Middle School Math Department
Philosophy: The Math Department strives to instill mastery of the math fundamentals students need to process abstract problem solving and to give students sufficient experiences with abstractions to enable them to advance to higher order operations. The department encourages varying levels of achievement to ensure personal success in higher level mathematics. Modern technology is used to encourage independent and group investigations of math concepts.
MATH 5The fifth grade math program provides strong mathematical content, which is learned through real-life activities, manipulatives, and visual models. The course, utilizing the Everyday Math Program, focuses on operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Other topics include percents, probability, geometry, measurement, introductory pre-algebra concepts, and data collection/graphing. A heavy emphasis is placed on problem solving and estimation strategies throughout each math unit. The program, based on the recommended National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, provides a hands-on approach where student interaction and discussion is encouraged. Students learn a variety of calculator strategies and are introduced to the Excel Spreadsheet program for data collection and graphing. Evaluation is based on tests, quizzes, and homework completion.
MATH 6Math 6 will continue the Everyday Math Program used in fifth grade. The emphasis is a hands on and interactive approach that focuses on basic operations with whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents. Students will use these skills in exploring other topics such as geometry, graphing, data interpretation, and basic algebra. Students will spend time on cooperative learning activities, games, puzzles, making connections to the real world through word problems, while reinforcing basic math skills. Evaluations will be based on test, quizzes, group work, and homework.
ADVANCED MATH 6Advanced Math 6 is open to selected students. The course is designed for students that have a mastery of basic operations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students will advance through the Everyday Math Program at an accelerated pace with more emphasis on enrichment of major concepts. Students will concentrate on data interpretation, percents, fractions, decimals, probability, geometry, and algebra concepts. Evaluation will be based on test, quizzes, group work, and homework.
MATH 7Math 7 is designed to be the bridge between basic math and algebra. The concentration is on solving algebraic equations including order of operations, integers, fractions, proportions, percents, exponents, formulas, and slope. Heavy emphasis is placed on the process and showing your work in an algebraic format. Calculator and computer use is incorporated into the curriculum. The goal of this course is to begin the algebraic foundation for next year's Math 8 or Algebra I -8. Evaluation is based on homework, quizzes, and tests.
ADVANCED MATH 7Advanced Math 7 is open to selected students. The course is designed for those students who have mastered basic math skills and are ready to move at an accelerated pace. The concentration is on solving algebraic equations including order of operations, integers, and exponents. In this course students begin to graph and write linear equations in slope–intercept form as well as identify, compute, and factor polynomials. Calculator and computer use is incorporated into the curriculum. The goal of this course is to establish the algebraic foundations for next year’s Algebra 1-8. Evaluation is based on homework, quizzes, and tests.
MATH 8Math 8 is designed to pave the way for mastery of more difficult skills and concepts enabling students to move on to the study of Algebra I. Throughout the year, students will deal with increasingly abstract concepts. Basic algebraic concepts will be introduced, explored, and some of the skills mastered. Thinking skills, problem solving, and basic math concepts (fractions, decimals, percents, etc.) are continually reinforced throughout the year. The emphasis will be to provide a strong background for Algebra I and future math courses. Evaluation during the year is based on homework, quizzes, various projects, computer activities, and tests.
ALGEBRA IAlgebra I-8 is open to select students and covers the basic principles of algebra topics: a brief review of pre-algebra, the language of algebra, integers, polynomial expressions, equations and inequalities, factoring, algebraic fractions, graphing linear and quadratic equations, radicals, systems of linear equations, some statistics, basic geometry review, and word problems. The main goal of this class is to provide the students with the math skills and background, critical thinking skills, and confidence needed to succeed in subsequent math and science courses. Evaluation is based on homework completion, quizzes, tests, and projects.
HONORS ALGEBRA IThis accelerated version of Algebra I-8 is open to selected students and is a rigorous study of the principles of algebra. Important topics include: the language of algebra, polynomial expressions, equations and inequalities, factoring, algebraic fractions, graphing linear and quadratic equations, radicals, systems of linear equations, some statistics, basic geometry review, and word problems. The main goal of this class is to provide students with the confidence, math skills, and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in other honors math and science courses. Evaluation is based on projects, quizzes, tests, and homework.