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TheBalancedChild - Workbooks |
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Give your child a boost ...with our successful home school workbooks |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
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THEBALANCEDCHILD WORKBOOKS Question: What learning principles are TheBalancedChild workbooks based on? Answer: Our specialist Maths, Science & English workbooks are from Singapore, and are based on the Singapore educational system that has consistently produced the top primary and secondary school students in the world. Singapore students have consistently come top in the 4-yearly worldwide TIMSS (Trends in International Maths & Science Study) evaluation conducted by US educational researchers in 1995, 1999 and 2003 across 46 countries (primarily developed countries) covering some 360,000 students. The study and the results can be found here. The 2007 worldwide survey results are expected to be released in late 2008. The Singapore teaching approach, nowadays often referred to generically as ‘Singapore Math’, draws from leading education research worldwide. However it gives particular attention to the fact that children have different thinking styles, and that consequently different learning strategies and techniques are required for any one learning situation, to address the various learning styles. In addition, it systematically revisits key topics at each learning level, but with added complexity and sophistication each time. More information can be found on our website here.
Question: What is the basis of the global TIMSS evaluation (the Trends in International Maths & Science Study), which Singapore repeatedly tops? Answer: TIMSS is organized by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) in Amsterdam the Netherlands. The IEA delegates responsibility for the overall coordination and management of the projects to the International Study Center at Boston College. The United States, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Project, and participating nations pay for and carry out the data collection according to international guidelines. In the United States, TIMSS is supported by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). More info can be found here.
Question: Are TheBalancedChild workbooks the 'actual' Singapore books or are they just written using the 'Singapore approach'? Answer: Our workbooks are indeed the ‘actual’ Singapore books, published by one of the major publishers in Singapore. The 'Singapore approach' itself is developed and owned by the Ministry of Education, and not the publishers. This curriculum approach is then licensed to the publishers, who then publish books with the aid of recognised curriculum specialists groomed in the ‘Singapore approach’.
Question: Who are TheBalancedChild workbooks suitable for? Answer: Our specialist Maths, Science & English workbooks, focused on primary and early middle school levels, were selected to supplement learning at school or at home. They help to extend and anchor the child’s understanding of the key concepts & principles of the respective subjects. Depending on the learning level used, the workbooks are effective learning-aids both for children who need to build a stronger foundation, as well as for gifted & talented children who need advanced challenge. Question: Which level of TheBalancedChild books is suitable for my child? Answer: As a general rule, the scope and emphasis of the Singapore school curriculum is not directly comparable to those in Australia & New Zealand, particularly in the early primary and middle school stages. As indicated on our website (click here), generally if a child's ability is about a 7 or more on a scale of 1 to 10 in his/her current class level, it would be worth working on the equivalent Primary level in TheBalancedChild series initially. However, my own children's experience in Australia suggests that, for example, a Year 7 child coping moderately well in school here would be better suited to the Singapore Primary 6 books offered by TheBalancedChild. This is also borne out by the NSW educational testing process. Of course a child who needs a stronger grounding initially would benefit by starting at one step lower to build a firm foundation, then working up to the equivalent year level.
<< Back to top >> Question: Where can I view more details on TheBalancedChild books - prices, sample pages, etc ? Answer: All the information you need is available on TheBalancedChild website (click here). The prices of the books are listed in detail on the website, both individually and in discounted sets (click here). In addition, we also provide brief descriptions of each book, as well as sample contents of the books for each grade (click here).
