Launching into Pre-Algebra Success (Ages 11–13)
Course Overview
Detailed Curricululm
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- Properties of Arithmetic – Commutative, associative, and distributive properties; order of operations; negative numbers and negation; subtraction; reciprocals and division.
- Exponents – Squares and higher exponents; zero as an exponent; negative exponents; exponent laws; scientific notation.
- Number Theory – Multiples and divisibility tests; prime numbers and prime factorization; least common multiple (LCM); divisors; greatest common divisor (GCD).
- Fractions – Multiplying and dividing fractions; raising fractions to powers; simplest form; comparing fractions; adding and subtracting fractions; mixed numbers.
- Equations and Inequalities – Writing and evaluating expressions; solving one-step and two-step linear equations; translating word problems into equations; solving and graphing inequalities.
- Decimals – Arithmetic with decimals (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division); rounding; converting between decimals and fractions; repeating decimals.
- Ratios, Conversions, and Rates – Understanding ratios; multi-way ratios; proportions and cross-multiplication; unit conversions; speed and distance problems; other rates (density, cost per unit, etc.).
- Percents – Percent of a quantity; percent word problems; percent increase and decrease; compound percent change; applications (tax, discount, tip, interest).
- Mid-Year Exam
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- Square Roots – Perfect squares and square roots; square roots of non-square integers; simplifying square roots; arithmetic with square roots (adding, multiplying, dividing).
- Angles – Measuring angles in degrees; complementary and supplementary angles; vertical angles; parallel lines and transversals (corresponding, alternate interior, alternate exterior angles); angles in polygons (interior and exterior angles).
- Perimeter and Area – Perimeter of polygons; area of rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids; composite figures; problem-solving with area and perimeter.
- Circles – Radius and diameter; circumference of a circle; area of a circle; arc length and sector area; circles and pi (π).
- The Pythagorean Theorem – Understanding the Pythagorean Theorem; applying the theorem to right triangles; Pythagorean triples; distance problems; proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem.
- Quadrilaterals – Properties of parallelograms, rectangles, rhombi, squares, trapezoids, and kites; hierarchy of quadrilaterals; area formulas; problem-solving.
- Statistics – Mean, median, mode, and range; frequency tables and histograms; box-and-whisker plots; stem-and-leaf plots; interpreting data; misleading statistics.
- Counting – Fundamental Counting Principle; permutations; combinations; counting with restrictions; casework and complementary counting.
- Probability – Basic probability; compound events; independent vs. dependent events; probability of “and” and “or”; expected value; geometric probability.
- Data Analysis – Collecting and organizing data; analyzing trends; drawing conclusions; random sampling; making predictions from data.
- Final Exam
Instructor
