The Common Core State Standards have transformed mathematics education across the United States, emphasizing deeper conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and real-world problem-solving skills. For students in the St. Louis area, mastering Common Core mathematics is essential for academic success, standardized test performance, and preparation for college and career readiness.
At Mackler Associates, we understand that Common Core mathematics requires a different approach than traditional mathematics instruction. Our specialized common core tutoring program is designed to help students develop both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding while building the mathematical practices and reasoning skills that are central to the Common Core framework. Our expert tutor team provides high impact tutoring that addresses each student’s individual learning needs.
The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics are built around two key components that every tutor in our program thoroughly understands:
Mathematical Content Standards: These standards define what students should understand and be able to do at each grade level, organized around major mathematical domains and progressions that guide instruction in school.
Standards for Mathematical Practice: These eight practices describe the mathematical habits of mind and problem-solving processes that students should develop across all grade levels and mathematical content areas in every school setting.
This dual focus ensures that students not only learn mathematical procedures but also develop the reasoning skills and mathematical thinking processes that enable them to apply mathematics effectively in new and complex situations, whether working with a math tutor or in their regular school environment.
These crucial practices form the foundation of Common Core mathematics instruction that every tutor incorporates:
Make Sense of Problems and Persevere: Students learn to understand problems deeply and persist in finding solutions even when facing challenging or unfamiliar situations, building essential math skills.
Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively: Students develop the ability to represent situations symbolically and manipulate mathematical symbols while understanding what quantities represent – a core focus of our math tutoring approach.
Construct Viable Arguments: Students learn to make mathematical arguments, critique others’ reasoning, and communicate their mathematical thinking clearly and convincingly with support from their tutor.
Model with Mathematics: Students apply mathematics to real-world situations, using mathematical models to solve problems and making connections between mathematics and everyday life through guided practice.
Use Appropriate Tools Strategically: Students learn to select and use mathematical tools effectively, including technology, manipulatives, and mathematical representations with guidance from their tutor.
Attend to Precision: Students develop habits of mathematical precision in calculation, measurement, and communication, using clear mathematical language and notation in school and tutoring settings.
Look for Structure: Students learn to recognize mathematical patterns and structures that can simplify problem-solving and deepen understanding through high impact tutoring methods.
Express Regularity in Repeated Reasoning: Students notice and express general mathematical principles through repeated calculations and observations, developing critical math skills.
Our common core tutoring program addresses both content standards and mathematical practices through comprehensive support:
Standards-Based Assessment: We begin with comprehensive evaluation aligned to Common Core State Standards, identifying each student’s current understanding of mathematical content and practices with input from their school performance.
Integrated Instruction: Our tutoring seamlessly integrates mathematical content with the practices, helping students develop both computational skills and mathematical reasoning abilities that transfer to school success.
Expert Common Core Knowledge: Our tutor staff are thoroughly trained in Common Core mathematics and understand both the content standards and the pedagogical approaches that support student success.
Conceptual Emphasis: We prioritize deep conceptual understanding over procedural memorization, helping students develop the mathematical reasoning that Common Core State Standards emphasize through personalized instruction with each tutor.
Elementary Common Core mathematics builds strong foundations through conceptual understanding that every math tutor reinforces:
Counting and Cardinality (K): Students develop number sense through understanding counting principles, number relationships, and place value concepts with support from their tutor.
Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Students learn addition and subtraction through multiple strategies and representations, developing flexibility and understanding rather than relying solely on standard algorithms taught in school.
Number and Operations in Base Ten: Place value understanding is developed through concrete manipulatives, visual models, and abstract representations that connect to the base-ten number system through math tutoring support.
Measurement and Data: Students explore measurement concepts through hands-on activities and learn to collect, organize, and interpret data in meaningful contexts with their tutor.
Geometry: Geometric concepts are developed through exploration and manipulation of shapes, developing spatial reasoning and geometric vocabulary that strengthens overall math skills.
Middle school Common Core mathematics introduces more sophisticated reasoning that our tutor team expertly supports:
Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Students develop deep understanding of proportional reasoning through multiple representations and real-world applications with personalized math tutoring.
The Number System: Rational numbers are explored conceptually, helping students understand fractions, decimals, and integers as different representations of the same mathematical ideas in school and tutoring settings.
Expressions and Equations: Algebraic thinking is developed through understanding variables, expressions, and equations in meaningful contexts with ongoing tutor support.
Geometry: Coordinate geometry and geometric reasoning are developed through exploration of area, volume, and spatial relationships that build essential math skills.
Statistics and Probability: Students learn to analyze data and understand probability through investigations and real-world applications guided by their tutor.
