Should I Go To Johns Hopkins University

Should I Go To Johns Hopkins University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Abir is a New York City tutor specializing in Chemistry tutoring, ISEE prep tutoring, SSAT prep tutoring, Writing tutoring, and more. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2011 with a Bachelors degree in Behavioral Biology. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Abir: Johns Hopkins is situated perfectly in the northern part of Baltimore right at the border between urban downtown Baltimore and suburban neighborhoods. As such, I felt very safe on campus because of the numerous attentive security personnel. There are multiple public transportation options, such as the Baltimore MTA and Circulator to travel to the Inner Harbor or the College Town Shuttle to visit the incredible indoor mall in Towson. However, the buses are not always punctual and I didnt truly appreciate Baltimore for the charming city it is until I had my own car. However, having a car is not a necessity; all of Johns Hopkins campuses, including the Medical Institute, School of Public Health, and Peabody are available via the free JHMI shuttle. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Abir: In my experience, the faculty at Johns Hopkins is easily approachable and available for study questions as well as informal career advising. If a student shows preparation and thought with regard to their academic and career work, the faculty will show a vested interest in your success. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Abir: Dorm life at Hopkins can be an amazing experience. There are numerous new housing options such as the recently erected Charles Common. The dining options during freshman and sophomore years are not numerous, but all the venues make a concerted effort to provide the most diverse options possible. Options include the Fresh Food Caf, a cafeteria style option primarily for freshmen and sophomores; Levering Hall, a great lunch spot that offers hand-made sandwiches, Mexican food, a salad bar, and a grill; and the Charles Street Market, which serves as a small grocery store with options for hand-made Boars Head sandwiches and its own Einstein Brothers Bagels. There are numerous opportunities for socialization, which typically begin and end with Greek-sponsored events. However, the city of Baltimore itself provides excellent opportunities for off-campus fun as well. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Abir: Johns Hopkins prides itself in its focus on the sciences, particularly health and engineering, as well as creative writing. Approximately 90% of the student body focuses on a health or biology-related major or an engineering major. I studied Behavioral Biology, a relatively new and small major. I focused on Behavioral Biology because I was able to tailor it to my personal interests in behavior and neuroscience well because of it was a nascent major. The university did a great job supporting my interests; this is not surprising, considering the number of premedical students at Johns Hopkins. If you are planning to be a doctor, an engineer, a researcher, or a writer, I would highly recommend Johns Hopkins to all. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Abir: It was not difficult at all to meet people and make friends. Freshman year is chock-full of events that foster meaningful socialization, and most people find a solid friend group by the end of the year. Having said that, many students are very academic and career-oriented and as a result, it can be difficult to find a diverse array of friends in terms of academic and career goals. Greek life plays a significant role in campus social life, but it can be easily avoided, if you choose. It is all a matter of preference and differs from student-to-student. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Abir: The Career Center at Hopkins is unparalleled. There are numerous job fairs and any motivated student will find exactly what they seek. The close proximity of Washington, D.C. provides numerous career opportunities ranging from research to corporate positions. Other student support services, such as pre-health advising, are exceedingly helpful, though often very intense. It will harden you as a student and potential applicant for any and all graduate programs, ultimately grooming you to be the best you can be. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Abir: In my experience, the library at Johns Hopkins is the best in the world. They have a serious commitment to consistently improve it year after year. With the addition of the new Brody Learning Commons and the recent renovation of Gilman Hall, there is no shortage of places to study, all found in a wide range of environments. This is absolutely one of the best advantages of attending Johns Hopkins. The student union is lacking, mostly because there is none that exists; however, the student body does an excellent job of providing events and various places to meet and socialize. All study and dorm areas are almost always easily available and spacious, though some of the hot spots can get overrun during exam season. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Abir: I cannot stress enough how much I love Baltimore. There are several amazing places to eat and visit from the Inner Harbor to the surrounding neighborhoods. Baltimore truly lives up to its name as the Charm City with its own unique charm and attraction you just have to know where to go. Additionally, Washington, D.C. is a short car trip or train ride away and you can travel virtually anywhere via the DC Metro. Most students live on or near campus, but whether or not a student goes to the downtown area or stays around campus varies on an individual basis. Most students, however, do visit the downtown area regularly. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Abir: The student body consists of approximately 5,000 undergraduates. This is a great number because you still get the small class sizes in certain classes, but there are great enough numbers of students to allow for a great amount of diversity within each class. I was generally pleased with the class size, though I would have preferred if some of the basic classes had less students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Abir: Nearly all of my most memorable experiences at Hopkins have been with the Johns Hopkins Tutorial Project, a volunteer organization which pairs Hopkins students as tutors with elementary and middle school students from the local community. Working every day to make a difference in another students life while utilizing my academic skills was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This is a great representation of the incredible array of volunteer opportunities available at Johns Hopkins. Check out Abirs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learn English As You Travel ESOL In The USA

