Pre-Calculus, Honors

Course Description: 

This class is designed to help homeschooling families succeed in their study of pre-calculus topics including functions, analytical geometry, probability, series, sequences, and trigonometry by providing quality instruction and objective evaluation using Foerster’s Algebra and Trigonometry:  Functions and Applications (Pearson Prentice Hall:  2005).  The book is designed to be completed in two years, so this class covers chapters 9 – 15. Students will be expected to spend roughly an hour and a half to two hours on homework daily.  Class will meet two days per week for one hour and five minutes each session for instruction.  Since this is a homeschooling tutorial, parents will have the certain responsibilities as stated below.

Understand that this is an honors level class and not designed for the struggling or lazy math student.  Students will be expected to complete homework assignments before the subsequent class, participate in class with a working microphone, and proactively seek help when not understanding the material.

Testimonial:

Thank you, Mrs. Flynn, for the excellent preparation for AP Calculus that our daughter received in your Advanced Math (now named Pre-Calculus) class. After your online course, not only did she successfully complete the AP class, but she took the AP Calculus AB/BC exam and achieved a 5.  This gave her a great edge on her college applications and she has been accepted into the Honors Fellows program at her top choice college. Thank you for your part in her math success!

Mother in Mexico

Prerequisites: 

Students need to have completed Geometry as well as Algebra II using Foerster’s text with an A or B average or gain special permission from the instructor.
It is recommended that students be at least 15 years old, entering at least 11th grade.
Parents of younger students should contact the instructor before registering for the class.

Materials:

  • Textbook:  Algebra and Trigonometry:  Functions and Applications by Paul Foerster (Pearson Prentice Hall; CLASSIC EDITION:  2005).  New and used copies are available through Amazon.  New copies are also available through the publisher Savvas.  Purchase the Student Edition with ISBN 9780131657106.
  • TI-30XS Multi-View Scientific Calculator available through Amazon
  • Pencil & Eraser (No Pens)
  • Notebook:  Spiral Bound or Loose-Leaf*
  • Graph Paper*

*Students may want to use a Graph Ruled Spiral Notebook for all of their work so they can draw graphs beside their calculations.

Technical Needs:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC:  Download available free through Adobe.
  • Headset with Microphone

Student Expectations: 

Students will be expected to attend and participate in class, taking notes on the material covered.  An excellent practice is for students to write out all problems that the teacher works through in class because they notice details that they otherwise miss when they simply watch the teacher write the solution, they stay fully engaged with the class, and they have that work to refer to when completing homework assignments.  Students will be expected to complete homework assignments at home and grade them or have their parents grade them, using the answers in the back of the book or posted on dropbox.  Students will be expected to correct any missed problems—not just change the answers, but find the mistakes in their solutions and fix their work.  Students will be encouraged to ask questions about any problems they do not understand, either by email or during class.  Students must not seek access for tests before they take them and follow all test-taking rules.  They must not discuss details about tests with other students nor share tests with siblings or students who take a course in a subsequent year.  Students are expected to present themselves appropriately and treat others respectfully.

Teacher Expectations:

The teacher will begin class on time.  She will review homework and answer questions students have regarding missed homework problems.  If there is not enough time to answer all homework questions during class, she will ask students to ask any remaining questions through email.  She will then teach the new material, incorporating class participation in solving problems, as appropriate.  She will prepare and grade student tests, notebook quizzes, and test corrections.   She will give semester grades and evaluations.  She will contact parents and students by way of email when necessary.  She will be respectful and patient with the students, encouraging an atmosphere of respect for one another.

Parent Expectations:

It is the parents’ responsibility to determine that this class meets the legal homeschooling requirements of their state or over-sight group.  They are expected to pay for the class by the given deadline and to obtain the needed materials.  It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that students are not only attending class but also are engaged in the class.  Parents will either need to grade the homework or make sure their students are not simply copying answers from the back of the book if they are allowed to check their homework themselves.  Parents must take this responsibility seriously because it is through the homework that students truly master the material.  Parents will also administer the closed book, closed notes tests, ensuring that students do not gain access to the tests before taking the tests.  Parents are responsible for submitting the tests as well, being careful that students do not have the ability to change any answers before the tests are submitted.  If students have a problem showing respect to the teacher or their classmates, the parents of those students will be notified so they can deal with the problem.  If such a problem persists, the parents must realize that the students will not be permitted to return to class.  No reimbursement of payments will be made under such circumstances.

Grades:

Tests (4 per semester):  100 points per test
Notebook Quizzes:  100 points per semester
Semester Exams:  200 points per exam

Class Times:

2021-2022 Tuesday and Thursday 12:30pm — 1:35pm ET
2022-2023 Monday and Wednesday 11:00am — 12:05pm ET
2023-2024  Tuesday and Thursday 11:00am — 12:05pm  ET
2024-2025  Monday and Wednesday 12:30pm — 1:35pm ET

Class Dates:

Last full week in August — Last week in May.  Please see the Pre-Calculus Homework Calendar for scheduled class cancellations.

Cost:

The cost is $450 per year per student, if a family enrolls in only one class.  Families enrolled two or more classes will receive a $50 discount per class.
Make payment by check payable to Liberty Tutorials.
Half of the payment is due with registration and will not be refunded if the class is dropped.
The other half is due August 15th.

In the event that a student joins a class late at any time during the first semester, the student will be charged the fee for the entire year.

In the event that a student joins a class during the second semester, the student will be charged $350.

Registration:

Registration for the upcoming school year begins February 1st for currently enrolled students and their siblings.  Registration is open to all other families on February 15th.
Click here to register.

Contact Information:

info@libertytutorials.com

Teacher Credentials:

Math teacher Karena Flynn has a love of mathematics that stems from her appreciation of its orderliness and logic as well as her love of God, its Creator. She received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mathematics and minor in education from James Madison University. She maintained a 4.0 GPA in her math classes and graduated summa cum laude. Karena regularly tutored math during high school and college. She taught at a private Christian school for one year and in subsequent years has been homeschooling her children. Since 2010 she has been teaching math through Liberty Tutorials.