And we tend to agree, which is why we’ve delivered a different approach since our inception. Yes, many of our teachers have funny accents, but once a student walks into a classroom, they’re greeted by a supportive, fun, and intellectually stimulating environment. Classrooms are alive with conversation and debate. Even our five-year-olds have been known to actively discuss just which watermelon, when added to the scale, balances it.
Children change drastically from year to year, so for new and continuing students alike, the beginning of the year is a time of discovery. Teachers learn the way a student thinks, identify any gaps in knowledge, and determine the sweet spot between challenging and overwhelming their students. For new students, it takes some time to get accustomed to two extra hours of math class and homework!
Keeping this in mind, RSM was designed as a triangle. A three-way partnership between parents, students, and teachers. When all three sides of this triangle are actively engaged and working together, then our students are empowered to blossom as avid learners and math intellectuals.
Going into the second semester, there are a few things we encourage our parents to do to fulfill their side of the triangle:
- Each RSM class builds on the one before it. The curriculum takes the knowledge students attained, and through the careful guidance of the teacher, encourages students to derive a new concept from it. This is why missing a class can be challenging. But we know that our students have busy schedules. If your child misses a class, let them try the homework. And if they can't complete more than half of it, please bring them to a free homework help session.
- We refer to our teaching methodology as the "RSM Way." Many of the problems in our curriculum aren’t straightforward; they may include a hidden concept that, through a process of exploration, classes discover together. It’s very hard to replicate that process at home, particularly if a new concept was introduced in class. But if your child has a question on the homework, and you'd like to help, please first take a look at the classwork. The methodology used in class will often be reflected there. We recommend that you alert your teacher, and she will make sure to cover that problem in class as well.
- Our methodology borrows from Vygotsky's "zone of proximal development" idea. Meaning that the homework will often include a problem that wasn't discussed in class, one that we know will be challenging for our students. We expect that some of them won't be able to solve it, but we do want all students to attempt the problem. It is a great learning experience for our students to push themselves to try problems that don't come easily. And all such problems are then discussed in class. If you have any questions on these problems, we, as always, encourage you to reach out to your teacher. They will enjoy discussing the concepts behind each!
- Key to the RSM learning process is making sure that every student “lives” in that optimal space between being challenged but not overwhelmed. Or, in other words, just slightly out of his or her comfort zone. If you feel that a class might be too easy or too challenging, please reach out to your teacher or principal. Our staff is very adept at identifying the best placement for a child. In addition to homework, quizzes, and tests - classroom participation is also vital in determining the best level for a student. We always want to make sure that a child is in a class where she or he will be able to actively participate in the discussion. By evaluating all of these factors, your teacher or principal will be able to make the best recommendation.
- Remember that you are part of the RSM family! We believe that any child can learn and enjoy math, and it is our joy to teach it. RSM is structured to provide all families the necessary resources to empower their children to excel. We encourage you to make use of these!