Learn English As You Travel ESOL In The USA Learning English On A Trip to The United States of America ChaptersThe Different Types Of EnglishAbout The Largest English-Speaking Country - AmericaBenefits Of Learning English While Travelling In The United States of AmericaTop Benefits And Tips For Learning English In The USAShort Courses To Enrol On Whilst In The USAAttractions For US Sitcom Lovers To VisitOther Options For ESL English Learners To Visit The United States of AmericaUS Entry Essentials To For The English Language LearnerIf you are an ESL learner and you are serious about developing your English language skills and developing fluency to feed into your English as a second language (ESOL) course, then you should definitely consider travelling out of the ordinary ESL classroom and into an extraordinary English speaking country as part of your English language development.What better way to grasp a language than to immerse yourself in the country's culture, hearing the language being spoken by natives?No one can dispute the effectiveness of enrolling in ESL programs, don't get us wrong. ESOL teaching techniques and ESOL English certification programs for ESL students are top quality and have proven to be highly effective. The learning environment and teaching strategies certainly are the leading factor in motivation and language development for students. This method of teaching and learning gives English language learners a solid foundation in the language, giving students the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to communicate in English competently.But despite the strengths of ESL English language instruction in the traditional way, speaking English requires more than just language training. For non native students to learn English effectively and fluently they must spend some time in English speaking countries. This will allow them to transform limited English language skills into high-level language proficiency.When you study in the classroom, your English speaking tends to stop once you leave the physical class. But when you live abroad in an English speaking country, English language teaching opportunities are all around you and you learn fast. This strategy has real value for international students who are serious about their second language acquisition and want to speed up the process.The Northeast is where you will find New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island.The Midwest is where you will find Ohio, Michigan and Kansas.The South is where you will find Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and TexasThe West is where you find California, Arizona, Alaska and New Mexico.Like the UK, People in the USA live all over the country, you can find huge cities or tiny towns and everything in between. The transport system is fantastic with trains and long distance buses that can take you anywhere you need to go. However, English learner who hopes to travel across the country should be aware of how large the United States is depending on your connection it could take days to travel from the east to west coast.It is important while planni ng your trip in the USA that you maximise your time to learn the most possible about the language and culture. If you want to experience the immersion and enrichment from travelling abroad, you have to be very intentional in your learning. Because you will not have an English tutor or language program to guide your learning.You will be fully responsible for your speaking skills, your listening skills and your comprehension. This will be your most honest language assessment, and you will have to become a teacher to yourself. Spotting opportunities to learn, by paying attention to the native grammatical language that English speakers use.Imagine if you improved your English speaking by sightseeing in the USA. Photo Source: UnsplashBenefits Of Learning English While Travelling In The United States of AmericaAdvancing with your English proficiency is the goal of any trip abroad to an English speaking country.  If you are willing to be fully engaged in your own development and learning of English, then this will be a successful experience.Be aware of no smoking signs even when you outsideThe international country code is 1, and each state has its own 3 digit area codeSaying hello or shaking hands is the usual greeting upon meeting someone. Depending on where you are you may be hugged or kissed on the cheek.As an ESOL student travelling in the USA, you are going to have the time of your life, and it will undoubtedly be a highlight of your English language learning journey. When you go back to your ESOL lessons so much more is going to make sense to you. This is an experience that brings your imagination to life and also brings the language to life too. So if you have the chance make sure to book your trip ASAP and start the language learning journey of a lifetime.Imagine being able to say that you improved your English speaking confidence by sightseeing in New York, USA or Melbourne Australia.If you found this useful, why not check out our blog on Student Travel in Canada!

