Prealgebra 1 B (Spring 2023)

Scope:
The course curriculum is aligned with the Common Core Mathematics State Standards that have been adopted by the State of Michigan together with other forty states in the US for high-quality Grades 6-12 math education.

Objective:
Students will learn one and half years of middle school mathematics (usually covered in grade 6 and the first half year of grade 7) in one year. This course covers the same (or more) topics as the Math 6/7 Honors course that is offered in some middle schools for 6th graders who learn at an accelerated pace. Prealgebra 1 is a one-year course (Prealgebra 1 A  in the fall semester and Prealgebra 1 B in the spring semester). Prealgebra 1 B covers the second-semester content of the course.

For current elementary school students, this course can prepare testing out middle school math courses and future middle school math contests. For current middle school students, this course can enhance math learning at the grade level for state standard tests and subsequent STEM courses.

The course develops a deep conceptual and procedural understanding of mathematics. The critical areas are: (1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; (2) completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; (3) writing, interpreting, and using algebraic expressions and equations; and (4) developing understanding of statistical thinking; (5) reasoning about relationships among shapes to determine area, surface area, and volume; (6) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (7) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with algebraic expressions and linear equations.

Prerequisite:
This course is suitable for students who have mastered the elementary school math at the 5th grade level. This group often includes students who are in grades 4, 5, 6, or 7 in spring 2023.

Textbook:
This course covers topics in the textbook in two semesters. We will email you the textbook info when sufficient enrollment is reached.

Schedule:
Class will meet once a week on each Saturday 3 pm-4:30 pm ET from 01/07/2023 to 04/29/2023 (17 class meetings): 01/07, 01/14, 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/18, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25, 04/01, 04/08, 04/15, 04/22, and 04/29/2023. Tentatively weekly quizzes plus simulated tests in the spring semester.

Small class for maximized individual attention: 5-10 students

ONLINE INSTRUCTION USING ZOOM IN A FACE-TO-FACE LIVE FASHION! Syllabus and coursework will be distributed in the course Curriculum section (course registration is required).

Tuition: $408 ($24 per 1.5-hour class) non-refundable after first class.