Curriculum

The beauty of mathematics is that it is a well structured subject, and it is quite easy to define the progression of the topics. All states (NH, MA ...) have similar goals for every grade, the difference is in the method and depth of teaching. Having the right amount of homework is very important. Concepts cannot be forgotten if students get consistent homework on the new topics as well as topics previously learned.

There are no special techniques or strategies to teach math. If we can get students to like math, because they understand it and they see what they can do with it, then half of the work is done. TFF focuses in making the learning experience enjoyable and fulfilling, and the material (class booklets and homework booklets) are very carefully prepared to make it attractive and interesting to work on. Once we have a program that is appealing to the student, it is very easy to get deeper in the subject and solve a variety of problems, as the students are motivated to learn, and learning in a group environment is the key to making it fun.

You can find a detailed curriculum for every level under programs

Methodology

ThinkForFun levels are not based on school grades. Students will be placed based on what they know and how they tackle word problems.

Every class will meet once a week. In the first half of the class period, students will be taught concepts and will solve problems interactively with a teacher while working on their class booklet. In the second half, students will get help on homework problems as required, go over the previous week's corrected homework, and indulge in mathematical games, puzzles and mental math challenges.

Mathematics cannot be mastered without regular homework. Students will get a weekly homework booklet, which will consist of 40% mechanical operations to develop speed and accuracy, 50% analytical problem solving, and 10% puzzles and brain teasers. A TFF staff will correct the weekly homework booklet. Every homework will get a grade, and students are rewarded with TFF $.

TFF has three tests during the school year. Students that exhibit excellence in homework, class work, lab activities and tests, might be recommended to skip a level

Results

Most of our students place well on competitions like MATHCOUNTS, AMC, AIME, IMELEM, MathLeague, Math Olympiads, ContinentalMath, etc.

ThinkForFun students just breeze through school math; the material we cover is way beyond school level, and the depth at which we cover it through class and the weekly homework booklets, make it possible for students to dominate all concepts taught comfortably. TFF is a compelling math enrichment program, and our goal is to provide a competitive and nurturing environment for students who want to take the extra mile. Solving more than 500 word problems to develop problem solving skills, and critical thinking takes effort.

Many of our students take advance placement tests in school to do higher grade math. Many TFF students are doing 2 years ahead math in school.

Students that go through the ThinkForFun program will not need any additional preparation for SATs and will be prepared to get through the first two years of math in college.

Grades K - 5

Students from these grades have the following levels to complete at ThinkForFun. They are Alpha, Beta, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta and Eta.

In these levels, students will master operations with integers and fractions. They will be able to formulate and solve one variable equations and will have working knowledge of decimals. They will solve over 2400 distinct word problems in these years, and will be very comfortable solving multi-step word problems. Students will be able to solve problems that involve length, weight, time, calendar, etc. They will also learn plenty of geometry concepts. They will be able to apply algebra to solve word problems. The weekly homework booklets are very important for the students to get enough practice and exposure to dominate all topics covered.

Getting our elementary level students to enjoy math, and build a strong foundation, is the key to their success later in school and through college.

Grades 6 - 8

Levels Eta, Kappa and Lambda are designed for students in grades 6-8. Kappa and Lambda will cover many high-school level concepts.

In these levels, students will master all operations with real numbers, percentages, ratios, systems of linear equations, absolute value equations, inequalities, line-slope concepts, venn diagrams, speed problems, average, number theory concepts, the Pythagoras theorem, similar triangles properties, and various other geometry concepts.

They will master algebra topics and solve any algebra problem. Students completing these levels will score more than 700 in the SAT math. Most concepts required to excel in AMC8, MATHCOUNTS will have been covered. Weekly homework booklets will be given to nail down the concepts. These homework booklets will be graded by ThinkForFun staff.

Grades 9 - 12

ThinkForFun is about making kids enjoy thinking and solving problems. For students in high-school, we will not only focus on Math problems, but do Physics and Statistics problems as well. Once we teach the students to think logically and to break a problem into pieces and solve it methodically, they will be able to solve any problem, no matter how difficult it is.

In these levels we cater to high schoolers; Tau, Pi, Sigma, Psi and Calculus, we will be covering many complex concepts such as Complex Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Functions, Limit, Matrices, Probabilities, ...

SAT Math focusses on topics like applications of ratios / proportions, algebra and math topics associated with SAT Math. Students can double up on classes if desired.