Heart Math Tutoring Fills Critical Gaps in Math for Hundreds of CMS Students - Heart Math Tutoring

Heart Math Tutoring Fills Critical Gaps in Math for Hundreds of CMS Students - Heart Math Tutoring Heart Math Tutoring Fills Critical Gaps in Math for Hundreds of CMS Students Heart Math Tutoring Fills Critical Gaps in Math for Hundreds of CMS Students June 17, 2016 Heart is proud to announce that in the 2015/16 school year, 99 percent of Heart students met program growth goals in math, growing in two or more building block concept areas. On average, students doubled the goal â€" growing in 4.6 concept areas. The goals were set with guidance from math specialists at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and UNC Charlotte. “We are proud of our students and know that their tutors left them in a better place than they began, ultimately bringing long-term benefits,” says Emily Elliott, executive director of Heart. “The skills Heart measures are proven to be critical building blocks for success in math, supporting students as they enter higher levels of math, meet graduation requirements, and access career and post-secondary options.” In addition, more than 90 percent of teachers observed conceptual growth in math and believe Heart had an impact on class work and tests; 96 percent of teachers believe that students showed an increase in confidence and enthusiasm for math as a result of the program; and 74 percent said students became more confident and enthusiastic in subjects other than math as a result of the program. See the full press release here.

Get Your Child Ready For School

Get Your Child Ready For School Get Your Child Ready for School The start of the school year causes a mixed reaction among elementary school-aged children. Some are excited to see their friends and begin learning again. Others feel the summer went by in a blink and mourn the loss of the warm weather, playing outside all day and lack of homework. After a long summer of limited learning, students might need extra help preparing for the upcoming school year. How can you help your child get ready for school? Slowly adjust your child back into the typical school schedule. In the last weeks before school begins, it is highly beneficial if parents simulate their childs daily school routine. Practice the morning process of waking up earlier, getting dressed and eating breakfast within your school schedule. Therefore, when school begins your child will be well adjusted and able to focus on their day of learning. Set the time and place for homework. Whether it is the kitchen table or their own desk, creating a designated place, and a time, for homework makes it a habit. If possible, be available for your student while he or she is doing homework so you can help with any potential problems. Talk with your childs teachers. During elementary school, it is vital to check in with your childs teachers. Understand the type of homework, tests and projects your student will be assigned so you can help and arent surprised by bigger projects that are on the horizon. Keep track of when your childs assignments are due so that you can instill time management skills. Find exceptional tutoring services. To ensure your childs success, turn to tutoring services. Provide your student with professional help so he or she can succeed during the upcoming school year. With the help of a learning center, students will remain on track with what is being taught in their classrooms. Do not wait for your student to show signs of struggling with the subject matter. By introducing tutoring services early in your childs life, you will instill the first of many valuable lessons always ask for help when needed!

