Math Class Descriptions
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Compass Kindergarten: Math Minds (Sem 2)
Quarter 3,4: Starts on January 15, 2025
Class Time: 10:00 am Duration: 175 min
Instructor: Danielle Mercadal
Grade Range: K
Prerequisites: See class decription for skills needed
Can your child sit in a circle for story time? Line up for lunch? Take turns talking? This one-day, 3-hour (half-day) program is a "taste" of kindergarten for 5- year-olds. Start your child's week off right with "Mornings with Miss M" at Compass Kindergarten. Children will work in a small group with an experienced early elementary educator for this dynamic, play-based program that offers regular interaction and socialization.
This fun, activity-based program will create rhythm and routine in a homeschooled kindergartner's week and give them a sense of community and a peer group. Children will practice routines and transitions as they move through the morning. Each session will include some simple structure such as a daily arrival song/greeting, circle time, story, snack time, activity, lunch, active game, and closing/goodbyes. Through games and activities, they will also practice key childhood social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and entering play with others. Academic basics such as the ABCs, days of the week, colors, shapes, and number sense will be integrated into activities involving fairy tales, nature and art. The teacher will provide ideas for parents to work on at home with their child during the week.
Compass Kindergarten is offered in three weekly sessions: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Registration is stand-alone for each day so parents can register for one, two, or all three. While each kindergarten class will give children the opportunities for learning and playing in a social environment along with classroom routines, each of the three days will focus on a particular area of study and discovery of how each is connected.
On Wednesdays, the focus will be on Math where students will be exposed to basic mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, skip counting, ordinal numbers, and time through stories and play.
Readiness Students must be age five (5) by the start of the program or have the teacher's approval for younger. To be successful in this program, entering kindergartners must be able to do the following preschool-level skills: (1) be able to separate from parents with little discomfort; (2) be able to sit and listen to a story or stay on a task for 10 minutes; (3) be able to follow simple, age-appropriate directions from the teacher or another adult; (4) be able to write and recognize his/her first name; (5) be able to hold and use crayons and scissors correctly; (6) be completely self sufficient in a public restroom (wiping, flushing, washing hands, etc.)
Other Notes:
- Children should bring a bagged lunch and water bottle to each session.
- There is a $50.00 material fee for class consumables due payable to the teacher on the first day of class.
- Parents can choose to drop children off for this program (different than Compass's school-year policies for 55 minute classes.)
- Registration for this program is by 16-week semester with priority registration for continuing students.
- Parents who are shopping around or applying to alternate kindergarten programs should review the Compass withdrawal policy.
Cracking Codes, Cryptology for Kids: Secret Agents
Quarter 2: Starts on October 24, 2024
Class Time: 1:00 pm Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn the language of undercover agents in this children's cryptology class. Cryptology is the science of secret writing which uses math and logical reasoning to decode and create mystery alphabets. Each week, students will learn one or more ciphers and will practice using them to decode messages and write secret messages to each other!
Student agents will continue their undercover operations by learning Morse code and sending messages with maritime flags. Students will learn about Vigenere ciphers and Affine ciphers. The quarter will culminate in a collaboration to crack a variety of codes to flee a classroom Escape Room which may include challenges such as coded letters, picture clues, mirror image writings, puzzling word searches, and cryptograms. We will also share the stories of famous writers and code-crackers like Lewis and Clark. This quarter's ciphers will include an introduction to the math concepts of prime numbers and basic multiplication.
Topics in the Series: Spies (Quarter 1), Secret Agents (Quarter 2), Sleuths (Quarter 3), and Superheroes (Quarter 4).
Cracking Codes, Cryptology for Kids: Sleuths
Quarter 3: Starts on January 16, 2025
Class Time: 1:00 pm Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn the language of undercover agents in this children's cryptology class. Cryptology is the science of secret writing which uses math and logical reasoning to decode and create mystery alphabets. Each week, students will learn one or more ciphers and will practice using them to decode messages and write secret messages to each other!
Student sleuths will continue their undercover operations with all-new codes such as the Atbash Cipher, Running Key Cipher, and Four-Square Cipher. Students will also learn about fingerprinting, a key clue to real sleuths solving crimes and will mix and test an invisible ink that can only be read under a black light. The quarter will culminate in a collaboration to crack a variety of codes to flee a classroom Escape Room which may include challenges such as coded letters, picture clues, mirror image writings, puzzling word searches, and cryptograms.
Topics in the Series: Spies (Quarter 1), Secret Agents (Quarter 2), Sleuths (Quarter 3), and Superheroes (Quarter 4).
