Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people!
Taking some time off from classes is an idea people are considering more seriously right now than they usually would. If you\’re thinking about something along these lines, but you\’re not sure how you\’re going to keep from losing the math skills you\’ve worked hard for years to learn — keep reading.
You already know you forget a lot over the summer — it\’s called the summer slide. If you went through the \”geometry sandwich\” high school math sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) you know how a year away from using algebra directly on a regular basis makes problems you used to know how to do into something you have to learn all over again.
Do you really want to try to relearn high school algebra next year while using it as a step in your college math class? Does retaking high school algebra as a college student, for the same cost, with a short timeline therefore high pressure and a low pass rate, but having it not count toward your degree sound better? You\’re serious about your education, so you\’ll do it if you need to, but is that what you want?
There\’s another way.
Starting this fall, let\’s do Gap Year Math together. There\’ll be a Precalculus class for students who feel ready for it, with the chance of earning credit through a CLEP or similar exam (check policies at the college of your choice), and an Intermediate Algebra class for students who don\’t. If anyone wants a Calculus 1 class (also with a chance for credit via CLEP or similar), I\’m open to offering that too — let me know!
Each month I\’ll release a new unit with explanations, videos, and practice that you can use to keep your math skills from slipping. We\’ll also have weekly \”office hours\” meetings you can log into to get extra help, talk things over, and work as a team on problem solving (don\’t worry — there\’s no group grading). Once the units are released, you can take all the time you need to master each one, without a grade on the line.
The first unit for each class will come out on August 24th and students who pre-register will get 20% off.
Calc You Later!
PS: Students taking a year off before or during college are who I\’m keeping in mind while designing this class, but others such as homeschool students or parents who need to brush up to help their kids could get something out of it too and are totally welcome.
If you\’re a homeschool co-op in need of math curriculum and student support, please reach out! We can talk about group discounts.
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