2020

Virtual Summer Camp Courses

Providing the highest quality virtual instruction with live, engaging, and thought-provoking classes designed to build essential skills and mindset, Tip-Top Brain is bringing summer camp to your living room!

Choose a grade level:

What our parents are saying …

My children (10 and 6yo) attended TTB’s Summer Steam camp and absolutely loved it! It far exceeded my expectations. They were attentive and jovial, making learning both impactful and fun - so it seemed nothing like “school” and more an interactive educational playground. I will definitely be coming back!

My daughter is currently enrolled in group tutoring Math & ELA at Tip Top Brain, They have an excellent staff with a great method of teaching to meet every child individual needs. They are very accommodating if you need to switch the class schedule and also very helpful if you have any questions regarding your child curriculum. It's great that we have Tip Top Brain here in Astoria. I will definitely recommend Tip Top Brain to anyone who is looking for a great tutoring place for their child!

I have my son at Tip Top Brain for a year now and I am so happy that we found them. They are the best team of tutors that I have ever used. They are flexible with our hours and sincerely care about their students. My son is doing awesome at school and his confidence is better than ever. I recommend them 100%.

I am so glad I found them!!! My grandson was in need of tutoring and this has been the best decision. They are very supportive and professional. Very knowledgeable and specialize in each child’s needs. They truly want children to excel and I couldn’t be happier with their services.

My son never liked nor wanted a tutor because he felt they just weren’t going to teach him the way his at school teachers did or because he wasn’t going to like them. This all changed since he took both private lessons and group lessons at Tip Top Brain. His problem areas in Math have and are improving and he likes all his teachers. Best decision we ever made! Definitely recommend!

Love, Love, Love this place!! My daughter asks to go back every semester. It’s worth every penny. The staff are friendly and place is neat and clean all the time. The kids learn a great deal and have fun at the same time. My daughter always looks forward to going to her classes and she has been going there for 2 years and we are hoping to continue!!

My son has received individualized math tutoring for over two months. I already see a difference in his confidence with math. What's astounding to me is how he loves going there for his twice a week sessions. He used to hate math, but tonight he told me he wanted to practice more. I believe it's the instruction he has received at Tip Top Brain. I had researched Kumon as well, but at Tip Top Brain the help is personalized for the child, is aligned with Common Core standards, and doesn't rely just on rote drill. In addition to tutoring they also have great Coding classes. My son has loved this class! I highly recommend this center!

Grades 1 – 3

Math Detectives

4 spots left!

July 7th – August 6th

Grade 1 (Closed) – Mondays
Grade 2 (1 spot left) – Wednesdays
Grade 3 (3 spots left) – Fridays
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 pm

Description

Word problems are one of the hardest skills for emerging mathematicians because they have to combine so many skills at one time. Kids need practice to get better at them and train their brains to think through them. This course will focus on helping kids practice word problems in interactive and engaging ways. When kids put on their “math detective” hats every week, they will engage in practice, games, movement and discussions that focus on building the confidence and foundational math skills necessary to become great problem solvers.

Students entering 1st and 2nd grade will need some sort of counter or manipulative, but they can use household items for this.

Relevant CCSS Standards

Kindergarten
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1 Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.2 Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.

First Grade
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.A.2 Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Second Grade
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

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Grades 4 & 5

Numbers Through Space and Time

2 spots left!

July 10th – August 14th

Day: Fridays
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 pm

Description

A historical overview of the numeral systems of a handful of ancient civilizations, with an emphasis on Babylonian and Sumerian numbers. Numbers are often thought of as being a universal language, but only recently have we all begun using the numbers we know and love.

Surprisingly, this doesn’t mean our current numeral system is superior, each numeral system has its own strengths. Differences between numeral systems give us clues as to when certain math ideas were invented, like the number zero! For fun, we’ll create our own numeral systems, and practice doing a few calculations with each one!

Materials Needed

Construction or computer paper
Markers/crayons
Ruler/straight edge

Relevant CCSS Standards

4.NBT Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers.

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Grades 4 & 5

Introduction to Topology

New

August 4th – September 3rd

Day: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 pm

Description

Topology is the study of shapes but in a completely different way than geometry. Topology has no angles, lengths, measurements, or even numbers at all, but be warned, it is the “hardest” math! We’ll learn about how topology came to be, and what makes two things equal or unequal “topologically.”

Materials Needed

Rubber bands
Old T-shirt (will be cut)
Construction paper
Markers
Scissors

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Grades 4 – 6

Puzzle-mania!