Question: Why do the Maths, Science & English sets have more than one workbook each? How are they intended to be used? Answer: Each set of workbooks (in any year level) is designed for students to work through in a period of about a year, as a supplement to their normal school work. Each of the books in the set provides different perspectives on the key topics. This helps different children who have different thinking styles. In working through the workbooks, the child also gets an in-depth grasp of the key topics at that year level. They are designed to be easy to understand and work out (with answers at the end of the book), such that the student can 'self-teach' if necessary. In addition to gaining the important information and insights on the respective topics, many of the situations are presented in a problem-solving format, to strengthen the student's thinking and conceptual skills. Click here for sample pages and descriptions of the books. Question: Are TheBalancedChild books 'textbooks'? Answer: Our books are not 'text books' in the traditional sense, but supplementary workbooks that aid learning in Maths, Science & English. They contain numerous problems and questions presented in a variety of ways, allowing for various solution approaches, thereby helping to anchor the fundamentals of each topic. They are ideal both for gifted & talented children as well as for those who need additional assistance, using workbooks from the appropriate learning level. Many of the books have worked examples, but they are most effective when the child has an adult as a guide when working through them. Question: Is my child able to work through the books, (i.e. do they contain exercises for the child to work out), or are they teaching guides that assist the parent to teach the child? Answer: All our books are 'workbooks' that contain exercises & questions for the child to work through, and are not 'text books' or teaching guides to assist the parent to teach the child. They contain answers at the back of the book, so that you can verify if the child's work is correct. Some answer sections come with explanations and workings that children find useful as learning or reference tools. Question: How do the Singapore books and approach compare with Kumon? Answer: The focus of Kumon is practice, practice, practice, which is an important aspect of the Singapore system as well. However a key difference is that the Singapore approach (click here) uses it in increasingly complex 'spirals', with a variety of subtly different problem-solving approaches introduced for each topic, such that a child gains a better understanding of the linkages between the various perspectives (eg the operating relationships between decimals, fractions and percentages in Maths). In the process different children who think differently (eg 'right-brained' children who arrive at solutions intuitively, or 'left-brained' children who use deductive reasoning, etc) discover the method or approach most suited to their personal strengths and learning style. Question: Do you have an agent or bookstore where we can view TheBalancedChild books? Answer: We market these books primarily on the internet, so as to keep the cost of the books as low as they are, to share with others the same benefits that our own children received. As a consequence we do not have any agencies, retail outlets or distribution channels, thereby avoiding overhead costs. These savings are passed on to you. Instead, we have provided illustrations, detailed descriptions and specimen pages of TheBalancedChild books on the website, and would be glad to provide additional information by email if required (click here). Alternatively you might wish to order a small selection from our range of books initially to see if they are appropriate for you. As indicated on the website (click here), we offer a refund of the full retail price of the books if you subsequently find that they are not what you're looking for, and return them in their original, unused condition within 14 days. Question: Do you have a return policy? Answer: Yes. All our books are brand new and shipped in good condition. However, as indicated on the website (click here), if you are not satisfied with the books for any reason, we will refund you the full retail price of the books, no questions asked, on return of the unused books in their original, good condition within 14 days of delivery. You will of course need to absorb the postage costs.
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RELATED EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS
Question: Does TheBalancedChild offer other related educational products? Answer: Yes, we offer the creative and fun Gems of Success series of reference & activity books, as well as a wide range of educational games & activities to supplement the child’s learning of Maths, Science & English. Question: What are the Gems of Success books suitable for? Answer: The Gems of Success is a series of 12 separate reference & activity books, each designed to broaden the child's knowledge and understanding of the world around us, with interesting articles & nuggets of information. In addition they contain creative exercises in English, Science and Maths (without being obvious about it), essentially to develop the child's critical thinking and process skills. They are all pitched at a similar 'level'. Each book is unique, but all address a common level of maturity and understanding (ie they are not graded from 1 to 12). They have a similar 'look-and-feel' but contain different topics, many of them in humorous settings. They are generally ideal for children aged 10 and above, and likely not suitable for children below Yr 4. Click here for more information.
Question: What are the Educational Games & activities suitable for? Answer: These educational games, oriented to Maths, Science & English, were selected to supplement the child’s understanding and learning of the respective subjects, and in particular TheBalancedChild Maths, Science & English workbooks. They are intended to provide experiential learning in these basic academic disciplines, to anchor the intellectual learning that they will gain from the workbooks. Equally importantly, the games provide the element of fun and enjoyment necessary in learning. More information is available on our website www.TheBalancedChild-SmartGames.com.
