Math
For complete COURSE DESCRIPTIONS, click on Course Title below in chart and/or go to Class Registration
For complete TEXTBOOKS/SUPPLIES, click on Course on Class Registration
For TUTOR BIOGRAPHIES, click on Tutor Name in below chart and/or go to Class Registration
For assistance in choosing the correct class, please see WEST's Class Track Guidelines
Tuition Payments are broken up with two payments for semester classes and four payments for annual classes
MATH | ||||
COURSE TITLE | GRADE | TUTOR | TERM | TUITION |
FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 1 | 5-7 | Love | Full Year | $375 |
FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 2 | 5-7 | Love | Full Year | $375 |
Personal Finance | 9-12 | Berg | Fall | $180 |
Saxon 7/6 see below for FAQs |
6-9 | Sands | Full Year | $380 |
Saxon 8/7 see below for FAQs |
7-10 | Sands | Full Year | $380 |
Saxon Algebra 1/2 see below for FAQs |
7-10 | Sands | Full Year | $380 |
Saxon Algebra 1 - IN PERSON or ONLINE see below for FAQs |
8-12 | Sands | Full Year Plus 3 Zoom Wks |
$400 |
Saxon Algebra 2 - IN PERSON or ONLINE see below for FAQs |
9-12 | Sands |
Full Year |
$400 |
Geometry (Alpha Omega) see below for FAQs |
9-12 | Sands | Full Year | $380 |
Pre-Calculus | 10-12 | Leibig | Full Year | $380 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 1
This course is an excellent choice for students who need more practice with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and/or who have gaps in their basic math skills. We will combine fun, challenging, and hands-on classroom activities with workbook based homework to prepare fifth through seventh grade students to become fluid with multi-digit multiplication and division. This is year one of a stand-alone math program offered at two levels over two years. We will incorporate games, practice, puzzles, mental math, and regular concept review to gain mastery of math skills. Everything your student needs for the class will be provided by the tutor.
Prerequisite: Students should have mastered all addition and subtraction facts, plus be familiar with basic multiplication and division facts
Placement Test: To be sure of correct placement, please have your student complete the Saxon placement test labeled Saxon 5/4-Algebra 1/2. Email scans of the completed test (including paper that shows the student's work) to the tutor. It is available here: https://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool/math/saxon-math?search=saxon%20math%2076
If the test recommends Saxon 5/4, your student would likely best fit in FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 1. If the test recommends Saxon 6/5, your student would best fit in FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 2.
FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 2
This course will cover the topics of fractions, decimals, percent, ratio, factors, mean, median, mode, measurement, volume, and solving for the unknown. We will review multi-digit multiplication and division, and solve multi-step word problems that involve several operations. This is year two of a stand-alone math program offered at two levels over two years. Mrs. Love will incorporate games, practice, puzzles, mental math, and regular concept review to gain mastery of math skills. We will combine fun, challenging, and hands-on classroom activities with workbook based homework to prepare fifth through seventh grade students for algebra, to use math in real life, and to succeed in high school math courses. Students who complete this class in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade should be ready for Saxon Math 7/6. This course is an excellent choice for students who need more practice with multi-digit multiplication and division, and/or who have gaps in their basic math skills. Everying your student needs for the class will be provided by the tutor.
Prerequisite: FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 1 is NOT required, but students should have mastered basic multiplication and division facts
Placement Test: To be sure of correct placement, please have your student complete the Saxon placement test labeled Saxon 5/4-Algebra 1/2. It is available here: https://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool/math/saxon-math?search=saxon%20math%2076
If the test recommends Saxon 5/4, your student would best fit in FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 1. If the test recommends Saxon 6/5, your student would best fit in FUNctional Middle School Math - Level 2.
Personal Finance
Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance curriculum will guide the content of the class.This curriculum emphasizes life application while teaching money principles that will change students' lives forever. They'll learn how to pay cash for their first car, gradute from college debt-free, and give in generous and meaningful ways. Saving, budgeting, debt, consumer awareness, bargain shopping, investing, retirement, insurance, money and relationships, careers, and taxes are presented in ways that are both practical and entertaining.
Grades will be based on classroom participation and completion of homework.
- Personal Finance is an elective, not a math course.
Pre-Calculus
This class is designed to teach the concepts and skills necessary for students to succeed in calculus and in disciplines that are mathematically based, such as chemistry and physics. It is an in-depth coverage of trigonometry, logarithms, analytic geometry, and upper-level algebraic concepts. Pre-Calculus is a solid foundation for further math classes in higher education.
The basics will be covered in this class as well as lessons determined by the needs and interests of the students who enroll.
Class time will be spent learning new material, answering homework questions, working individually and in small groups, and enjoying one another.
Saxon 76
Lessons go beyond the topics of arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimal fractions, common fractions, etc.) to include the higher foundational topics of mathematics. Negative numbers, finding averages, changing percents to decimals, finding area and volume, geometry, measurement, algebra, scale and graph reading are among the topics covered. Five lessons will be covered in class each week. Tests will be assigned about every other week.
