A Skilled Tutor for all needs is available at Learning Achievement Center.
Learning Achievement Center offers an impressive and award winning variety of educational programs in algebra I & II, physics, chemistry, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, FST, reading, writing, English and study skills. Tutoring at Learning Achievement Center is linked to what is being taught in the classroom for maximum effectiveness.
Our tutoring is so successful because our highly skilled teachers work in our center based facility. Research has shown that center based tutoring is more effective than home based tutoring. There are fewer distractions, greater disciple, comprehensive teacher resources, and professional supervision in our center. We have created a safe harbor for our students so they can achieve academic excellence. They know that supportive, skilled, and non-judgmental help is available each and every week.
Tutoring is available in the following areas of study:
Elementary School math introduces the basic building blocks of mathematics:
- Counting
- Addition & Subtraction
- Multiplication & Division
- Number concepts
- Table and chart reading
- Organizing data
- Place value
- Time, money and number sense
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Measurement
- Probability
- Statistics
Middle School Math elevates the math challenges in order to prepare students for advanced mathematics in high school. We help students better understand:
- Integers and variable expressions
- Simple equations and inequalities
- The coordinate plane
- Rational and irrational numbers
- How to apply ratios and proportions
- Percent calculations
- Geometry patterns and measurement
- Probability
- Linear graphing and equations
Algebra is often described as the branch of mathematics in which letters are used to represent numbers and symbols to represent operations. It is a kind of universal arithmetic or simply arithmetic using letters. Students often need extra help understanding the new terms, concepts, and the language of algebra. We help students understand and improve algebra skills:
- Basic operations: rules for PEMDAS, letter variables, open sentences, properties of equations, and translating word problems into equations
- Real numbers: working with positive and negative integers, number line, and rules for multiplication, addition, division and subtraction of real numbers
- Solving equations: start with learning the basics about simple equations, rules for transforming equations, problem solving, and advanced operations on nonlinear equations
- Polynomials: degree and type of polynomials, exponents, factors, like and unlike terms, combining polynomials, FOIL method of multiplying polynomials
- Factoring Polynomials: greatest common factor, binomial factors, factoring by groups, difference of squares, factoring patterns and solving equations by factoring
- Fractions: simplifying algebra fractions, combining fractions, ratios /proportions, fractional equations, fractional exponents and polynomial fractions
- Linear Systems: solving a system of equations or inequalities by graphing, substitution, elimination and solving for two or more variables simultaneously
- Functions: slopes and intercepts, two variable equations, quadratic functions, function notation, direct / inverse variation
- Rational and Irrational Numbers: properties of rational numbers, exact and decimal form, rational square roots, irrational square roots, square roots of expressions, radical equations and simplifying radicals
- Quadratic Functions: methods of solution, quadratic formula, perfect squares, completing the square, and modeling real life problems
Physics is a branch of physical science that deals with physical changes of objects. The models on which it is based are most frequently expressed in mathematical equations that simplify the conditions of the real world for ease of analysis. The primary task in studying physics is to understand basic principles of things such as; motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, and light. Understanding these principles enables better understanding of the phenomena observed in the universe. We help students understand and improve physics skills:
- Motion – Linear and Two Dimensional: time graphs that analyze distance, velocity and acceleration, meaning of displacement, velocity, acceleration, projectile motion, periodic motion, vector analysis and methodology, momentum and its conservation
- Newton’s Laws: understanding and applying Newton’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd Laws of Motion, inertia, forces, action – reaction, force body diagrams, friction, net force calculations, kinematic analysis
- Sound and Light: wave types and wave properties, properties of sound, light fundamentals, reflection and refraction, diffraction and interference, mirrors and lenses properties and applications
- Electricity and Magnetism: static charges, electric and magnetic charges and forces, properties and applications, measurement of charges and fields, series and parallel circuits, circuit analysis and circuit simplification, and electromagnetic induction
- Energy and Heat: conservation of energy – potential and kinetic energy, work, power, simple and compound machines, analyzing collisions, and changing forms of energy