High school Common Core mathematics prepares students for college and career success through comprehensive math tutoring:
Number and Quantity: Students extend their understanding of number systems and develop quantitative reasoning skills applicable to real-world situations with tutor guidance.
Algebra: Linear, quadratic, and exponential relationships are explored through multiple representations and modeling applications in both school and tutoring contexts.
Functions: Students develop deep understanding of functions as mathematical objects and tools for modeling relationships through high impact tutoring methods.
Modeling: Mathematical modeling becomes a central focus, with students applying mathematics to solve real-world problems across various contexts with their tutor.
Geometry: Geometric reasoning is developed through coordinate and synthetic approaches, emphasizing proof and logical reasoning that strengthens math skills.
Statistics and Probability: Students learn advanced statistical concepts and probability theory applicable to data analysis and decision-making with ongoing tutor support.
Common Core mathematics emphasizes reasoning over memorization through expert tutor instruction:
Problem-Solving Strategies: Students learn multiple approaches to problem-solving and develop flexibility in choosing appropriate methods for different situations with their tutor.
Mathematical Justification: Students learn to explain their mathematical thinking and justify their solutions using mathematical evidence and logical reasoning in school and tutoring settings.
Connection Making: Students develop the ability to see connections between different mathematical concepts and representations through math tutoring support.
Critical Thinking: Students learn to analyze mathematical situations critically and evaluate the reasonableness of their solutions, building essential math skills.
Common Core mathematics prioritizes deep understanding over procedural recall through personalized tutor support:
Multiple Representations: Students learn to represent mathematical concepts through concrete manipulatives, visual models, symbolic notation, and verbal descriptions with their tutor.
Conceptual Connections: Students understand why mathematical procedures work, not just how to perform them, building flexible mathematical thinking in school and tutoring environments.
Real-World Applications: Mathematical concepts are connected to real-world situations that demonstrate relevance and importance through high impact tutoring approaches.
Mathematical Discourse: Students engage in mathematical discussions that deepen understanding and develop communication skills with tutor facilitation.
Beyond our common core math tutor expertise, we provide comprehensive academic support:
English Tutoring: Our english tutoring services help students develop the language arts skills needed for mathematical communication and cross-curricular success in school.
Language Arts Support: Students receive language arts instruction that enhances their ability to understand and explain mathematical concepts clearly.
Writing Tutor Services: Our writing tutor specialists help students develop the written communication skills essential for explaining mathematical reasoning and problem-solving approaches.
Test Preparation: Our sat tutors provide comprehensive preparation for standardized assessments, building on the strong mathematical foundation developed through Common Core instruction.
Common Core mathematics incorporates appropriate technology use with tutor guidance:
Digital Tools: Students learn to use mathematical software, graphing calculators, and online resources to explore mathematical concepts and solve complex problems in school and tutoring settings.
Mathematical Modeling: Technology enables students to create and analyze mathematical models of real-world situations with support from their tutor.
Data Analysis: Students use technology to collect, organize, and analyze data in ways that would be impractical without technological support, developing critical math skills.
Visualization: Technology helps students visualize mathematical concepts and explore mathematical relationships dynamically with tutor assistance.
Many students and families find Common Core mathematics challenging, which is why our tutor team provides specialized support:
Different Approaches: Common Core emphasizes conceptual understanding and multiple solution strategies, which may differ from parents’ mathematical experiences in school.
Increased Rigor: Common Core mathematics requires deeper thinking and more sophisticated reasoning than traditional approaches, making math tutoring essential for many students.
New Assessment Formats: Common Core assessments often require explanation and justification, not just correct answers, which our tutor staff helps students master.
Vocabulary Development: Common Core mathematics includes extensive mathematical vocabulary that students must master for communication and understanding with ongoing tutor support.
We recognize that students have different learning needs and preferences in school and tutoring environments:
Learning Style Accommodation: We adapt Common Core instruction to support visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners through varied teaching methods and materials with each tutor.
English Language Learners: We provide additional english tutoring and language arts support for students learning English while mastering mathematical concepts and academic language.
Special Needs Support: Students with learning differences receive accommodations and modifications that support their success with Common Core mathematics through personalized tutor attention.
Gifted and Talented: Advanced students receive enrichment activities and acceleration opportunities that maintain challenge and engagement within the Common Core framework with specialized tutor support.
Common Core mathematics requires comprehensive assessment approaches that every tutor implements:
Formative Assessment: Ongoing evaluation during instruction helps us understand student thinking and adjust our teaching accordingly in both school and tutoring contexts.
