MATH COURSE Descriptions
MathAltitude offers small classes for students in grades Pre-K through high school. In most cases students attend classes that correspond to their grade at school. However, math skills and preparation can vary significantly and it is important to match the student’s ability with an appropriate level of challenge. Assessment tests allow us to properly place new students into the program.
Math-Я-Us (Offered to Students in Pre-School and Pre-K)
This is an introductory course for our youngest math wizards where in engaging and interactive form students explore the concepts of mathematics. Our students enjoy participation in creative activities, where they learn to count, compare, classify, solve problems, and have lots of fun along the way.
Students meet once a week for a 45 minute lesson. During that time parents can enjoy a cup of coffee in nearby cafes, or just wait in our school staying connected with our free WiFi Internet access.
MA-K (Offered to Students in Pre-School, Kindergarten and 1st Grade)
MathAltitude MA-K-program complements the regular Kindergarten activities, developing strong number sense, building early math skills, and learning and using math vocabulary. Instructional time in large focuses on representing and comparing whole numbers, initially with sets of objects, describing shapes and space, and working with patterns. Word problems are also introduced for the first time. Children develop logical thinking and reasoning skills through a variety of fun and engaging activities. Students meet for a 90 minute session once a week.
Mathematics, MA 1 - 6 (Offered to Elementary School Students, Grades 1-6)
MathAltitude's six-year program for elementary school students spans the entire primary school curriculum. During the first two years, students develop the basic arithmetic and analytical skills. Elements of algebra and geometry are introduced. The main emphasis is on word problems and logical reasoning. As students progress through the program, they continue to expand their computational and problem solving skills. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week.
Pre-Algebra (Offered to Students in Grades 6-7)
Pre-Algebra provides a solid foundation for Algebra in middle and high school. The course starts with a thorough review of operations with decimals, fractions, and percent, continuing onto the study of ratios and proportions, and finally moving onto the study of linear equations, simple inequalities, and linear functions. Significant emphasis is given to solving word problems algebraically. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week. This course is recommended to be taken concurrently with Introduction to Geometry.
Advanced Algebra (For Current MathAltitude Students in Grades 7-9)
This is a comprehensive 3-year in-depth program that covers all topics traditionally offered in middle and high school Algebra I and II courses. The level of difficulty of our course exceeds Honors Algebra offered in middle and high school. It is recommended for students returning to MathAltitude, but may also be taken by new students based on their placement test results and teacher’s recommendation.
The first part of the series includes topics such as algebraic expressions, linear equations and systems of linear equations, inequalities, application of algebraic methods to solving word problems, exponents, polynomials and algebraic fractions, functions, etc.
The second year starts with a brief review of the previous year’s topics concentrating on factoring, special products, quadratic equations. Students continue developing strong problem solving techniques. The course covers radicals and operations with radical expressions, functions, and graphs.
The course concludes with an in-depth study of theory of functions, exponential and logarithmic expressions and functions, complex numbers, arithmetic and geometric sequences, combinatorics, and probability studied during the third year. Throughout the course, students are prepared for participation in the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programs at Johns Hopkins University and the AMC-8, AMC-10 contests. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week.
HS Algebra I and II (Offered to Students in Grades 8-10)
HS Algebra I and II are one year courses covering the topics offered to complement middle school Algebra I Honors or high school Algebra I and II Honors classes. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week.
Introduction to Geometry (Offered to Students in Grades 6-7)
Intro to Geometry is an introductory course that provides an overview of basic geometric shapes and their properties. In this course, the students will study parallel lines, angles, simple polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals, etc.), and circles as well as get the initial knowledge of simple 3D shapes like pyramids, cones, cylinders, spheres and prisms.
An early introduction to the systematic study of Geometry allows students to avoid anxiety and complications later in high school when they are often overwhelmed with this and other subjects. The course is also helpful for students who want to advance in middle school and are planning to participate in the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programs at Johns Hopkins University and the AMC-8 contests. Students meet for a one hour lesson once a week.
Geometry I and II (Offered to Students in Grades 7-9)
We strongly believe that Geometry should be taught early and thoroughly. Our 2-year course is offered to students in grades 7 through 9 and will serve as a solid foundation for high school Geometry Honors.
During the first year, students will expand on the topics studied in the Introduction to Geometry course, such as parallel and perpendicular lines, angles, congruency of triangles, and polygons. We cover the most important postulates and theorems and teach our students how to apply them to solve more difficult problems.
The second part of the course includes topics such as similarity, circles, trigonometry of right triangles, and inequalities in geometry. Throughout the course, our students learn the importance of proofs and how to apply deductive reasoning to write proofs in a 2-column statement-reasoning format. Indirect reasoning and proofs are also introduced in this course. Constructions with a straight edge and compass are integral parts of the course. The course provides additional benefits to students planning to participate in the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programs at Johns Hopkins University and the AMC-8, AMC-10 contests. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week.
Geometry III / Trigonometry (Offered to Students in Grades 9-10)
This course can be considered an extension of the two-year Geometry sequence, or a stand-alone course for the students who want to learn more advanced topics of Geometry. It provides a comprehensive study of trigonometry, solids, coordinate geometry, vector algebra, and transformations. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week.
HS Geometry (Offered to Students in Grades 9-10)
HS Geometry is a one-year course covering the topics offered to complement high school Geometry Honors classes. Students meet for a two-hour lesson once a week.
Pre-Calculus (Grades 9-11)
As part of this two-hour per week class students review the key topics from Advanced Algebra, part 3 and study more advanced topics of Pre-Calculus. This course complements high school Pre-Calculus Honors class.
AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics (Grades 11-12)
These classes prepare for AP Calculus (AB) and AP Statistics exams. They meet once a week for 3 hours.
ACT / SAT - I (Grades 9-11)
An in-depth review of the Algebra and Geometry topics required for the SAT college entrance exam. Students meet for 4-hour lesson once a week.
Subject SAT, Math Level 1 (Grades 10-11)
This is a 4-hour per week class which is offered to students planning to take the SAT Math Level 1 Subject Test at the end of the school year. The course starts with all students taking an SAT diagnostic test and then working on mastering required skills throughout the year. The course is also recommended to students interested in the algebraic and geometric concepts of pre-calculus including properties of functions and trigonometry.
Subject SAT, Math Level 2 (grades 10-11)
A 4-hour per week class similar to the SAT, Level 1 course, but covering more advanced topics such as pre-calculus. This course is recommended for students planning to take the SAT Math Level 2 Subject Test at the end of the school year.
Participation in Math Olympiads: Math Kangaroo, AMC, NLMC
Parents often ask us whether their children should participate in math competitions. To quote Richard Rusczyk, the founder of The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Inc. and a co-author of The Art of Problem Solving textbooks, “the most immediate value of math contests is obvious – they pique students’ interest in mathematics and encourage them to value intellectual pursuits”. He continues, “Beyond encouraging interest in mathematics, contests help prepare students for competition. For better or worse, much of life is competition, be it for jobs or resources or whatever”. We agree with Richard wholeheartedly and prepare our students for a great experience with the well-known mathematical contests.