- Properties of Matter: changes of state, 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics, temperature and thermal energy transfer, fluid states, solid states, equilibrium and thermometry, elasticity of solids, thermal expansion, evaporation and condensation, liquids vs gases, and fluid buoyancy
- Gravity and Circular Motion: Law of Universal Gravitation, Kepler’s Law of Planetary Motion, satellite motion, weightlessness, circular and rotational motion, centripetal vs linear kinematics of force and acceleration
Chemistry is the science that studies the substances that constitute all matter. It is a systematic interpretation of the properties of such substances, or of higher level substances formed by combination, or of lower level substances resulting from decomposition. We help students understand and improve chemistry skills:
- Introduction to Chemistry: methods of measurement, scientific notation, significant digits, international system of units, unit conversion problems, properties of matter, and difference between elements and compounds
- Atomic Structure, Electrons and The Periodic Table: defining the atom, structure of nuclear atom, protons, neutrons electrons, electron configuration, organizing elements, classifying elements, periodic tables, and periodic trends
- Bonding – Ionic, Covalent, and Metallic: ions and bonding methods, ionic bonds, covalent bonding, bonding theories, polar and non-polar bonds, molecular compounds, bonding in metals
- Chemical Names, Formulas, Quantities, and Reactions: naming and writing formulas for ionic compounds, molecular compounds and acids and bases, measurement by moles, mole-mass and mole-volume relationships, percent composition and chemical formulas, classifications by types of reaction, and aqueous solution reactions
- Stoichiometry: the arithmetic of chemistry, deriving equations for chemical reactions, calculating amounts of reactants versus products, solving for limiting reagents, and calculating percent yield for reactions
- States of Matter and Behavior of Gases: study of the nature of gases, liquids and solids, properties of and changes of state, ideal gases, gas laws, and properties of gases to understand mixtures and movements
- Nuclear Chemistry: radiation in everyday life, fission and fusion of atomic nuclei, nuclear transformations, and alpha, beta and gamma radiation
- Solutions: properties of solutions, saturation, solubility, unsaturated, measurements of concentration using molarity, percent by mass or volume, and molality, colligative properties of solution, vapor-pressure lowering, freeze-point depression, boiling-point elevation, and calculating colligative property changes
- Acids, Bases, and Salts: acid-base theories, naming acids and bases, Lewis acids and bases, Arrhenius acids and bases, Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases, ph concept, hydrogen ions and acidity, conjugate acids and bases, strong and weak acids and bases, neutralization reactions, salt hydrolysis, and salt in solution
- Thermochemistry: Flow of energy, heat and work, chemical potential energy, meaning of system versus surroundings, law of conservation of energy, exothermic and endothermic processes, heat capacity, specific heat, measuring and calculating enthalpy changes, calculating heats of reaction in changes of state
A system of ideas in which a few simple statements were assumed, postulates, and then used to derive more complex ideas, theorems. This is referred to as a deductive reasoning system. In addition to deductive and logical reasoning, geometry introduces students to new symbols, and vocabulary, and methods of proof used throughout life. We help students understand and improve geometry skills:
- Points, Lines, Planes and Angles: definitions points, lines, angles, planes, rays, segments, and relative postulates and theorems.
- Deductive Reasoning: if-then statements, their converses and conditional statements, properties from algebra, proving theorems about angles and perpendicular lines
- Lines, Planes, Triangles and Quadrilaterals: definitions, properties of parallel lines, triangle classification, meanings of congruence, methods of proof, inductive reasoning, parallelograms, and special quadrilaterals
- Inequalities in geometry: inequalities in one or two triangles, indirect proofs, inverses and contrapositives
- Triangles, Polygons and Circles: similarity and properties of ratios and proportions, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometric ratios, circle terminology; arcs, segments, tangents and chords
- Areas and Volumes of Plane Figures and Solids: rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, polygons, prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones and geometric probability by ratio
- Coordinate Geometry and Transformations: graphing linear equations, slope, distance formula, vectors, coordinate proofs, reflections, translations, rotations and dilations
Precalculus is a strong review of algebra II and an introduction to the basic concepts used in calculus. Understanding how functions work and model real life situations requires the introduction of new concepts about functional; limits, maximums, minimums, end behavior, asymptotes, continuity and rates of change.