Sudoku, Riddles, Rebus & Logic Puzzles

New

August 3rd – August 26th

Day: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 pm

Description

Summary: In this course, our students will get to work together and solve a few types of puzzles, including sudoku and rebus puzzles. They will have a great time meeting and solving problems with fellow puzzle-lovers!

4 types of puzzles to be covered: riddles, sudoku, logic puzzles, rebus puzzles

Grades 5 – 8

Combinatorics

Cool Ways to Count!

New

August 3rd – September 2nd

Day: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Description

We’ll jump into a little bit of history behind combinatorics. Combinatorics is the mathematics of counting! Combinatorics is typically used to study other fields of math. For instance, we use combinatorics in probability to count the number of ways something could happen, like how many ways you can get a pair of aces in a card game, or color-in a map! We’ll also take a dive into combinatorics theorems you could use everyday!

Materials Needed

Index cards
Tape
Markers/Crayons
Ruler/Straight edge

Relevant CCSS Standards

4.NF - Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering. Build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers.
5.OA - Write and interpret numerical expressions. Analyze patterns and relationships.

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Grades 5 – 8

JavaScript

Introduction to Computer Programming

1 spot left!

August 3rd – August 26th

Day: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Description

This course is designed for students who are new to computer programming: maybe they think it is a cool idea, or maybe they have never even heard of it! Regardless, they will be introduced to why and how people use programming languages, and they will learn the foundations of JavaScript. My goal is to develop students’ interest in coding, and develop / practice some problem solving skills along the way!

Materials Needed

Must be able to use a computer with a web browser during class
Enough space to move around during the first class

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Grades 5 & 6

Data & Art

2 spots left!

July 8th – July 31st

Days: Wednesdays & Fridays
Time: 2:15 – 3:15 pm

Description

In our experience, most kids tend to really like art and dislike math (or, in some cases, the opposite). They don’t tend to see any overlap between the two disciplines. Through this month-long course, our 5th and 6th graders will be introduced to the world of data visualization, in which numbers are shown through art. Students will learn about visual variables and practice analyzing a visualization’s use of artistic tools. Finally, they will choose a topic to visualize data on, and decide how to visualize it.

Their instructor will digitally recreate their ideas, and they will walk away with some new tools in their artistic and mathematical tool kits!

Relevant CCSS Standards

4.OA.5 - Generate and analyze patterns.
5.MD.2 - Represent and interpret data.
6.SP.1-5 - Develop understanding of statistical variability and describe distributions.

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Grades 5 & 6

Understanding Global Warming

Enrollment Closed

July 6th – July 29th

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 11:30 – 1:00 pm

Description

In this course we will be learning about all the factors that contribute to global warming, current and potential impacts of global warming, and what we can do to decelerate and even reverse global warming.

Relevant CCSS Standards

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Grades 5 & 6

Financial Literacy

Introduction to Personal Finances

Part 1

Sold out!

July 9th – July 31st

Days: Thursdays & Fridays
Time: 12:45 – 1:45 pm

Description

Most 5th and 6th graders have begun to think about money in some capacity. Maybe they plan to work during high school, or maybe they want their parents to give them the money to order the new PS5. Either way, as they learn about income and spending through personal experience, this course will guide them through strategies for sustainable spending and saving. Throughout the course, they will work together to design plans for fiscal responsibility!

Relevant CCSS Standards

4.NBT.4-6 - Perform multi-digit arithmetic.
5.NBT.4-7 - Perform operations with multi-digit numbers and decimals to the hundredths.
5.OA.3 - Analyze patterns and relationships.
6.EE.1-4 - Apply arithmetic to algebraic expressions

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Grades 5 & 6

Financial Literacy

Managing Financial Risk

Part 2 – Must take Part 1 Course First

Sold Out

August 6th – August 28th

Days: Thursdays & Fridays
Time: 12:45 – 1:45 pm

Description

In this course, our 5th & 6th graders will be introduced to risk when it comes to spending. Students will get to see concepts like insurance and debt in action, and will learn about how these concepts interact with their saving and spending plans from ‘Financial Literacy Part 1.’ Although it will be a few years before they have to make plans for their own finances, this course will allow them to better understand the vocabulary around financial risk that they may hear or read around them.

Relevant CCSS Standards

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Grades 6 – 8

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

5 seats left!

July 21st – August 13th

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Description

In this course we will be learning all about astrobiology! This is the study of finding potential habitats where life could exist beyond Earth in our Solar System and beyond. We will also be discussing the potential origins of life on Earth, and what it means to be considered “alive.”

Relevant CCSS Standards

MS-LS1-5. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
HS-ESS2-7. Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s systems and life on Earth.

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Grades 6 – 8