Brewster's summer math courses are part traditional classroom; part innovative, computer-enhanced learning laboratory; and part intensive, individualized tutorial. They have to be. We cover a lot of material and no one gets left behind. We change the pace, the approaches, and the perspective often in order to keep things interesting and to make sure that everyone has a chance to "get" what are, sometimes, abstract principles. The teacher is an experienced veteran who includes, among his awards, a state-wide recognition as teacher of the year.

As you might expect, these classes have low, advantageous student to teacher ratios, but additional help is available to those students who elect instructional support (IS) as one of their options. Younger students (12-13 ages) who have not yet taken these courses will be required to select IS. For more information on Instructional Support classes, please see appropriate details on an accompanying page.

Pre-Algebra

Pre-algebra is a course designed to allow the student exposure to many of the topics and language covered in a first year algebra course. Students will learn to integrate their past math skills with a broad range of mathematical concepts. They will experience the connections through real-life situations that will help to engage them in their learning environment. Upon completion of this course, students will have improved their problem-solving techniques, understand why and how variables are used in Algebra, and have a broad sense of the abstract terms they will be exposed to throughout their math courses.

Algebra I

This is a full year's course in six weeks. From counting numbers to polynomials, from basic addition and subtraction, to solving systems of equations, from decimal points to exponents, from the classroom to the dorm room. This will be a fast paced course with plenty of support. The scope of the course extends through the solving of quadratic equations. We'll supply the paper, pencils, a ruler, graph paper, books, and laptop computer. You should bring a calculator. Algebra is the language of mathematicians, we will talk the talk and graph the graph. All of this activity will include real-life applications and computer simulations.

Algebra II

This is a full year's course in six weeks. Starting from a basic review of the Concepts of Algebra, through Inequalities, Linear Equations and Functions, Products and Factors of Polynomials, Rational Expressions, Irrational and Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations and Functions, to Matrices and Determinants.

Geometry

From points and lines to pyramids and cones, from the early Greeks to modern computers, from experiments to proofs, from the classroom to the dorm room. This will be a fast paced course with plenty of support. We'll supply the paper, pencils, a ruler, graph paper, books, and laptop computer. You should bring a calculator. Also leave room in your suitcase because there will be plenty of handouts. The emphasis will be on learning and doing. Learning definitions and implicative statements and doing algebra, explorations, constructions, and sequencing of statements. All of this activity will include several real-life applications and use of computer software.