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Fundamentals for Pre-Algebra is a math class typically taken before Pre-Algebra to prepare your student for success in Pre-Algebra. It is normally taken in 7th grade.
This course will cover topics such as exploring rational numbers within the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), introduction to algebraic and linear expressions, equations and inequalities, ratios, proportions, percents, probability, statistics and geometry concepts. While students will learn the “step-by-step” methods of solving equations, they will also be given real world math problems and use reasoning & logic to make conjectures. This is a rigorous course that will leave your student set up for success in higher level math classes.
All Excelsior math instructors will be utilizing Big Ideas Math curriculum written by Ron Larson, Ph.D. and Laurie Boswell, Ed.D. This material will prepare students for upper level and college math classes. Students will have access to a digital platform that has many tools to facilitate learning. The digital user license is included in your course deposit. The material Excelsior Classes math classes will use is not common core aligned.
Parents and students can expect weekly homework assignments, weekly quizzes, chapter tests, and cumulative fall and spring semester tests. There will also be two or three math projects that allow students to use their creativity to show mastery of a concept.
This class meets twice per week. Each meeting is 60 minutes. Regular, live attendance is strongly advised. Recordings are available if a class is missed or there is a conflict with another course. Students should watch the recording as soon as possible.
PLACEMENT EXAM REQUIREMENT
Before registering, math students new to Excelsior Classes math courses and wanting to enroll must take a placement exam.
These students should take the Fundamentals for Pre-Algebra Readiness Assessment. While this course is typically completed in the 6th or 7th grade, ability to do the work is more important than age or grade. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure students are well placed in Fundamentals for Pre-Algebra. Scan the completed assessment, including all scratch work and send to susanspraker@
excelsiorclasses.com. The assessment will be graded and Mrs. Spraker will make the appropriate recommendations for placement in the Excelsior mathematics program.
Special Note 1: If you register for the course prior to receiving teacher feedback and decide to withdraw from the course, the deposit remains non-refundable. The deposit is transferable to another math course or another course for the current school year.
Special Note 2: As in all Excelsior Classes courses, math class instruction is tied to the curated syllabus, and the teacher will teach to the syllabus and not to a particular skill set of a student. In other words, the teacher cannot sacrifice content and expectations overall for an individual student as we need to stay in alignment with educational goals, class participant expectations, and NCAA approval of our courses.
Included in registration is the ebook for the text below. Excelsior Classes distributes the licenses for digital access.
Big Ideas Math – Modeling Real Life Grade 7 – Larson & Boswell – Samples may be viewed here and here.
A physical textbook is available but not required. It may be acquired on the second hand market. Please contact your teacher for more specifics on ISBN number.
Susan Spraker believes that each person has unlimited capacity to learn in their own unique way. It is her passion to lead students toward their own learning style in order for each to grow, to find their calling, and to excel. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with certification in K-8th grade. She has experience in various private and public elementary school environments. For the past eight years, her main role has been homeschool teacher for her children.
Stani P –
Mrs. Spaker’s style of teaching made the class challenging and fun for my son. This was our first time homeschooling and Excelsior classes was God send. We have two children that will be taking her class next year.
Jessica W. –
Mrs. Spraker is an absolute delight! There is really no way I could teach math above elementary level, and this course was perfect in giving me peace of mind during our homeschool journey. I was able to be pretty hands off as Mrs. Spraker provides her students so much support. Honestly, this class helped my student with confidence in math too.