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that was originally conceived in terms of the effects on a function of an infinitesimal change in the value of the independent variable. It deals with the finding and properties of derivatives and integrals of functions. We help students understand and improve pre-calculus / calculus skills:
Precalculus
- Algebra II Prerequisites: understanding real numbers and the Cartesian coordinate system, order and interval notation, properties of algebra, integer exponents, absolute value, equations of circles, ability to solve linear and quadratic equations and inequalities by numerical graphical and algebraic methods
- Functions and Graphs: ten basic functions, function properties, building functions from functions, graphical transformations, and modeling and equation solving
- Polynomial, Power and Rational Functions: linear and quadratic function modeling to solve problems, power functions, polynomial modeling, real zeros, complex numbers, fundamental theorem of algebra, solving rational functions and equations
- Exponential, Logistic and Logarithmic Functions: understanding models and graphs of logarithmic, exponential and logistic functions, mathematics of finance, properties of logarithmic functions and how to solve logarithmic and exponential equations
- Trigonometric Functions: introduction of radian angle measurements, trigonometric functions of acute angles, unit circles, circular functions, composite and inverse trigonometric functions, law of sines, law of cosines proving trigonometric identities
- Vectors, Parametric Equations, and Polar Equations: vectors in a plane as directed line segments, component vector form, unit vectors, vector dot products, parametric equations and motion simulation, polar coordinate system, coordinate and equation conversions, graphs of polar equations, DeMoivre’s Theorem and nth roots
- Systems and Matrices: matrix algebra, multivariate linear systems and row operations, partial fractions, solving complex systems using the matrix
Calculus
- Prerequisites for calculus: properties of lines, even, odd, piecewise and composite functions and graphs, exponential growth and decay, understanding parametric relations, circles, ellipses, one -to-one functions, inverses and logarithmic functions, radian measure and trigonometric functions
- Limits and Continuity: concept of limits, one-sided limits, limits at infinity, nonexistent limits, continuity of functions, determining continuity from a graph or equation, continuity consequences, rates of change and tangent lines
- Derivatives and Derivative Applications: definition of derivative using slope and tangent concepts, rules and formulas for differentiation, product and quotient rules, chain rule, implicit differentiation, derivatives of logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions, velocity and other rates of change, mean value theorem, connecting 1st and 2nd derivatives with the parent graph, optimization, linearization and Newton’s Method
- Definite Integral and Integration: properties of definite integrals and antiderivatives, Riemann Sums, fundamental theorem of calculus, finding area and volume, trapezoidal rule
- Differential Equations and Mathematical Modeling: slope fields and Euler’s Method, antidifferentiation by parts or substitution, product rule in integrated form, logistic growth models, exponential growth and decay, Newton’ Law of Cooling, carbon dating, and compounded interest
- Infinite Series: geometric series, infinite series, divergent series, convergent series, series differentiation and integration, Taylor Series, Maclaurin Series, remainder theorem, Euler’s Formula, radius of convergence, testing convergence at endpoints
- Parametric, Vector, and Polar Functions: parametric curves in a plane, slope and concavity, two dimensional vectors, modeling displacement and velocity, polar curves, polar-rectangular conversion formula, finding area, and rose curves
Our reading programs start with beginning readers and cover all aspect of reading right up to high school. We build reading proficiency by building skills in:
- Phonics: helps students master the word recognition skills that lead to independence in reading, emphasizing phonic clues and structural elements.
- Reading for the Main Idea: which is designed to assist students to grasp the central thought of a paragraph or short passage.
- Getting the Facts: which develops skill in recalling factual information from a single reading.
- Drawing Conclusions: which helps students look beyond the mere words of the writer to infer or go beyond the stage of simple factual recall.
- Using the Context: which will improve silent reading comprehension by requiring students to relate the part to the whole using judgement and insight into the interrelationship of ideas.
Writing is intimately coupled with thinking. It is much more than mere scribbling of words on paper. To write well a student must be able to focus on a topic, collect and analyze information, sort through his or her thoughts, organize facts, and communicate ideas to others. Students progress from identifying topic sentences to writing a research paper. A step by step approach begins with thinking and reading to pick a topic. We then move on to prewriting and using referencing, followed by draft writing, editing, word-smithing, and final essay. We use a writing checklist to achieve specific goals:
- Ideas
- Organization
- Creativity and word choice
- Sentence structure
- Spelling and punctuation.
- All writing is measured against a standard 4 point writing rubric
Mastering English includes the development of a strong vocabulary, following the rules of standard written English, and the ability to analyze other authors works for effectiveness. To do this we need to accomplish six necessary skills:
- To learn how authors organize their material
- To acquire flexibility in the way we read
- To learn to state other people’s ideas in our own words
- To increase vocabulary skills
- To evaluate what we read
- To judge an author’s conclusions
Study Skills is a hierarchy of specific skills that build upon each other and help a student become an independent learner. These skills include:
- Organization
- Recognizing and formulating main ideas
- Note-taking skills
- Outlining
- Summarizing skills
- Textbook skills
- How to study for tests
- Time management
- Following directions
- Memory improvement
Study skills teach students how to be active learners and provides them with structured approaches to classroom work and homework. Homework is often part of a student’s overall grade. It must be completed on time. These strategies help students avoid the anxieties created by the pressure to perform tasks that they do not know how to approach, such as taking note from lectures or writing essays on tests.