Math 4 Math-U-See Epsilon - Learning Options

MATH 4 MATH-U-SEE EPSILON IS A YEAR-LONG COURSE FOR STUDENTS IN GRADE 4.

Epsilon will apply the knowledge and mastery of basic operations of whole numbers to these operations of fractions. Unique manipulatives known as Fraction Overlays will be used to present a visual and concrete explanation of a fraction, four basic operations of fractions, equivalent fractions, and common denominators. Other topics included are mixed numbers and improper fractions; using multiple strategies to recognize common factors; understanding and grouping symbols and their effect on order of operations; interpreting and solving word problems; comparing and converting decimal fractions; finding the area and circumference of circles; classifying quadrilaterals; representing fractions and fractional measurements on line plots and number lines; and using coordinates to represent ordered relationships. Math-U-See Epsilon meets the fourth grade requirement for the VSA Associate and Standard Level diploma only. Homework will average 4-6 hours per week.

The Veritas Approach to Math

Unlike some classical educators, we believe math is a crucial subject. It’s necessary for a well-rounded, rigorous classical education. In the grammar years, math provides content for developing memorization tools. In the dialectic years, subjects like Algebra I and Geometry develop students’ reasoning skills. In the rhetoric years, Pre-calculus, Calculus, Statistics, and Business Math lead students to value math in real-world applications.

At Veritas, we’re convinced that math has been dumbed down in America. Most students are more capable than we think. Our mission is to help make sure your children don’t become a dismal math statistic. For more than 25 years, we’ve been proving that our math standards shouldn’t come from what we were raised with. After all, if the education we ourselves received was as education should be, why would we be doing something different for our children? A study of historical and international math standards helps us see this clearly.

Maybe the best way to understand our approach is to mark some milestones.

Veritas recommends Saxon Math for K–6th, Jacobs for Algebra I and Geometry, Foerster for Algebra II and Pre-Calculus, and Larson for Calculus.

Saxon, with its incremental advances and continual review, works best with the grammar stage. Thankfully, Harold Jacobs understands the dialectic student and has written a superb curriculum for them with Algebra I and Geometry. One of his former students, Paul Foerster, writes where Jacobs left off, providing us our favorite texts for Algebra II and Pre-Calculus. Finally, Larson, a most prolific producer of Calculus texts, provides the capstone to our math curriculum.

Some prefer to stick with Saxon into the secondary school years. We are fine with that—even offering live class options using Saxon—but prefer texts written with more of a classical pedagogical approach.

Today, all math education needs to address the use of technology. At Veritas, it’s simple: use technology as a tool, not a crutch. Learning to work a two-variable algebraic equation is important. When mastered, however, why waste time plugging and chugging the numbers to develop a graphing solution? Let a machine do the number crunching. Students simply need to know how to do it.

Math is crucial to classical education. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

١Americans are lagging in math: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/

٢A Brief History of American K-12 Mathematics Education: https://www.csun.edu/~vcmth00m/AHistory.html

٣Is Calculus necessary? http://www.math.harvard.edu/~knill/pedagogy/use/index.html

Live Online Course

Epsilon will apply the knowledge and mastery of basic operations of whole numbers to these operations of fractions. Unique manipulatives known as Fraction Overlays will be used to present a visual and concrete explanation of a fraction, four basic operations of fractions, equivalent fractions, and common denominators. Other topics included are mixed numbers and improper fractions; using multiple strategies to recognize common factors; understanding and grouping symbols and their effect on order of operations; interpreting and solving word problems; comparing and converting decimal fractions; finding the area and circumference of circles; classifying quadrilaterals; representing fractions and fractional measurements on line plots and number lines; and using coordinates to represent ordered relationships. Math-U-See Epsilon meets the fourth grade requirement for the VSA Associate and Standard Level diploma only. Homework will average 4-6 hours per week.

View Math 4 Math-U-See Epsilon Syllabus

Prerequisites

Minimum age of 9 and maximum age of 12 on the first day of class. Successful completion of Math 3 Math-U-See Delta or comparable course in the previous 24 months is strongly encouraged.

You Teach

You Teach is our term for those who take our curriculum and teach it themselves, whether at home or at school.

Math-U-See is a systematic, cumulative approach to teaching math that helps students master material using a definite, logical sequence of concept instruction. The Math-U-See Epsilon Universal Set contains everything you need for a successful experience with this level:

• Instruction manual with complete solutions
• Instruction DVD
• Student workbook
• Tests booklet
• Fraction Overlay Kit
• Lifetime access to the Epsilon Digital Pack with lots of resources, including online versions of video lessons, digital manipulatives, and worksheet generator

Now that your student has mastered basic operations with whole numbers, Epsilon covers new territory, employing these same operations with fractions. Fractions are presented in an intuitive way with visual explanations of equivalent fractions, common denominators, and fractions and numbers larger than 1. Major concepts and skills for this level include recognizing and generating equivalent fractions and understanding and fluently performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions and mixed numbers. Some of the other topics your student will explore include factors, grouping symbols and order of operations, word problems, decimal fractions, number lines, and geometry.

The Math-U-See system is structured with step-by-step procedures for introducing, reviewing, practicing, and mastering concepts. Each lesson teaches using multisensory tools such as videos, manipulatives, and other resources, all designed to appeal to any type of learner. With all these resources, you can adapt the program to your student's homeschool style.