Cracking Codes, Cryptology for Kids: Superheroes
Quarter 4: Starts on March 20, 2025
Class Time: 1:00 pm Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn the language of undercover agents in this children's cryptology class. Cryptology is the science of secret writing which uses math and logical reasoning to decode and create mystery alphabets. Each week, students will learn one or more ciphers and will practice using them to decode messages and write secret messages to each other!
Student will learn to covert communications and get a glimpse of the secret operations of their favorite superheroes with all-new codes. Using Marvel and DC characters as the backstories to new ciphers, students will learn codes such as Superman's invisible ink and Batman's code that can only be revealed with a cave black light. Who can resist figuring out the ciphers of Joker's riddles or the undercover codes of Hawkeye and Black Widow? The quarter will culminate in a collaboration to crack a variety of codes to flee a classroom Escape Room which may include challenges such as coded letters, picture clues, mirror image writings, puzzling word searches, and cryptograms.
Topics in the Series: Spies (Quarter 1), Secret Agents (Quarter 2), Sleuths (Quarter 3), and Superheroes (Quarter 4).
Supply Fee Included.
Mental Math Fun: Brain Blast
Quarter 3: Starts on January 16, 2025
Class Time: 10:00 am Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 5th-6th
Prerequisites: None
Students will tackle a variety of puzzles, games, and riddles each week that will develop their critical thinking, logic, math reasoning, and problem-solving skills while having loads of fun in class! Hands-on activities may use cards, dice, coins, cubes, toothpicks, math board games, math card games, and of course, lots of numbers. Every activity is in essence a math problem, and students will learn tips and techniques for tackling the challenges.
For each new puzzle, game, and riddle, students will learn concepts and strategies that they can apply to solving ANY math challenge, such as: the phases of solving a problem, what to do when you get stuck, how to make predictions, how to generalize from specific cases, and what questions to ask yourself. Example activities include the game of Thirty One, logic grids, cryptograms, and deduction games. Through these weekly activities, students will learn that math isn't just something done at a desk with pencil and paper, but is present everywhere you look, and that the ability to think mathematically can be not only useful, but also fun!
Students can take this class each quarter as a different selection of puzzles, games, and activities will be introduced each session. Topics in this series include: Brain Games (Quarter 1), Brain Teasers (Quarter 2), Brain Blast (Quarter 3), and Brain Busters (Quarter 4).
Mental Math Fun: Brain Busters
Quarter 4: Starts on March 20, 2025
Class Time: 10:00 am Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 5th-6th
Prerequisites: None
Students will tackle a variety of puzzles, games, and riddles each week that will develop their critical thinking, logic, math reasoning, and problem-solving skills while having loads of fun in class! Hands-on activities may use cards, dice, coins, cubes, toothpicks, math board games, math card games, and of course, lots of numbers. Every activity is in essence a math problem, and students will learn tips and techniques for tackling the challenges.
For each new puzzle, game, and riddle, students will learn concepts and strategies that they can apply to solving ANY math challenge, such as: the phases of solving a problem, what to do when you get stuck, how to make predictions, how to generalize from specific cases, and what questions to ask yourself. Example activities include the game of Thirty One, logic grids, cryptograms, and deduction games. Through these weekly activities, students will learn that math isn't just something done at a desk with pencil and paper, but is present everywhere you look, and that the ability to think mathematically can be not only useful, but also fun!
Students can take this class each quarter as a different selection of puzzles, games, and activities will be introduced each session. Topics in this series include: Brain Games (Quarter 1), Brain Teasers (Quarter 2), Brain Blast (Quarter 3), and Brain Busters (Quarter 4).
Mental Math Fun: Brain Teasers
Quarter 2: Starts on October 24, 2024
Class Time: 10:00 am Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 5th-6th
Prerequisites: None
Students will tackle a variety of puzzles, games, and riddles each week that will develop their critical thinking, logic, math reasoning, and problem-solving skills while having loads of fun in class! Hands-on activities may use cards, dice, coins, cubes, toothpicks, math board games, math card games, and of course, lots of numbers. Every activity is in essence a math problem, and students will learn tips and techniques for tackling the challenges.
For each new puzzle, game, and riddle, students will learn concepts and strategies that they can apply to solving ANY math challenge, such as: the phases of solving a problem, what to do when you get stuck, how to make predictions, how to generalize from specific cases, and what questions to ask yourself. Example activities include the game of Thirty One, logic grids, cryptograms, and deduction games. Through these weekly activities, students will learn that math isn't just something done at a desk with pencil and paper, but is present everywhere you look, and that the ability to think mathematically can be not only useful, but also fun!