?? How to Help Your Child Get a Successful Career

?? How to Help Your Child Get a Successful Career How to Help Your Child Get a Successful Career Career planning is a responsible step most parents should take with their children in today's economic climate. But discussing the number of good careers promising prosperous futures goes hand in hand with an understanding of how to raise successful kids without overparenting. Success is about more than money and recognition. It is also about the satisfaction of a spending time and effort to fulfill professional duties to achieve a goal. A successful career should become one element in the puzzle of a happy life. These steps should be a starting point for career development plan...Inspire your child to show individualityOne of the most widely spread mistakes of all times and generations is to intentionally or unintentionally impose your career vision for your child onto them. Some parents aim at making their child the successor of a whole life’s work; others try to realise unfulfilled ambitions.Whilst we do know that parents have the best intentions, some children are not quite bra ve enough to contradict; others can’t help admiring when looking at how their mother or father work in the offered field that makes them “try on” a wrong decision. As a parent, you should help your child find THEIR domain.Of course, a family is the first most important institute for child success. Give your child enough space to test themselves in different spheres of interests: even if you don’t quite believe that it is your child’s calling, let them try it to ascertain. Be patient and attentive. Be an advisor who is always ready to share. Make sure you let your child know about some aspects of their chosen profession that they may not have considered, such as educational achievements or any other valuable information.You can help your child to come to a better understanding of what makes them, them - a truly indispensable step for raising successful children.Encourage practicingIt is never too early to try out your skills in areas that peak career interests. Parents who encourage their children to participate in different activities related to the sphere where they are likely to apply their talents and skills make a significant contribution to their child's future.There are plenty of opportunities to learn more about those good career choices which correspond to your child's skills. This includes volunteering, workshops, taster days, and speaking with those who have already made their career in a particular domain. Prompt your child to try some part-time jobs and acquire experience at school or extra-curricular organisations. Over the school years little by little, they will get a solid portfolio of experiences, which will become a solid base for an application letter or their first CV.Teenagers are not very communicative, and organisation is often not their strength â€" your task is to give hints when needed. Having reached the age of 13, it's important your child attends extracurricular classes related to their interests. At 15-years old, they sh ould start thinking about their first work experiences. You are here to help them keep to their career development plan.Help your child to start their own businessStarting a business is a hugely responsible step, which helps young adults understand how the world works.There are several stages to pass to develop a sustainable business mindset. • Find areas of interest. If your child doesn't have an exact idea for a business they'd like to start, ask them to list things they likedoing. If they're good at maths, giving lessons to younger children will be great experience. If your child's passion is hand-made items, selling these sort of things can be really productive for their future. Or if yourchild isfond of languages and literature, they could offer classmates writing support tohelp them detect mistakes from their homework. • Determine primary goals. There is no point in starting a business if you don’t know why you are doing it â€" ask your child to put down financial goals, professional goals, or any other which they find important. • Make a plan. Wondering how to start a business with a child with limited resources? Now that they know what are they want to focus on, ask your child to make a list of what they need to start moving towards those goals. • Introduction to money management. In the majority of cases, parents need to invest some money. Ask your child to make a list of what is needed and how much it will cost. You can offer to organise the “meeting with an investor” to represent the idea of financial needs. • Set up an account in social media or a website. An online presence gives better opportunities for businesses â€" help your child to market their products or services. Reviews of grateful clients and discounts will make their contribution.Be ready to take second placeRaising successful children means bringing up individuals who can make decisions and take responsibility. At the age of 16, your child will need to have a clear und erstanding of how to make correct decisions on time. Unfortunately, many parents can’t help taking everything on themselves. They continueorganising every single detail instead of encouraging independence. This approach is merely a veil of protection for parents.If your decision to implement rules on how to raise successful kids is to be firm, be ready to step aside from time to time to give your child space for the development of decision-making skills from early years. As a wise counsellor, you can prompt which aspects your child should take into account. Never impose your opinion. Of course, if the situation gets more complicated, you will always be there to give prompts and discuss more options or offer a helping hand.Always remember: make room for your child to spread their wings to carve out their own career path!Author BioCrystal Roman is a passionate traveler and writer who is keen on psychology, sociology, and marketing. Currently, she is sharing her knowledge with studen ts who are in need of assistance. She is happy to help students from all over the globe to uncomplicate academic issues and speed up success.