Saxon 87
Saxon Math 87 builds upon the principles taught in Saxon Math 76. In Math 87, students will review arithmetic, measurements, geometry, ratios, probability, and statistics. Students will specifically learn about operations with fractions, equivalent fractions, the metric system, repeating decimals, scientific notation, Pi, graphing inequalities, multiplying algebraic terms, the Pythagorean Theorem, the slope-intercept form of linear equations, and more.
Saxon Math 87 and Saxon Algebra 1/2 are both pre-algebra courses. Students who complete Math 87 with scores of 80% or greater on the first attempt on the last few tests, and are at least 14 years old, are probably ready for Algebra 1. If a student needs another year of math before Algebra 1, Algebra 1/2 can be taken between Math 87 and Algebra 1.
Saxon Algebra 1/2
An introduction to algebra that includes geometry. Topics covered include prime and composite numbers, fractions and decimals, order of operations, coordinates, exponents, square roots, ratios, algebraic phrases, probability, the Pythagorean Theorem, and more.
Saxon Algebra 1
Algebra 1 is a formal treatment of algebra forming the foundation for future math study. Topics include signed numbers, exponents and roots, absolute value, area and volume, equations and inequalities, scientific notations, unit conversions, polynomials, graphs, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, direct and inverse variations, exponential growth, statistics, and probability. For most students success in Algebra 1 requires a significant time commitment.
NOTE: Full Year, Plus 3 additional weeks via zoom
Saxon Algebra 2
Traditional, second-year algebra topics, as well as a full semester of informal geometry, are included with both real-world, abstract, and interdisciplinary applications. Topics include geometric concepts, negative exponents, quadratic equations, metric conversions, logarithms, and advanced factoring. For most students success in Algebra 2 requires a significant time commitment.
NOTE: Full Year, Plus 3 additional weeks via zoom
Geometry (Alpha Omega)
A complete course of high school geometry including proofs, angles, parallels, congruency, similarity, circles, construction, area, volume, logic, and an introduction to trigonometry. Students will also be required to memorize vocabulary, theorems, and postulates.
Since the only key available is also a solutions manual which includes the test keys, parents should plan to score student work on a daily basis.
What are the three most important things to consider in insuring student success in math?
Placement. Placement. Placement. Please consider carefully which class will fit your student’s needs the best. Class descriptions include prerequisites and a link to a placement test if one is available. If you have any questions about placement, please contact me through the WEST website. Use the contact button at the top right corner to email any member of the WEST Team who will forward your message to me.
How important are basic math facts?
For all of Jan Sands’ math classes, mastery of basic math facts is a prerequisite. Since classes include more advanced concepts and skills, knowing basic facts is a must. When students have mastered basic facts, they can focus on solving more complicated problems. If they have not mastered the basis facts, brain power is used to find answers to basic facts and is not available for solving the problem at hand.
How do Jan Sands’ math classes at WEST work?
Each week classes cover 3-5 lessons. Most lessons will be covered in class. Some lessons will be presented by recorded video. Homework is assigned. Students spend time 4-5 days per week on homework and tests at home. Lessons are scored by students or parents. Students make corrections. Tests are completed at home and handed in without scoring.
What is my role in math success?
Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, time management, and communication with Mrs. Sands. Parents should check with their student and with Mrs. Sands as often as needed to help students stay on track.
What if I have a question?
Between classes, if a student is struggling with a lesson or a problem, he or she is encouraged to email Mrs. Sands for help. In general, students who frequently ask for help by email get better grades and learn more. Students are expected to email their questions. If necessary, parents should email on behalf of their students.
What happens when I email for help?
Mrs. Sands sends help in one of the following forms:
- Email: sometimes a quick answer is sufficient
- PDF: Mrs. Sands will make a colorful pdf document showing how to solve the problem. The pdf will be emailed.
- Educreations video: Mrs. Sands will make a whiteboard video demonstrating how to solve the problematic problem. A link to the video will be emailed.
How do I know what the homework is?
- Each class has a syllabus that shows when lessons, tests, and other assignments are due. Classes will occasionally stray from the syllabus.
- Students will be reminded of the homework each week in class. Usually, lessons started in class are the lessons due the following week.
- Go to jansands.com on Thursdays after 12 PM to find a post that lists the homework for each class. Subscribe and get blog posts delivered to your email inbox.
- Follow Mrs. Sands on Facebook. Find “Jan Sands” with a profile picture of a calculator. Blog posts that list the week’s homework will show up on Facebook.
How’s my child doing in math?
Shortly after classes start in September, access information for Mrs. Sands’ online grade book will be sent to each parental email address. Go to trackmygrades.com, use the access information, and you’ll be able to see your child’s current grade and list of assignments. Students may email me to request access to the gradebook.