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Professor Kitty's Pre-Algebra | Trimester 1 of a 3-Semester Course with Extra Pr

This is the first half of a full school-year Pre-Algebra course for a grade. Classes are taught live twice a week, and additional practice problems, in-depth explanations and assessments assigned each week.
Professor Kitty BS ChemE-UVa; MBA-Case Western
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(403)
Popular
Class

What's included

18 live meetings
9 in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Homework should not take more than an hour and a half a week. These are simply to use the Nearpod practice problems and quizzes.
Assessment
Letter grades are available upon request. These will be based on participation, test results, and the teacher's observations in class.
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 8
The price shown is the Early Bird Pricing offered during spring! It will only go to the first few students who enroll!  This course has been taught by Teacher Kitty for several repeated semesters and years.

This is a Pre-Algebra middle school / high school math course. Specifically, this course covers the first half of the complete Pre-Algebra course. Upon completion, learners will be ready to take the second part of this class.

Pre-Algebra prepares learners for high school algebra and beyond by introducing integers, fractions, square roots, step equations, linear equations and decimals. Students learn how to solve basic equations using variables. 

This course covers the first half of Pre-Algebra or- if you are looking at the graphic -  the same content as the Golly! I Did it! and half of the Way-2-Go! I Aced it! ongoing courses, but with the purpose of following the rubrics of a course for a grade.  The model for this course is assessment based and moves rapidly based on the student being "a lifter" in that the student is expected to carry the ball between classes with adherence to homework and assigned assessments. Students may, on occasion, sign up for one of the ongoing classes which allows more class time per topic. You will notice these will always be available and easy to calibrate to where the topics are in this course. 

For this course, here is a week by week agenda:

Week	1	:	Place Value, Rounding, and Regrouping (L1 1.1-2)
Week	2	:	X Value and Order of Operations (L1 2.1-2)
Week	3	:	Negative Numbers, opposites, Absolute Values  (L1 3.1-2)
Week	4	:	Arithmetic Properties and Rational numbers (L1 4.1-2)
Week	5	:	Divisibility Tests 1 & Prime Factorization and Factor Trees (L2 1.1-2)
Week	6	:	Least Common Multiple and Greatest Common Factor
Week	7	:	Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing Negatives
Week	8	:	Evaluating Expressions and Word Problems
Week	9	:	One Step Equations and Inequalities

It's important to understand that I teach to mastery. I will teach each concept thoroughly and take the time to address questions and make sure I assess each learner and whether they are tracking with the topics.  I will be available to help students who need additional support.  I will, on occasion, support a student who is struggling and has already tried slowing down the recording of the class and working towards a better understanding.  If all of efforts on mine and the student's parts hasn't brought the student to mastery, I will suggest supplementary classes to help the student grasp the content. I want to make sure no one gets left behind.

Grades (upon request by parents):
I will have a homework assignment for each class.  They won't be long, so I expect all of these to be completed and submitted once a week by Sunday midnight for credit towards the homework portion of the learner's grade should the family decide they are wanting the option of a grade.  If a student continues to not participate in grade producing deliverables, I will communicate to the parents and if the assignments are not turned in, eventually the option for a grade will be forfeited.

I will have unit tests.  Mastery is extraordinarily important to me, so I will compare the grades the student gets on a test with the level of participation and whether I notice the student seems to understand the material.  

What to expect during a lesson: 
Each lesson will operate this way.

Ahead of the lesson, I will introduce what the students will be learning and start with what they know.  I'll send a short homework assignment which the learners must turn in (take a picture and upload).  These homework will be the launch of the lesson. I'll teach the concept for 10 minutes and then we will take turns with I do, We do, You do. 

I will then review all concepts learned and check in with the students on their learning. I will finish with an intro to the next lesson as well as the homework assignment for the week:

Some class policies:

A - Students who are not able to make class have access to the recordings.

B - I adjust each lesson according to the needs to the learners, so if most students need additional time on a topic I'll take that time. Making sure we accomplish coverage and mastery of all topics will require me to stay on schedule, so if additional time is needed, I will suggest students to sign up for my available supplemental Algebra classes and tutoring sessions.  I have a strong reputation of moving students successfully through the topics to mastery so I don't anticipate that supplementary classes are needed, but I want families to be aware that these are available and effective tools for their learners' success.

C - The group dynamics and interaction between leaners and the teacher are critical to a successful class.  If learners do not arrive in class according to Outschool's standard for a viable participation (10 minutes), I will leave the classroom, according to Outschool's policy.

D - Test submissions will be done using scanned images as well as in class impromptu verbal assessments.

E - On occasion, I might go over the set duration of the class in order to make sure the students are reaching mastery level on their concepts.  I understand that many families book their time under tight schedules, and I am not at all bothered if the student needs to leave the classroom right at the end of the assigned class window.  Simply ask your learner to leave a message in the chat so that I'm aware they are leaving.
Learning Goals
At the end of this semester portion of Pre-Algebra, students will be able to say, " I know how to do all operations necessary with integers. I understand the number system and how add and subtract and multiply and divide negative numbers.  I can factor a number down to the prime factors and I can look at a number and easily spot whether it's divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10." "I can find the greatest common factor and the least common multiple."
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Math skills at a lower-middle school level are expected. Students should be familiar with multiplication facts and addition and subtraction facts.
Supply List
Paper, pencil and a great attitude and willingness to encourage fellow learners and participate. Calculators are not needed.
 1 file available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
5.0
403reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
South Carolina Teaching Certificate
South Carolina Teaching Certificate in Science
South Carolina Teaching Certificate in Mathematics
Master's Degree from Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Virginia
After my career in industry as a chemical engineer and management consultant, I got my certification to teach math and business in the public schools for  middle and high schools. I received additional certified training for gifted and talented learners. I taught math for sixteen years and I've been a personal SAT tutor for eight years. My students have typically raised their scores between 100 and 300 points.  As a chemical engineer and project management professional in the world of business consulting and information technology consulting, I've completed over five levels of college calculus and applied mathematics and used these math and computing skills throughout my career.  

The students I have taught had varying learning abilities that ranged from one with pronounced learning disabilities to gifted and talented. When it came to PSAT's and SAT's, each of them with impressive improvements in their scores. 

It can be done!  I used a focused approach. We honed in on trouble areas, really understood the underlying math concept, and drilled for mastery.  

Rest assured, students finish my classes and turn to their parents and say, "I finally get it!"  Here are some reviews from classes here on Outschool to show what I mean...

From CT - 
Love this teacher! My kids are requesting more of her classes. Thank you teacher Kitty! 
Energetic and patient teacher. I accidentally signed up my younger son with his older brother and she made the class interesting for both of them and they asked to join another class of teacher Kitty.  Thank you !

From William-
Wonderful class. The class speed was just right, and our daughter was able to follow along relatively well. She benefited greatly from this opportunity to reinforce her understanding the solving quadratic equations. Thanks!!!

From Dillon-
This the second linear equation class my son took from Teacher Kitty.  My son felt he learned a lot on this subject and took very useful notes, and gained a lot more confidence than when he just started learning it.  

From Mary -
I am really pleased that our first lesson at Outschool was such a fantastic one. Kitty is really good and my son loved that he could understand her clearly (initially worried as he is not American or in America ) I observed that she really took her time to explain terminologies and she gave the class more time to really grasp the lesson. My shy son eventually came out of his shell and contributed to the class. We are looking forward to more classes with her.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$214

for 18 classes
2x per week, 9 weeks
30 min

Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
6-12 learners per class

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