What is SAI: the Summer Algebra Institute for Kids?

The Summer Algebra Institute™ (SAI) is...

• a week-long half-day enrichment program...
• for students with a wide range of abilities...
• that uses algebra to turn kids on to math...
• and unify math across topics and grades...
• long before the critical years of junior high.

SAI was begun in 1995 by several teachers who had already been successful in providing enjoyable, sensible algebra instruction to early elementary children. From the beginning, SAI's objectives have been:

• to "turn on" elementary-age students to mathematics long before reaching the very critical years of junior high school; and
• to support parents who wanted their children to benefit from such connected mathematical instruction like this, while still in the elementary grades.

SAI uses a variety of math activities, games, and methods to create a solid foundation now for the formal study of algebra in later grades, while also reinforcing basic arithmetic concepts and skills. SAI students are trained in a powerful study of hands-on algebra that...

• connects reasoning to number sense and basic facts;
• links the study of algebra with important principles of arithmetic; and
• establishes a solid, lasting foundation for working with unknown numbers.