Course Philosophy
Course Goal
To build a strong, confident, and practical foundation in mathematical thinking and skills, preparing learners for success in high school level mathematics and everyday life.
Core Mindset
We will focus on understanding why math works, not just memorizing steps. Our goal is to become confident problem-solvers who can see and use math in the world around us.
Weekly Course Outline
Week 1: Whole Number Foundations
Focus: Building confidence with the basics.
- ✓Place value & Estimation
- ✓The Four Operations
- ✓Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
- ✓Multiplication tables
Week 2: Understanding Fractions
Focus: Demystifying fractions with visuals.
- ✓What a fraction represents
- ✓Equivalent fractions & Simplifying
- ✓Comparing fraction sizes
- ✓Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers
- ✓Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Week 3: The Decimal & Percent Connection
Focus: Seeing parts of a whole in three ways.
- ✓Understanding decimals
- ✓Understanding percents
- ✓Converting between all three forms
Week 4: Operations with Fractions & Decimals
Focus: Applying operations to real-world scenarios.
- ✓Adding & Subtracting fractions
- ✓Multiplying fractions
- ✓All operations with decimals
Week 5: Proportional Reasoning - Ratios & Rates
Focus: Developing a key real-world math skill.
- ✓Ratios for comparison
- ✓Rates (e.g., miles per hour)
- ✓The crucial concept of Unit Rate
- ✓Setting up and solving proportions
- ✓Calculating discounts, tax, and tips
Week 6: The Language of Algebra - Expressions
Focus: Transitioning from arithmetic to algebra.
- ✓Integers (positive & negative numbers)
- ✓The concept of a variable
- ✓Writing & simplifying expressions
Week 7: Solving Equations & The Coordinate Plane
Focus: Finding unknowns and visualizing relationships.
- ✓Solving one- and two-step equations
- ✓Introduction to the coordinate plane
- ✓Plotting points (x, y)