Performance Tasks: Students complete complex, multi-step problems that demonstrate their ability to apply mathematical practices and content knowledge with tutor guidance.
Standards-Based Grading: We track student progress toward specific Common Core State Standards, providing detailed feedback about mathematical understanding that complements school assessments.
Growth Monitoring: We measure student growth over time, ensuring continuous progress toward Common Core proficiency goals through regular tutor evaluation.
We help families understand and support Common Core mathematics learning through comprehensive communication:
Common Core Education: We help parents understand the goals and methods of Common Core mathematics instruction used in school and reinforced through tutoring.
Home Support Strategies: We provide guidance for how families can support Common Core learning without needing to re-learn mathematics themselves, working with their child’s tutor.
Communication Tools: We share resources that help parents understand their student’s mathematical thinking and progress in both school and tutoring settings.
Partnership Building: We work collaboratively with families to support student success in Common Core mathematics through coordinated tutor support.
Our tutoring supports success on Common Core-aligned assessments with expert tutor preparation:
Test Format Familiarity: Students become comfortable with Common Core assessment formats, including technology-enhanced questions and performance tasks through practice with their tutor.
Strategic Thinking: We teach students to approach Common Core assessment questions strategically, using mathematical practices to guide their problem-solving with tutor support.
Communication Skills: Students learn to explain their mathematical reasoning clearly and justify their solutions convincingly through high impact tutoring methods.
Time Management: We help students manage time effectively during assessments while maintaining attention to mathematical accuracy and reasoning with ongoing tutor coaching.
Success with Common Core mathematics provides lasting advantages that extend beyond school:
College Readiness: Common Core mathematics prepares students for the mathematical reasoning and problem-solving required in college coursework through comprehensive tutor support.
Career Preparation: The analytical thinking and problem-solving skills developed through Common Core mathematics are valuable in many career fields, enhanced by quality math tutoring.
Lifelong Learning: Common Core mathematical practices support continued learning and adaptation to new mathematical and technological developments with strong foundational math skills.
Citizenship Skills: Mathematical reasoning and quantitative literacy are essential for informed civic participation and decision-making, developed through expert tutor instruction.
We provide Common Core mathematics support through various formats in school and tutoring environments:
Individual Tutoring: One-on-one instruction allows for personalized attention to each student’s specific Common Core learning needs with a dedicated tutor.
Small Group Sessions: Students with similar needs can benefit from collaborative learning experiences that emphasize mathematical discourse with tutor facilitation.
Online Tutoring: Remote instruction provides flexibility while maintaining high-quality Common Core mathematics support from our expert tutor team.
Intensive Programs: Students needing concentrated support can participate in intensive programs that accelerate Common Core mathematics learning through high impact tutoring methods.
Our Common Core mathematics students consistently demonstrate improved mathematical understanding and performance in school and tutoring assessments. Students develop greater confidence in their mathematical abilities and increased willingness to engage with challenging mathematical problems with ongoing tutor support.
Many students report that the reasoning skills developed through Common Core mathematics tutoring help them in other academic subjects and real-world problem-solving situations, building essential math skills for lifelong success.
The optimal time to begin common core tutoring depends on individual student needs and circumstances. Some students benefit from early support when they first encounter Common Core approaches in school, while others seek help when preparing for assessments or transitioning between grade levels.
We can provide Common Core mathematics support at any stage of a student’s mathematical development, adapting our instruction to meet current needs and goals through personalized tutor attention.
Common core tutoring represents an investment in your student’s mathematical future and overall academic success in school and beyond. Students who master Common Core mathematics are better prepared for advanced coursework, standardized assessments, and college and career opportunities through comprehensive tutor support.
We work with families to develop tutoring programs that provide comprehensive Common Core support while fitting within family budgets and schedules, ensuring each student receives the tutor attention they need.
Common Core mathematics requires a different approach to mathematical learning that emphasizes conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and real-world application. At Mackler Associates, we’re committed to helping St. Louis students succeed with Common Core mathematics while developing the mathematical practices and thinking skills that will serve them throughout their academic and professional lives.
Our experienced tutor team understands both the content and pedagogy of Common Core mathematics and are skilled at helping students develop the deep understanding and mathematical reasoning that Common Core State Standards emphasize. With personalized instruction, standards-based curricula, and ongoing support, we help students build the mathematical foundations necessary for long-term success in school and beyond.
Ready to master Common Core mathematics? Contact Mackler Associates today at (314) 916-6516 to schedule your free consultation and discover how our personalized common core tutoring can help your student develop mathematical excellence and reasoning skills for lifelong success.