The 16 Best Strategies for Successful Exam Preparation

The 16 Best Strategies for Successful Exam Preparation Most students (children, teenagers and adults) dread the inevitable exam-time. And all students have their own method of revision and set themselves their own time in which to prepare. Whether you give yourself a month, a week or start revising three months before depends on how easily you recall information or how organised you are; but there are plenty of ways to ensure your study time can be effective. Here are the top 16 strategies for the most successful exam preparation. Follow these tips and exam-time will never appear so daunting again: 1. Understand the reason why passing the exam is so important to you There is a reason why you are studying for that exam and only you know that reason. You may be studying for a course to achieve a promotion at work, doing your GCSE's or A-levels, sitting an entrance exam, finishing your University module or trying to get your CIMA. Whatever the reason you are sitting these exams in the hope of passing them so keeping this reason at the forefront of your mind will certainly help. 2. Organise your time It is crucial to be organised when starting your revision. A great way to do this is to make a timetable; one that is reasonable for you to follow and flexible enough for you to stick to. Decide what time of day is when you study and retain information best and use your timetable to help you stick to a routine. Try to have your timetable ready at least a week before you plan to start your revision. 3. Start early Starting your revision early eliminates the stress of trying to squeeze everything in last minute. A good plan is to try to be as organised as possible, as early as possible. For example, planning three months ahead will give you more than enough time to absorb all the revision you need to sail through your exam and hopefully give you enough time to relax a bit before the big day. This will leave you feeling less-stressed and more able to confront your exam. 4. Review your notes regularly By doing this you'll be re-enforcing new found knowledge. If you are able to review your notes regularly throughout the year then by the time exam-time comes around your revision will not be so daunting! 5. Do past papers The best way to prepare for an exam is to try and take regular practice tests. By doing this you'll get to know the style of exam questions and learn the language you need to pass the exam. It also means you'll have plenty of experience, be able to work better against the clock and train your brain to write quicker for an exam. Make sure you practice answering the questions within the specified time limit and always try to check your answers to make sure you get them right. 6. Take regular breaks Research has shown that taking regular breaks when studying is far more productive than trying to study hard for hours on end. Taking a 10 minute break every hour gives you time to absorb the information you have learnt and helps you concentrate for the next hour. 7. Sleep well Sleep is actually very important. It's a fact that our brains work best when they are well-rested. Trying to learn a whole lot of revision notes when you are feeling exhausted will be quite a waste of time as your brain will not absorb the information and you'll end up exhausting yourself more. Make sure you try to get a good eight hours sleep as experts recommend this is the right amount of time for a body and brain to recharge. 8. Drink plenty of water Being well hydrated is necessary for your brain to work at it's best so make sure you drink plenty of water whilst revising. A glass of water is recommended for every hour study so don't let those brain cells get thirsty! 9. Snack on 'brain food' With revision comes the need for the odd snack during our small breaks to ensure the best concentration. Make sure you choose nutritious brain foods to keep your body and brain well-fuelled. Stay away from junk food and especially sugar as this will cause your energy levels to crash an hour or so later. Opt for energy-filled foods such as nuts, yoghurt, berries and seeds. 10. Choose places to study Everyone has a 'happy place' or a place where they seem to be able to concentrate more. Whether it be in your garden on a nice sunny day, in your study or in your bedroom choose the place that best reduces distractions and keeps your mind at peace so that your study time will be more effective. 11. Break questions down When preparing for an exam always make sure you understand the questions you are being asked. Look for key clues within the question and try to break them up. Practice this with practise papers; if you don't answer the question correctly you won't get the marks you want. Read the question carefully and make sure you fully understand what is being asked. 12. Ask for help When revising, it is not just about memorising as much information as you can; it's about understanding the information. If you don't understand something, ask for help. Talk to your teacher, lecturer, tutor, parent or fellow student and pick their brains until you have a clearer comprehension of the topic. This will alleviate stress and make revising simpler and easier to grasp. 13. Join a study group Revising with classmates and friends can help keep you motivated and offer you the additional support you may need when getting ready for that final exam. A study group offers extra assistance, takes away the loneliness that revising can sometimes bring with it and encourages you and your classmates to ask each other questions and get some varied and often informative answers that you may not have thought of yourself. 14. Get a Tutor's help Finding a tutor to help you with your exam revision and preparation has never been more popular. First Tutors can help you find a suitable tutor, near to where you live and you can then arrange the best times to work with your chosen tutor either at your home or theirs; or even online. Tutors are great in that they can help you understand difficult topics, can prepare extra materials for you to use and can get some good past papers for you to practice on (that they will mark and comment on for you!). 15. Vary the material A great way to revise is to challenge yourself to write down as much as you can about a topic you are familiar with. Go through these notes and highlight any gaps so that you can fill them in. As you get closer to the exam condensing your notes down into diagrams can help you to quickly remember everything you need to know in your exam. 16. Don't Cram and Keep calm! When it comes to the exam don't try to cram in any extra or last-minute information; you will only end up confusing yourself and feeling more nervous. Review your notes and try to test yourself on key points. Relax as much as you can and try to feel confident that you have revised as much as possible. When that exam eventually dawns you should keep as calm as possible so that your brain can respond and function at it's maximum. To Conclude Exam time doesn't need to be a stressful and anxious time and by following a plan and making sure you stick to it you will be on the way to a successful outcome. Organise your time, eat and sleep well and seek help and advice where needed. Good luck!! Post By: Anna MichaelidouAnna has been a private tutor of both English Literature and English Language for fifteen years having taught all levels from nursery school right through to university level. She has a BA (Hons) Degree in English Literature Modern Languages, is a writer, content marketing executive and a busy mother of four lovely children.

