Saturday Math Academy (SMA)
Saturday Math Academy will begin Saturday, October 2, 2010 and will conclude Saturday, May 28, 2011. Academy hours are 9-11 a.m. SMA serves as the enrichment component that maintains for the community a consistent presence for math learning for the young learner, parents and adults within the community.
SMA is poised to spearhead a Mathematical Renaissance in the Rainier Valley that will light a fire of curiosity inspiring our students to engage, and really experience the joys, rigors and pleasures of thinking and doing mathematics.
Instruction and presentation are vibrant and bold, charged with movement, African drumming, music, dance, history, energy, and unmitigated passion.
Problem solving, active thinking and cooperative learning with peers is our formula for demonstrating to our students that they themselves are brilliant, and capable of handling the rigors of solving serious problems. Above all else we value children's ability to THINK and reason well!
Our mathematics routinely involve using manipulatives and devices such as the ancient Chinese abacus, the Suan Pan. We expect all students to master arithmetic and "FEAR NO NUMBER." Norman Alston will demonstrate calculation techniques, and reckoning skills that will delight, and simply amaze students as he demystifies base ten numeration.
Alston's vision and intent is to equip students with the requisite number sense and arithmetic skills that will prepare them to study formal algebra, along with a serious treatment of calculus concepts under his instruction. He says the end game is a polished, confident, and skilled 6th grader prepared to excel in higher mathematics. Says Alston, "my students excel in the later grades because they are firm conceptually, and go into the middle grades and high school already having done algebra and basic calculus. That's why I teach advanced concepts early, I call it ACE."
Parents are not required to attend. However, many do stay and observe and participate alongside their children. Even grandparents attend and are cordially encouraged to study also. It really does feel like our African Village.
Built into SMA is the requirement that the young learners brief an adult, on what they learned prior to attending the next scheduled session.
Enrollment will be limited to 20 students per section. Our intent is quality instruction for our students, and this can best be done with smaller class sizes. However, we want to grow, so please join our Rennaissance and expand and swell our SMA teaching ranks. Norman is eager to train adults who may want to take a more active role in teaching his methods. Adult Math Literacy classes are now filling rapidly this fall!
Saturday Math Academy Fall Offerings:
For More Information Contact:
Norman Alston, Founder & Math Specialist norman@movingbeyondarithmetic.org