Question: Does TheBalancedChild carry workbooks appropriate for High school (secondary school)? Answer: We have not offered secondary school workbooks from Singapore, as the focus of education at the secondary school level becomes very curriculum-dependent, whereas the fundamentals are similar at the primary or early middle school stages. In addition, the greater need was in primary and early middle school levels, following comparisons that we made with the help of school teachers of the learning stage of the average child in school here (both public and private). However, as we have had several requests recently for the secondary school books, we are currently making enquiries on the workbooks appropriate for Australia and New Zealand.
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MAKING PAYMENT Question: How do I pay for TheBalancedChild books? Answer: You may place your order online on our website, or if you prefer by phone or email. We offer a range of payment options: 1. By PayPal: This is an automated, secure and safe online payment facility, accepted worldwide. If you are not already a PayPal member, you can register for a free account on the checkout screen that appears when you use TheBalancedChild shopping cart, or at http://www.paypal.com. You can then choose to pay by credit card or make the payment directly from your bank account. On completion of your transaction, PayPal will send you confirmation of your transaction, and automatically send us your order details as well as your mailing address, so that we can complete your order. Your credit card details will remain with PayPal, and will not be divulged to us. (You will also be able to use the same PayPal account to make other secure online purchases on other websites such as eBay.) 2. By Bank Deposit or Internet Bank Transfer in Australian $: You will need to contact us for our bank details, so that you can make the transfer. You will also need to send us the exact details of the books you wish to order, as well as your mailing address, so that we can mail the books to you once we have received cleared payment. All our costs (the cost of our books, as well as postage costs) will remain the same. 3. By Bank Cheque or Money Order in Australian $ payable to 'The Balanced Child': you will need to mail us your Bank Cheque/Money Order, as well as your order details and mailing address. Question: I wanted to purchase TheBalancedChild books online, but my transaction would not go through even though I entered the correct numbers from my credit card. What do I do? Answer: To pay us by credit card online, you will need to do it using a PayPal account. It is easy to set up and free at http://www.paypal.com (see above).
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POSTAGE & HANDLING
Question: Do you send books by normal post or by courier, or by registered post, and insured? Answer: We treat postage & handling (P&H) costs as cost recovery, and attempt to keep the costs of our books as low and affordable as possible. We normally despatch our books by ordinary mail, using Australia Post and Australia Post charges based on weight and destination, with a minimal handling charge added on. However, where you specifically request us to do so, we will send you the books by courier, or by registered post, or insured. You will of course need to bear these optional costs. Question: How long will it take before I receive the books? Answer: We usually post within 3 business days of receiving cleared payment, and you can expect to receive your package within 6 business days of your order if you are in an Australian metropolitan area that is well serviced by Australia Post (it may take longer if you are outside a city area). Occasionally, however, there may be a delay of a few additional days, where we are out of town, or where we have to re-stock, but this rarely occurs. Question: Do we need to pay the same postage on each workbook, or will this be discounted according to the total weight (based on Australia Post charges)? Answer: Our postage charges are on a cost recovery basis, based on weight and destination, with a minimal handling charge added on. The workbook sets would therefore normally have a reduced postage charge. In addition, we would be happy to bulk your order on request, as there might be some savings if the order were sufficiently large. You will need to place your orders directly with us, as the website has a fixed pricing system using PayPal. Question: Do you ship your books internationally, outside Australia and New Zealand? Answer: Yes, international shipping can be arranged, but postage and handling costs will be higher (again on a cost recovery basis) and must be agreed and paid in advance. Delivery times will of course be greater as well. << Back to top >> |
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OTHER Question: How can we reach you or contact you? Answer: You can contact us through various means, as follows: 1. By using the Contact Us form on the website (click here) 2. By email: info@thebalancedchild.com 3. By Phone: +61 3 9886 3156 << Back to top >> |
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HOME TO ORDER SAMPLE CONTENTS CONTACT US FAQs TESTIMONIALS SITE MAP TheBalancedChild, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia info@TheBalancedChild.com +61 3 9886 3156 Copyright © 2008 TheBalancedChild - All Rights Reserved |
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Maths help, science for kids & English literacy - maths help & home school resources |
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| Copyright © 2008 TheBalancedChild - All Rights Reserved. |