Common Core and School Math

Common Core and School Math Common Core and School Math The goal of the Common Core State Standards is to ensure that students will be college- and career-ready in their skills and knowledge by the end of high school. A secondary purpose is to have consistent criteria of grade-level expectations in English Language Arts and Mathematics across states. In the 2015-2016 school year, 42 states are officially utilizing the Common Core standards in math, but this is expected to decrease as some states have repealed the standards. The shared learning goals do not constitute a national curriculum. They are a list of the skills students need to know by the end of specific grade levels from K-12. The standards do not explain how content should be taught nor do they recommend what materials to use. Each state and/or school district decides what school curriculum and sequence of skills to develop in order to comply with the state standards. Because schools use different curriculums, how concepts are taught may vary widely in neighboring school districts. The Common Core standards for math were designed using the following guidelines. Rather than racing to cover many topics in a mile-wide, inch-deep curriculum, it aims for teachers to narrow and deepen their math focus. The key domains, algebra and geometry, are introduced as early as kindergarten and are featured throughout the grades. Other important domains are measurement, numbers, operations, functions, statistics, probability, and modeling. These standards are intended to be cohesive by connecting topics from year to year. The standards aim to rigorously teach with equal weight: conceptual understanding, procedural skills and fluency, and application of mathematical ways of thinking. To achieve these aims, word problems are embedded throughout the school grades, and children are expected to explain why their answers are correct. Children learn a variety of ways to solve a problem, and calculator usage is widespread. Some critics say schools have lost sight of the Common Core aims to develop procedural skills and fluency as calculation ability is no longer emphasized in the classroom. You might also be interested in: Common Core and School English Language Arts Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture How is Kumon Different from School Math? These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon Common Core and School Math Common Core and School Math The goal of the Common Core State Standards is to ensure that students will be college- and career-ready in their skills and knowledge by the end of high school. A secondary purpose is to have consistent criteria of grade-level expectations in English Language Arts and Mathematics across states. In the 2015-2016 school year, 42 states are officially utilizing the Common Core standards in math, but this is expected to decrease as some states have repealed the standards. The shared learning goals do not constitute a national curriculum. They are a list of the skills students need to know by the end of specific grade levels from K-12. The standards do not explain how content should be taught nor do they recommend what materials to use. Each state and/or school district decides what school curriculum and sequence of skills to develop in order to comply with the state standards. Because schools use different curriculums, how concepts are taught may vary widely in neighboring school districts. The Common Core standards for math were designed using the following guidelines. Rather than racing to cover many topics in a mile-wide, inch-deep curriculum, it aims for teachers to narrow and deepen their math focus. The key domains, algebra and geometry, are introduced as early as kindergarten and are featured throughout the grades. Other important domains are measurement, numbers, operations, functions, statistics, probability, and modeling. These standards are intended to be cohesive by connecting topics from year to year. The standards aim to rigorously teach with equal weight: conceptual understanding, procedural skills and fluency, and application of mathematical ways of thinking. To achieve these aims, word problems are embedded throughout the school grades, and children are expected to explain why their answers are correct. Children learn a variety of ways to solve a problem, and calculator usage is widespread. Some critics say schools have lost sight of the Common Core aims to develop procedural skills and fluency as calculation ability is no longer emphasized in the classroom. You might also be interested in: Common Core and School English Language Arts Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture How is Kumon Different from School Math? These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon