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The Journey of Math: Discovering the Past, Shaping The Future

In this 8 week enrichment class we will explore the history of Math to understand its origins and evolution, how it impacts us today through a blend of historical context with interactive activities to keep the kids interested.
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per week
Assignments
1-2 hours per week. The option to read a story or article, watch a movie, short video, hands on activity related to the topic for the week Week 1: Introduction to the History of Mathematics Week 2: Mathematics in Ancient Egypt and Babylon Week 3: Greek Mathematics Week 4: Mathematics in China and India Week 5: Middle Eastern Golden Age Mathematics Week 6: Renaissance Mathematics Week 7: Mathematics in the Age of Enlightenment Week 8: Modern Mathematics and Beyond
Grading
Available upon request

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 8
Beginner Level
Week of 09/03: Introduction to the History of Mathematics

Objective: Understand the origins and evolution of mathematics.

Topics:
Introduction to ancient number systems (Babylonian, Egyptian, Mayan).
The importance of mathematics in early civilizations.

Activities:
Create a timeline of mathematical milestones.
Interactive exploration of ancient number systems through games and puzzles.

Week of 09/17: 

Mathematics in Ancient Egypt and Babylon
Objective: Explore the contributions of Ancient Egypt and Babylon to mathematics.

Topics:
Egyptian fractions and geometry.
Babylonian base-60 number system.

Activities:
Solving problems using Egyptian fractions.
Writing numbers and performing calculations using the Babylonian system.

Week of 09/24:  Greek Mathematics

Objective: Learn about the Greek contributions to mathematics.

Topics:
Pythagoras and his theorem.
Euclid’s "Elements" and geometric principles.

Activities:
Hands-on activities proving the Pythagorean theorem.
Drawing geometric shapes and understanding Euclid’s postulates.

Week of 10/01: Mathematics in Ancient China and India

Objective: Understand the mathematical advancements in Ancient China and India.

Topics:
Chinese arithmetic and the abacus.
Indian numerals and the concept of zero.

Activities:
Using an abacus for basic arithmetic.
Exploring ancient Indian problems and their solutions.

 Week of 10/08: Middle Eastern Golden Age Mathematics

Objective: Discover the mathematical achievements during the Islamic Golden Age.

Topics:
Algebra and algorithms from Al-Khwarizmi.
Contributions to trigonometry and astronomy.

Activities:
Solving basic algebraic equations.
Exploring the use of simple algorithms in daily life.

Week of 10/14: Renaissance Mathematics

Objective: Study the resurgence of mathematical thinking during the Renaissance.

Topics:
Introduction to Fibonacci sequence and its applications.
The development of modern arithmetic and algebra.

Activities:
Fibonacci sequence in nature (art project or study of nature).
Simple algebraic puzzles and problems.

Week 10/21: Mathematics in the Age of Enlightenment

Objective: Examine the role of mathematics during the Enlightenment.

Topics:
Isaac Newton and calculus.
Blaise Pascal and probability.

Activities:
Basic introduction to calculus concepts using motion.
 Simple probability games and experiments.

Week 10/29: Modern Mathematics and Beyond

Objective: Explore contemporary mathematical concepts and their real-world applications.

Topics:
Introduction to set theory and computer science.
Modern mathematical problems and unsolved mysteries.

Activities:
Simple coding exercises and logic puzzles.
Group discussion on current mathematical research and discoveries.

Class Features

Interactive Sessions: Each class will include hands-on activities, group discussions, and multimedia presentations.

Assignments: Weekly assignments to reinforce learning, including creative projects, problem-solving tasks, and mini-research assignments.

Resources: Access to curated online resources, videos, and reading materials to support each week's topic.

Inclusivity: Adapted materials and activities to ensure accessibility for children with ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.
Learning Goals
Learners will have a better understanding of mathematical concepts upon learning it's history helping to build a stronger foundation in Math that assists in tackling more complex  problems later .
learning goal

Other Details

Learning Needs
ASD- Clear, structured routines and visual supports ADHD- Short, engaging activities and frequent breaks Dyslexia- Visual aids, hands-on activities, and audio support
Pre-Requisites
Basic Number Sense
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2024
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! You can call me Mrs. Tiffany and I am so excited to impart my love for learning and knowledge to our young ones. My classes are unique as I am and through experimentation, exploration, and investigation we can gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in which is essential for advancing knowledge and innovation in virtually every area of human endeavor.  Since each learner is different, I use different learning styles to reach and inspire where making mistakes is part of the learning process. Learning can indeed be a challenge and to be able to overcome obstacles and setbacks we must learn perseverance and resilience.

Mathematics has been a favorite subject of mines since I was a child. Although I received formal education in this subject, I have been a lifelong autodidact, a self -taught learner. I just love to learn especially math because it is a valued and important tool in our understanding of the universe. Math is all around us in our buildings, aircrafts, technology, medicine, food, clothing and in nature therefore it is vital that we understand and appreciate it. Too often I hear from children that they hate school and in particular math beginning in kindergarten.  Proficiency in math amongst school age children is low. Why is this happening?  I do not have the answer but perhaps one reason could be student engagement or the lack thereof in particular those considered neurodivergent such as ones diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia or others. I am neurodivergent and so is my 7-year-old son. We experience and learn differently. My son did not do well in the public school setting even though he had an IEP. Academically, my son did not qualify for special education but the regular classroom overwhelmed him. The large number of children in his class, the sound of the toilet constantly flushing, the fire alarm bell that periodically sounded, having to sit still while the teacher gave instruction caused him great anxiety. I thought how could he possibly learn academically if he spent the majority of his time anxious and overstimulated. Therefore, three years ago I began to homeschool him and I have seen a big difference.
My classes are designed to ignite a curiosity and passion for learning by providing an extraordinary experience that utilizes multiple forms of media, hands on activities, as well as movement during lessons creating an interactive and engaging learning environment.  I am sensitive and responsive to the needs of children including ones with learning differences and their parents because I am parent too

I love to teach and for 20+ years I have worked with people of all ages including young ones in the community including ones with disabilities on various topics such as the importance of oral health, English grammar and linguistics, Spanish, and Math. As was previously mentioned, I have been homeschooling my son for the past 3+ years. There have been challenges along the way but by being flexible, adaptable, perseverant, and resilient, empathetic and creative we can be successful and this is my goal for learning and instructing.


1.5 semesters left to complete my studies in Computer Science with a track in Cybersecurity / Applied Mathematics dual degrees from Towson University.  
2021 to present - I worked as a volunteer at the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism, Institute for Well-Being Towson University and in addition I have received continuous training in understanding and supporting neurodivergent children and adults through the Kennedy Kreiger Institute
2021 to present - I started my journey as a homeschool instructor.
10+ years as a self-taught learner of mathematics

I would love to teach the foundation of Math to students. I believe that having a solid foundation to the basics of math is crucial for learning more complex math later on. Math is all around us and we use it every day.  For example, we use math to make decisions such as What is the likelihood that it is going to rain today and should I take an umbrella? What are the reviews for a particular restaurant. What does the data show?  Beginning with Number Sense and learning it conceptually and its application in the real world can greatly help understanding on a deeper level. Math is a broad discipline not solely reliant on calculations, formulas, and rote memorization but on inquiry, deep thought, investigation, exploration, and experimentation. My classes motivate young people to learn with games, discussion, interactive materials, hands on activities, experiments and movement. This is my passion to accompany young one on their journey to learning and understanding and enjoying math. I enjoy seeing people succeed. Their success is my success.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$10

weekly
1x per week
25 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
5-10 learners per class

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