I receive several questions about the math classes I offer.  In 2017, I started tutoring in math while teaching other classes.  Within two years of tutoring, I learned a valuable lesson – this has to be easier to help more people.  As it turned out, my schedule would not allow for the many families who sought me out to tutor their children in math, and I believed I could be more effective with the homeschooling community’s math needs differently – enter the Basic Math Series (not Common Core math).  I have written a four-part Basic Math Series curriculum, which was purposefully developed to meet the needs I faced in tutoring.  You will read in each course description of the math classes I offer a specific objective that addresses four areas: provide students from many “kitchen table” math programs to attend one “kitchen table” math program, to provide instruction for at-level students, to provide supplemental math for at-level students, and to provide high school credits for remedial math students.   It is always good to read the course descriptions carefully.  Perhaps my answer to questions I receive every year will help you find a direction this coming year.  Such questions include, “I’m not sure where I have gone wrong, can you help?” or “What should I do next?” and even, “We haven’t covered much math and I’m not sure where to begin.  Can you help?” My answer is in the form of what and where a child should be by grade level and the courses I offer.

• 5th grade: Fractions – Students should complete a comprehensive fractions course before entering Middle School math. I recommend Key to Fractions, and I teach the course as well.  However, it is a curriculum so well done that no parent needs to fear it.
• 5th-6th grade: “Just Math” (new course) – In speaking with parents over the last two years, I have found some students have a working knowledge of fractions but are not quite ready for Basic Math I concepts.  The course description explains in detail what is offered in this course.
• 5th-6th grade: Basic Math I – This course was purposefully designed to “get everyone at the same kitchen table” while presenting math concepts current to educational benchmarks for these grades.
• 6th-7th grade: Basic Math II – This course could either be listed as the “part 2” of Basic Math I or stand on its own as a starter class for the concepts comparable to 7th grade benchmarks.
• 7th-8th grade: Basic Math III – Pre-Geometry/Geometry (non-Euclidean Geometry) – This course covers a broad range of concepts for two reasons: 1) to provide a remedial student with a high school credit based on standardized concepts, and 2) to prepare 7th and 8th graders with a strong foundation before entering a high school textbook.
• 7th-9th grade: Basic Math IV – Pre-Algebra/Algebra I – This course, too,  covers a broad range of concepts for the same reasons as Basic Math III.

Lastly, if your child has ever said, “I hate math!”  That is a challenge I will accept.  Feel free to reach out to me: jwsandtner@gmail.com.