asks you to ponder this...

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” (Albert Einstein)

WHY Blue Monkey?•To teach strategies that foster independent thinkers

– “Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein

•To make learning fun and meaningful – “Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein

•Integrate core literacy and math skills with engaging text and activities based on student interests

•Cooperative learning structures encourage social skills, build ideas, peer coaching

•Learn about the student through the student– observation, tasks/activities, discussions and select assessments

Who Can Participate?• Elementary students, K-6...SPECIFICALLY

– Students earning “average grades,” B’s and C’sWHY?

– These children receive less and less strategic instructional support in school.

– Teachers are required to spend significant time planning and executing interventions for struggling students, deemed “high risk.” • The performance of these students on state testing is valued higher for

academic gains, which constitute 50% of the school’s grade.

– Students achieving the highest scores on assessments, “low risk and gifted,” receive extra enrichment time.

The majority of students need more instructional time and independent practice to master skills taught.

“Practice Makes Perfect” Students have less and less time to practice• Increased pacing demands

– More material and district mandated testing deadlines• Frequent and lengthy assessments

– District reading and math tests consist of 20-30 multiple choice and written response questions. Most students take a minimum of one hour, and often up to two hours to complete.

– Tests can fill entire teaching blocks, limiting instruction and practice time for students.

Here are a couple examples of third grade math test questions:1) Miguel is thinking of a five-digit odd number between 48,960 and 49,058. The ones digit is 3 more than the tens digit. What number could Miguel be thinking of?

2) Bobbie wants to make $2.00 using dollars, half dollars, and quarters. How many different ways can she make $2.00?

Blue Monkey’s goal is to extend classroom learning with lessons and guided practice to help students maximize their

potential and unlock their love for learning.

Fill the Gap

Large Tutoring Centers/Agencies: (Sylvan, Huntington, Kumon)•significant time investment & financial commitment•contract requirements•heavy emphasis on assessments & computerized data analysis•“corporate training” for tutors•concentration on test prep

Independent Tutors (universities, care.com, retired teachers)•time consuming search•uncertain reputation•limited understanding of current classroom practices•high hourly rates•limited peer collaboration

Online Programs•impersonal•limited hands-on opportunities•longer response times for feedback•reserve computer time for alternative learning resources

Competitive Analysis What educational services are available now?