SAI Grade Levels

The Summer Algebra Institute offers classes for students entering 3rd/4th grades, 5th/6th grades and 7th/8th grades. We also offer an advanced class for SAI alums entering 6th/7th/8th grades.

SAI FOR KIDS (Grades 3-4, 5-6)

With students entering these grades (for next year), SAI uses a variety of models of algebra concepts to create a solid foundation for the study of formal algebra in later grades, while also reinforcing basic arithmetic skills. By the end of the SAI session, participants should be able to:
     simplify expressions like (2x + 3)(1x + 5)
     factor expressions like 2x² + 7x + 6
     connect the algebra of (3x + 4)(2x + 7) with the arithmetic of (34)(27).

SAI MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH (Grades 6-8)

This session is specifically designed for middle school/junior high students who have NOT attended SAI before AND have NOT taken a full course of Algebra 1 at school. This session will establish a firm foundation for working with algebraic operations and expressions, smoothing the way for a first exposure to the formal study of algebra. Please note: students who HAVE attended SAI as a 5th or 6th grader should attend the Advanced SAI session, described to the below.

ADVANCED SAI (for SAI Alums only)

Our Advanced SAI sessions are open ONLY to older SAI alumni who have previously and successfully completed a basic SAI 5th-6th grade session. Advanced SAI will explore further algebra topics in the enjoyable method of basic SAI while also using an algebra game that has been called "the Porsche of math games." SAI alums who HAVE attended SAI as a 5th or 6th grader should attend the Advanced SAI for Alums session as described above. The Advanced SAI for Alums will go further in algebra than will the Junior High SAI.