301-717-8224 / ray.dykeman@gmail.com
Math
Elementary School Math
The parents of young students may find themselves concerned about their child's level of motivation and understanding. Ray works with these students to improve confidence, skill and motivation in order to lay a solid foundation for the challenges to come. In addition to skill building, he makes sure that his math lessons are fun!
Middle School Math
In Middle School, math becomes more abstract. Students who may have been successful in elementary school may now find the support of a tutor to be just what they need to successfully navigate this new math environment.
Algebra
In a fast-paced algebra class, there often is not time to explain in depth, and in a way that works for every student, all of the nuances of the many formulas and operations that the student must master. Ray carefully breaks down and explains the rationale for each topic in algebra so that students come to understand this branch of mathematics in a more complete way. This understanding is critical to a student's future success in math because these concepts serve as the foundation for pre-calculus, calculus and the math used in the sciences.
Geometry
In geometry, students are presented with a new set of skills to master and a new way of thinking that requires them to relate both mathematical concepts they have already learned and a new set of rules to an abstract physical world. Proofs, spatial reasoning, applied algebra and logic all challenge students in new ways. Ray helps many students as they navigate this new intellectual territory.
Pre-Calculus
In pre-calculus, students face many challenging subjects including applied trigonometry; two- and three-dimensional vectors; sequences and series; exponential and logarithmic equations and more. These concepts can be intellectually challenging even for strong math students, and rightly so. It is in pre-calculus that the work of the math greats appears. Students are asked to grapple with and apply math developed by Gauss, De Moivre, Euler, Fermat, Pascal and others. Ray helps his pre-calculus students to understand and appreciate the richness and power of mathematics in terms of both the intellectual challenge and its applications in science, technology, economics and much more. Pre-calculus is the foundation for calculus and advanced engineering mathematics. Mastery is especially critical for any student who plans to further pursue math, science (including environmental science and medicine), engineering, or economics. Ray helps his students to understand and integrate this important branch of mathematics.
Calculus
Calculus is a separate branch of mathematics that encompasses advanced new concepts that many students find difficult to master. Ray helps his students fully understand these ideas so that they can apply these skills to advanced problems in calculus as well as in advanced physics.
Science
Biology
Biology involves a great deal of memorization of both structural systems and functional processes. Today's students are also challenged by a heavy dose of biochemistry. Ray helps students to understand difficult concepts while supporting the study skills necessary to keep up with memorization demands.
Chemistry
Chemistry introduces a set of concepts with which almost every student has no prior experience. Chemistry is based upon the behavior of the atom and its subatomic particles, which follow physical laws that lie outside of normal experience. Ray is particularly skilled at explaining and clarifying how and why matter behaves the way it does, a necessary foundation for success in chemistry class. For example, because of the properties of atoms, there is are very good reasons why the Periodic Table looks the way it does; the elements behave the way they do; and why periodic trends are the way they are. Once students understand these and other foundational concepts, they can predict these behaviors. Chemistry also involves problem solving. Ray teaches the skills necessary to successfully solve the problems confronted by the chemistry student.
Physics
Physics is the most math intensive of the sciences. Physics students typically need help with the problem solving skills and methods required to successfully navigate a physics course. Ray supports students in developing these critical skills.
Organic Chemistry
Students often find organic chemistry to be the most challenging course of their scientific career. Ray helps students to become confident and successful by helping them to develop a solid foundation of the necessary concepts from general chemistry. With the fundamentals of the material in place, Ray then helps students to master concepts including nomenclature, mechanisms, resonance, and the rest.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry challenges students with dozens of complex biochemical pathways that must be thoroughly understood and memorized. The structure and function of biomolecules must also be mastered. Ray is an expert in biochemistry and is able to help students to master these very difficult concepts.
Standardized Tests
MCAT
Ray has a special affinity for helping students to prep for this test. He helped to develop Princeton Review's first set of MCAT materials, and taught MCAT prep classes for the company. His students averaged close to 3 point gains in these classes. When he took the test himself, he scored a perfect 15 on the Physical Science section (99.9th percentile) and 12 on the Biological Science section (95th percentile). Ray finds that prepping for this test over the summer gives students the time they need to fully prepare for this demanding and critical test. Ray also helps students with the MCAT during the academic year.
SAT Subject Test: Math Ic, Math IIc, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
These tests require an assessment of student skills in relation to the test. Ray starts with a pre-test, and then goes on to help students fill in any gaps in their knowledge and understanding, staying strictly focused on the material required to be successful on these tests.
AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Most students taking these tests work with Ray throughout the year, and so have a solid foundation going into the test. As the test approaches, Ray helps both new and long term students to focus on the test itself. Ray provides a comprehensive review of the material, and works with practice tests and problem solving as necessary to ensure that students are well prepared for this important test.
ACT & SAT Math and Science
Ray will help your student to master the Math and Science sections of the ACT and the Math Sections (with and without calculator) and other science content on the new SAT.
It's easy to get started: just call Ray at 301-717-8224, or e-mail him at ray.dykeman@gmail.com to set up your first appointment.