS's primary goal is to help young students and struggling students learn math. TFAYS doesn't transform a child into a math genius. Existing methods of teaching math are unable to provide children the opportunity to discover their mathematics abilities or strengths. TFAYS makes this discovery possible for all children.
13. Is there anything else that I should know about TFAYS?
An important note is that younger students still lack reasonable attention span and attention to details. Although having the ability to master the algebra principles, they will still make basic mistakes such as miscounting objects and incorrectly adding or subtracting numbers. These kind of mistakes are not comprehension problems but inattentive problems due to immaturity. The good news is that the lack of maturity does not prevent young students to learn. As they mature, they'll improve.
14. How does CountOnMe.Us or TFAYS work?
In the near future, young students log into their CountOnMe.Us account that manages their learning history and courses assignment. TFAYS accomodates both online and offline learning with its unique interactive worksheets such as a paper version and a digital version. Parents or students will download the worksheets weekly.
15. Do we need an instructor to teach TFAYS? Where do we enroll our kids and how much does it cost?
TFAYS online course (available soon) is excellent and students can explore them on their own, but no methods can substitute good instructors. Because it is all about teaching one of the most difficult subjects to young students, CountOnMe.Us highly recommends instructors to guide them through the foundation period.
Most public or charter schools offer Extended Learning Progam or funded tutoring via Title I. If your children struggle with math, chance is that they qualify for the tutorial or extended learning services offered by the school. Please contact the school and request for this program at no cost to you.
For parents wanting to advance their children Math education with TFAYS, please explre http://www.algebrareborn.com/
16. Can TFAYS improve young students test scores?
Standardized tests are designed to measure fragmented knowledge or collect data for other purposes, and in this perspective students may not do well. TFAYS prepares students to build a solid and measurable repertoire of algebraic knowledge and reasoning skills that will benefit a lifetime learning experience. Once they demonstrate the command of algebra, they'll make a significant leap in learning and self-discovery.
17. Do students need a placement test and how does the assessment work?
TFAYS requires no placement test. Students need confidence, not stress. TFAYS is best at building it. All students including 3rd graders learn and advance according to their Math knowledge and pre-existing skills. Learning new skills requires time, and thus assessing "learning in progress" is draining precious education resources that only contribute negative values to the learning process. TFAYS evaluates students' progress comprehensively via their activity logs/ portfolios and learning experiences. Teachers review them daily and intervene timely.
18. What makes CountOnMe.Us team unique?
We are not part of the establishment, and thus have different mind sets on problem solving strategies. As Albert Einstein reminds us "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them". We challenge the math crisis from the outside perspective by bringing real world experience and personal struggle in learning algebra to develop this comprehensive method/ curriculum. We believe that the time has come to offer a child friendly solution to help all children in their quest for knowledge. Lastly, TFAYS delivers results in due time.
19. Do you have a sample lesson?
Yes, please follow this sample lesson (coming soon) to see how TFAYS introduces the distributive property to young students. Many middle and high school students struggle learning and applying this concept. Using TFAYS's approach, it takes a 3rd grade student 5 minutes to understand, apply and remember it for life.
20. What happens after TFAYS?
TFAYS is the first step to provide young students the algebraic knowledge, tools and the development of skills to solve problems. The second step is to prepare students to prepare and perform well in ACT and SAT. In the near future CountOnMe.Us will release more advanced concepts to prepare students for learning advanced Mathematics.