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	Math Classes for Homeschoolers Open Path Homeschooling's workshops and multi-session classes teach math concepts and skills to children ages 5-15. Hands-on mathematical explorations and problem-solving tasks are designed to engage a variety of learning modes. New classes can be formed based on parent suggestions, so contact Open Path Homeschooling to request a specific topic or age range. Topics could include number sense, place value, patterns, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, probability, statistics and graphing, geometry, decimals, money, pre-algebra, and algebra. Current Offerings: Multiplication and Division Explorations, ages 7-9   Past Offerings: Exploring Geometry, ages 7-9 Fraction Action, ages 7-9 Beyond the Numbers: Playful Math Investigations for Ages 5-7 Geometry Investigations, ages 10-13 Early Math Exploration Workshop, ages 4-6 Investigations in Pre-Algebra and Geometry, ages 10-13

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Multiplication and Division Explorations, Ages 7-9

What are all the possible dimensions of a rectangular box made to fit 24 1-inch square pieces of candy? What items in the world around us come in groups of 2, 3, 4, etc.? How could 4 children share 22 strawberries fairly? Through engaging problem solving situations, hands-on investigations, and games, this class helps children develop multiplication and division concepts and skills. Activities will build on what children already know about numbers and mathematics. We'll look at when to use multiplication and division and how they're related to each other and to addition and subtraction. Children will use hands-on manipulative materials and drawing to represent mathematical situations, which will help to create a visual model for understanding multiplication. They will develop a familiarity with the basic "facts" through using them in a variety of situations. There will be suggested activities that children and parents can do at home to extend and practice the skills learned in class. 

6 Wednesdays 4/2-5/14 (skipping 4/23), 10:30-12:00
Grassroots Homeschool Coop, Montpelier
$80 ($70 for Grassroots members) -– $40 due by 3/19, remainder due by 4/16

Please contact Rebecca to inquire about openings.

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Exploring Geometry, Ages 7-9

Through engaging problem solving situations, hands-on investigations, and games, this class helps children develop geometry concepts and vocabulary. New understanding will be developed by building on children’s previous knowledge of shapes and providing opportunities for them to explore further. Children will be engaged in comparing and sorting shapes using various characteristics, creating and continuing geometric patterns and designs, solving shape puzzles, combining shapes and visualizing how they will look, communicating their ideas and discoveries, and more. Activities will emphasize visual thinking, pattern recognition, and spatial understanding. Vocabulary will be introduced, used informally during activities, and increasingly emphasized as the children develop greater understanding and confidence. There will be suggested activities that children and parents can do at home to extend and practice the skills learned in class.

 

This class will introduce children to a variety of math concepts through fun activities in a group context. We will investigate mathematical ideas through blocks and manipulatives, games, problem solving tasks, and other hands-on activities. Depending on the experience and interests of the group, topics addressed may include number sense, addition and subtraction, place value, data collection and graphing, patterns, geometry, and measurement. We will also carry out a simple science experiment with mathematical connections. Parents are welcome to stay to observe and/or join in, and ideas will be offered for ways to extend these activities at home. This class can accommodate different levels of mathematical skill and experience, but planning will be based on the assumption that children can accurately count ten or more objects and recognize and write numerals to 10 or higher.

This class uses hands-on activities, problem solving challenges, games, and mathematical explorations to introduce and reinforce new concepts and skills in middle school level mathematics. When students have the opportunity to investigate mathematical problems and make discoveries for themselves, they develop a depth of understanding and a rich conceptual basis for later learning. Problem-solving and reasoning skills are a major focus of this class, with students working to figure out a problem or challenge and then explaining their different strategies and approaches to the group. Activities incorporate multiple strategies and approaches, including hands-on manipulative materials and visual models, and collaboration is always encouraged. At the middle school level, children are ready to connect concrete activities to abstract representations, and this class will help them learn to use the language and symbols of mathematics as well as other formats for expressing mathematical understanding.

This class focuses particularly on geometry concepts and activities, with specific topics chosen based on the previous experience and interests of the class participants. Many activities will integrate geometry with other areas of mathematics. Students' basic number sense and computational skills will be reinforced as they are applied to other activities. This class will not include drill-type skill practice, but will focus instead on using new skills and understanding in engaging and meaningful ways. Suggestions for further reinforcing and extending this learning at home through games, skill practice, and other activities will be given throughout the class.

Activities emphasize visual thinking and spatial reasoning and introduce and reinforce geometry vocabulary. Possible geometry topics include:
- relationships between two dimensional shapes, including congruence and similarity
- symmetry
- polygons and their diagonals
- exploring perimeter and area of a variety of shapes
- discovering and applying formulas for perimeter, area, volume
- exploring angle measurement
- using a protractor to find angle measurements and draw angles

In early childhood, children develop new concepts through playful explorations with concrete materials. This workshop is an opportunity for young children to try a number of open-ended investigations with different educational blocks and math manipulatives (Cuisinaire rods, pattern blocks, colored cubes/tiles, geoboards). The morning will begin with time for the kids to play with the materials in their own ways. As the workshop progresses, they will be encouraged to extend their investigations and further explore mathematical concepts through specific activities. This might involve drawing/recording a design or pattern they have created or trying a specific challenge with the materials. Often recording something they have built or created with blocks is a great way for children to increase their learning and take it to a slightly more abstract level.

Math concepts addressed by the materials and activities may include:
- counting and conservation of number
- basic number sense
- addition and subtraction
- patterning
- shapes and their names
- visual thinking
- symmetry
- 2-D vs. 3-D representations

This class uses hands-on activities, problem solving challenges, games, and mathematical explorations to introduce and reinforce new concepts and skills in middle school level mathematics. When students have the opportunity to investigate mathematical problems and make discoveries for themselves, they develop a depth of understanding and a rich conceptual basis for later learning. Problem-solving and reasoning skills are a major focus of this class, with students working to figure out a problem or challenge and then explaining their different strategies and approaches to the group. Activities incorporate multiple strategies and approaches, including hands-on manipulative materials and visual models, and collaboration is always encouraged. At the middle school level, children are ready to connect concrete activities to abstract representations, and this class will help them learn to use the language and symbols of mathematics as well as other formats for expressing mathematical understanding.

This class focuses particularly on pre-algebra and geometry concepts and activities, with specific topics chosen based on the previous experience and interests of the class participants. Many activities will integrate pre-algebra and geometry with each other and with other areas of mathematics. Students' basic number sense and computational skills will be reinforced as they are applied to other activities. This class will not include drill-type skill practice, but will focus instead on using new skills and understanding in engaging and meaningful ways. Suggestions for further reinforcing and extending this learning at home through games, skill practice, and other activities will be given throughout the class.

Pre-algebra activities emphasize pattern and number relationships. Possible pre-algebra topics include:
- exponents (especially powers of two, square numbers, cubic numbers)
- integers
- order of operations
- ratio and proportion
- rational numbers - relationships between fractions, decimals, and percents
- using variables and solving simple equations
- the relationship of functions to patterns
- using tables, graphs, and formulas to describe functions/patterns
- writing and using formulas to solve problems

Geometry activities emphasize visual thinking and spatial reasoning and introduce and reinforce geometry vocabulary. Possible geometry topics include:
- relationships between two dimensional shapes, including congruence and similarity
- symmetry
- polygons and their diagonals
- exploring perimeter, area, & volume of a variety of shapes
- discovering and applying formulas for perimeter, area, volume
- exploring angle measurement
- using a protractor to find angle measurements and draw angles
- circles ­ radius, diameter, circumference, pi