News from the Math Department
Math
6 started
the year with a ratio and proportion unit. We then focused on multiplying,
dividing, adding and subtracting decimals and fractions. In second semester, we
will use these skills in
expressions and equations, geometry and statistics. In May, the students will put their creative and innovative thinking skills to work and create original programs in Scratch. Throughout all of our math units, we use the 8 mathematical practices especially when we look at the relationship between math in the classroom and the real world.
expressions and equations, geometry and statistics. In May, the students will put their creative and innovative thinking skills to work and create original programs in Scratch. Throughout all of our math units, we use the 8 mathematical practices especially when we look at the relationship between math in the classroom and the real world.
6
PLUS -
During the spring semester, we enter the exciting world of Algebraic
expressions and equations. We will learn to write function rules and write
inequalities to represent real-world situations. We will also explore Geometric
concepts of area, volume and surface area.
Math 7 started
off with a unit on Ratios & Proportional reasoning. We will explore number
relationships and how factors and multiples, fractions, decimals and
percentages all show these relationships. In the fall, we explored operations
with rational numbers, including negative integers, fractions and decimal
quantities. In the spring, we will expand knowledge of Geometry and we will
analyze data in our Statistics and Probability unit. Math 7 also features explorations
of equations and expressions and a practical unit on consumer math. We
emphasize the Mathematical Practices, eight essential skills that will build
students' ability to solve problems and communicate their mathematical
understanding.
7
Accelerated
- Algebraic expressions, multi-step equations and an exploration of many
representations of functions are primary focuses of our spring semester. We
will also learn about congruency and similarity in geometric figures. We will
end the year with an investigation of statistics and probability.
Math 8 is in its
fifth year of implementation of the state standards for College and Career
Readiness. Students take their previous knowledge of fractions, and learn that
they are part of a set of numbers called rational numbers. They learn that
there are other numbers called irrational, which make up the set of real
numbers. A good part of the year will be devoted to relations between sets of
numbers, especially functions. Math 8 focuses on the linear equation, and the
use of slope to describe a rate of change. Students are asked to use critical thinking skills, as they
develop their ability to think, speak, and write about their knowledge of
mathematics.
Algebra is being
offered as a high school credit and is taught here at the middle school.
Students are building on their previous knowledge of functions as they master
new ways to study patterns and write equations for lines. The focus of first
semester of Algebra 1 was the Linear Equation, with second semester promising
exponential, polynomial and quadratic functions. During the second semester,
ask your child to describe nonlinear relations, as well as the use of
statistics in studying patterns.