Middle School Course of Study
Mathematics Middle School requirement: Math 6 or Math 6 Honors, Math 7 or Math 7 Honors, and either Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, or Algebra I Honors. *Credit toward graduation is awarded to 8th grade students who successfully complete Algebra I or Algebra I Honors. Department Philosophy: The conviction of the Mathematics Department is that one learns mathematics best through understanding and practice. There must be a proper balance between theory, practice and application. The student must be actively involved in learning. An environment that allows the student maximum participation in discovery is essential. It is important that the student be significantly challenged according to his intellectual ability and maturity. Graphing calculators and computers are learning tools used throughout the mathematics curriculum. Math 6 Sixth grade is the year when students begin to apply the basic skills they learned in elementary school to mathematical concepts. This course focuses on understanding math as a concept rather than as a set of numbers and formulae to be memorized. Sixth grade focuses on the rational numbers, diving heavily into fractions and decimals at the beginning along with integers and ending with the equation and graphing skills they will need in seventh grade. Other topics that will be covered are geometry, percentages and the ability to manipulate numbers back and forth between decimals, fractions and percentages. The format of the class includes lectures, class discussions, class activities and group work. Math 6 Honors Sixth grade is the year when students begin to apply the basic skills they learned in elementary school to mathematical concepts. This course focuses on understanding math as a concept rather than as set of numbers and formulae to be memorized. The honors level goes a step deeper in revealing the significance of each mathematical process. Students are challenged by moving through the curriculum at a faster pace and covering topics that the sixth grade math class does not cover. Students are expected to take part in extracurricular math activities such as the Math Counts program where students practice once a week throughout the school year for the competition held in February. Sixth grade honors math covers the same concepts as sixth grade math, focusing on integers, fractions, decimals, percents and the ability to manipulate between the three different representations. The class also covers geometry, graphing, and equation skills such as solving both one and two step equations. Math 7 The seventh grade math course focuses heavily on equations. Students start the year by gaining a deep understanding of integers, decimals, and order of operations. As the year progresses, students use these skills along with basic algebraic properties to solve equations and other types of mathematical problems. The goal is to have students understand how to solve problems rather than memorizing formulae. Students will gain a deep understanding of directly proportional relationships and apply this proportional reasoning to topics such as percentages, geometry and early algebra skills. The format of the class includes lectures, class discussions, class activities and group work.
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