Students can take this class each quarter as a different selection of puzzles, games, and activities will be introduced each session. Topics in this series include: Brain Games (Quarter 1), Brain Teasers (Quarter 2), Brain Blast (Quarter 3), and Brain Busters (Quarter 4).
Number Ninjas: Fun with Fractions
Quarter 4: Starts on March 20, 2025
Class Time: 11:00 am Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 1st-2nd
Prerequisites: None
Does your child learn best by hands-on activities, crafts, games, and stories? Number Ninjas is based on the belief that children need to work with mathematics in a concrete, physical, and tangible way in order to learn fundamental concepts. Young students will love learning numerical concepts in this interactive, exploration-based class where work with numbers feels like a game.
Fourth quarter, students will discover what a fraction means. Students will physically separate the "whole" into equal parts and look at fractions as parts of a set. Students will learn tips to create drawings with fractional parts and will make play dough models.
This class covers many of the 1st and 2nd grade Standards of Learning for math. Weekly update e-mails to parents will include suggestions for practice at home and extension activities.
Topics in the Series: Play with Place Value (Quarter 1), Measurement Madness (Quarter 2), Super Shapes (Quarter 3), and Fun with Fractions (Quarter 4).
Number Ninjas: Super Shapes
Quarter 3: Starts on January 16, 2025
Class Time: 11:00 am Duration: 55 min
Instructor: Becca Sticha
Grade Range: 1st-2nd
Prerequisites: None
Does your child learn best by hands-on activities, crafts, games, and stories? Number Ninjas is based on the belief that children need to work with mathematics in a concrete, physical, and tangible way in order to learn fundamental concepts. Young students will love learning numerical concepts in this interactive, exploration-based class where work with numbers feels like a game.
Third quarter, students will dive into geometry by creating plane figures and sorting them according to the number of sides, vertices, and angles. We will complete symmetrical pictures with pattern blocks and drawings. Students will compare and sort 2-D and 3-D shapes using everyday objects. We will build a in-class projects featuring shapes.
This class covers many of the 1st and 2nd grade Standards of Learning for math. Weekly update e-mails to parents will include suggestions for practice at home and extension activities.
Topics in the Series: Play with Place Value (Quarter 1), Measurement Madness (Quarter 2), Super Shapes (Quarter 3), and Fun with Fractions (Quarter 4).
Semi-Private: Algebra I Part 2/Geometry
Quarter 3,4: Starts on January 13, 2025
Class Time: 10:00 am Duration: 55 min
Instructor: David Chelf
Grade Range: 5th-6th
Prerequisites: None
This is a semi-private section for students with permission of Compass and the Instructor.
This is continuing course in high school Algebra I and introduction to Geometry covering concepts in mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. This course is designed to continue the study of algebraic problem-solving with the incorporation of real-world applications. Part 1 topics in Algebra I will be reviewed such as number systems, linear systems, rational numbers, complex numbers, exponents, roots, and radicals. Algebra I, Part 2 topics including quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, absolute values, ratios, and proportions will be covered first semester. The course will review and expand on solving and graphing systems of functions, linear equations, and inequalities.
Second semester, students will begin an introduction to Geometry covering lines, angles, congruence, concurrence, inequalities, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, transformations, area, similarity, right triangles, circles, regular polygons, and geometric solids. Geometric proofs will not be included. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem-solving.
Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in pre-algebra and Algebra I, part 1 in order to take this class.
Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-1.5 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 7-day cycle, with assignments posted on Thursdays and due the following Thursday. Students are advised to start homework once it is assigned (i.e., not wait until the night before it is due). Weekly homework assignments will be of a length that a student should be able to complete them in two or three at-home work sessions. Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of their work.
Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload.
Assessments: Student progress will be assessed by: (1) The instructor checking that weekly homework sets are attempted and complete and (2) detailed grading of periodic take-home tests. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. See the instructor's webpage for detailed homework and test policy, including late work and re-work.
Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul A. Foerster. It is available in a few different editions, each of which is virtually identical: 2nd edition (ISBN-10 020125073X, ISBN-13 978-0201250732), 3rd edition (ISBN-10 0201860945, ISBN-13 978-0201860948), and Classic edition (ISBN-10 020132458X, ISBN-13 978-0201324587). It is also available under the title Foerster Algebra I, Classics edition (ISBN-10 0131657089, ISBN-13 978-0131657083). A calculator is not needed for this course.
Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra I for purposes of a high school transcript.
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