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From September to July  I offer after-school classes in Math skills from Grades Four to Twelve. Classes are taught in small classes of 3 students  maximum in Toronto, North York.

The goal of the classes is to build solid foundation of school math with thorough understanding of math concepts and the logic underlying math procedures.

 

For elementary and beginning of middle school the course concentrates on basics of mathematics -  number sense, arithmetic operations, word problems, fractions, and operations with them.  If the student is ready he/she is introduced to variables, and the idea of sets and algorithms.

 

The program is enriched with fun math games and logical problems. Last 15 min of a lesson is devoted to these activities, it helps students to develop creative thinking and makes lessons more fun. Students are encouraged to participate in Math Kangaroo Contest and other math competitions

 

In elementary and middle school there is less pressure from the school curriculum and it's the perfect opportunity to work more with concepts and developing logic.

This way, by the start of grade 9 when the curriculum starts to accelerate, the students are prepared and are 1-2 years  ahead of the curriculum.

 

 

 

In the end of middle school and in high school I continue to teach a consistent course of mathematics covering algebra, functions and introduction to calculus and vectors, using definitions and theorems, providing proofs of important mathematical facts as needed. The emphasis is still on understanding concepts.

 

Usually the highest grade new students are accepted is grade 7.

 

Some materials used:

Singapore Math series used extensively.

I. Gelfand  Occasionally referenced.

Algebra and Geometry grades 7-10 textbooks which originated in Russia are also used, combined with my translation into English.

For grades 11 and 12 we use "Precalculus" by Sullivan, Sullivan.  We also review school tests that were previously written by our  students.

 

These materials give the student a taste of what graduate level math is like, provide proof for theorems, and are still simple and clear enough to be understood by a high school math student.

 

 

 

Why 
Solid knowledge ?

Students will be encouraged to actively participate in understanding and mastering math concepts rather than rote memorization.

Some examples:

  • Everybody knows that division by zero is impossible, why do you think this is so?

  • Why is a common denominator needed to add or subtract fractions?

  • How will you construct a word problem that has the expression a – b – c  as a solution?

 

Students will be expected to be able to stand their ground and explain why their answer is right.

 

Students will be taught to look for solutions for problems logically as opposed to trying to remember the appropriate formula and algorithm.

 

This approach to knowledge is very important in college.

I really hope that the students will learn to consider solving math problems interesting and fun.

 

 

 

Testimonials 

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     Irina is my mother so since I was little, even before school, she was giving me logic puzzles to solve (which was fun) and always insisted on understanding why things work the way they do and explaining my answers. I think it helped me a great deal during school and university and now I'm a successful software developer :)

— Alissa, software developer, Tel-Aviv

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     Math was not my strong suit and I was close to failing it in grade 2 until my mom intervened (well, I have to mention that it was our first year in Canada). She taught me math and made it enjoyable. I'm interested in art and have always been a visual learner, so mom tailored the explanations to suit my needs. She used different things to help us understand concepts from matchsticks to dried beans. She also had us do really interesting and fun problems that forced us to think outside the box. With her help I graduated high school with better marks.

— Anita, student in animation workshop, Toronto

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    Mrs. Verkhovsky has been my teacher and tutor for more than 7 years. She was always able to see where I had blind spots and fix them, if not on the first try then the second, or third or fourth. No matter how long it took, at the end of the lesson she made sure I understood. As my mathematical knowledge deepened, she taught ahead of the school curriculum so I was able to excel in school due to our lessons and I will be forever thankful! I had group and private lessons, my experience was sometimes challenging (due to material) but always positive because as a professional, she knows how to find the right approach to make the material comprehensible. She is tough and patient as a teacher and caring as person; a wonderful combination so we can always share a laugh and talk about life. She wants to share her knowledge of mathematics and make you understand the beauty in it.

— Marina, grade 12, student at Honours Mathematics, Science and Technology program, Toronto

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