590

for 12 classes

Algebra for Future Scientists (Part 5 Of 5)

Completed by 12 learners

Ages 9-14

Live Group Course

Complete all of Algebra I and Algebra II in one year with a more efficient ordering of the curriculum

Thatcher Collins

Average rating:

4.7

Number of reviews:

(337 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 12 weeks

3-9 learners per class

90 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What’s included

12 live meetings

18 in-class hours

Homework

1 hour per week. Practice tests to find gaps in understanding, things to work on.

Assessment

A final comprehensive test that simultaneously review the content of this class and serves to demonstrate proficiency in Algebra.

Class Experience

Inspired by the freedom of Outschool to chart our own course, we will cover all of Algebra I and II in one year (there is a lot of overlap),  and include amazing subjects like solving cubic equations.

Originally, Algebra I was designed as a terminal course for people who may never take another math course. Algebra II was designed as a harder version of the same material for students who were college bound. But I agree with some independent educators that Algebra I and II can be combined into a single course. This means a more thorough foundation at the beginning than a typical Algebra I class. 

Incidentally, one of the best math teachers I had in high school accelerated the schedule of the class material then reserved a portion of the class for substantial review, practice exams, and extra help. To give you an idea, we completed every single publicly released AP Calculus exam (e.g. as homework or in class) before we ever sat down for the actual AP exam. 

That's why the last section (F) will be mostly review using different word problems, different challenges, and new combinations.

Schedule: by arrangement

Learning Goals

Overview of Algebra techniques reviewed through word problems and applications. Additionally, learn advanced techniques for higher order problems  (categorization with logic, logarithms, and linear interpolation); these techniques are great because they are serve as a review of the standard tools of Algebra.

Syllabus

12 Lessons

over 12 Weeks

Lesson 1:

General Theorems for Higher-Order Problems

 Rational Root Theorem, Remainder Theorem, Factor Theorem, Conjugate Root Theorem, and Descartes Rule of Signs

90 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Cubic Equations

 Applying the theorems to 3rd order polynomial equations

90 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Logarithms Rules

 Similar to exponent rules; lots of practice, including the use of a calculator or a table

90 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Rate/Time Problems

 Including Wind/Water Problems and vehicle-route problems

90 mins online live lesson

Other Details

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Thatcher Collins

Joined August, 2020

4.7

337reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

My goal is to help students make the transition from the arithmetic and memorization stage into the analytical problem solving stage, thereby setting a solid foundation for all further scientific work. Thus, my courses will focus exclusively on: Algebra, Geometry, Logic and the open source Computer Science Unplugged curriculum. Knowing the growing importance of programming in all technical disciplines, I plan to incorporate some advanced ideas that are within reach, e.g. floating point arithmetic and using Algebra to track units of measure.

I was very lucky to have an extraordinary elementary, middle and high school math education. I received a BS in Mathematics from Western Washington University, which included courses in the Moore Method, one of the original "flipped classroom" styles. Currently, I am a part-time MS student in Applied Mathematics at the University of Washington. I recently taught math games, CS Unplugged, Logic, and other activities to the 4th graders at my kids' school, so I've had a chance to practice with this age group.

 I will offer a year-long course covering all of Algebra I and Algebra II (these courses have a lot of overlap so this is not as hard as it sounds). Algebra will be initially offered week-to-week so that students can be sure that my style of teaching works for them.

And In my picture I'm playing a cowbell.