Mathematics Courses

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.

Math 7 Honors

This course is a more accelerated mathematics program than regular seventh grade mathematics. The pace is fast, and students are expected to work more independently. Problem solving, proportional reasoning, variable expressions, graph analysis, probability, and geometry are studied in depth to increase the students’ basic number sense and their ability to do abstract thinking. Emphasis is placed on the development of more sophisticated problem-solving and analytical skills.

Introduction to Algebra

This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra I. Special attention is given to graphs and graph analysis, an essential component of understanding algebra. Statistics, probability, and geometry are all covered to increase the students’ basic number sense and their ability to do abstract thinking. There will be a focus on problem solving in the real number system using algebraic expressions and simple expressions, enabling students to view the bigger picture and preparing them for future success in Algebra I.

MS Algebra I Credit: 1*

The Algebra I curriculum places an emphasis on conceptual understanding and algebra as a means of representation as a tool for problem solving. Manipulative skills, while essential, are a means, not an end. Topics in Algebra I include linear equations and inequalities, systems of open sentences, absolute value equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, linear, quadratic and exponential functions, polynomials and rational expressions, irrational numbers and radicals. * One upper school credit is awarded with the successful completion of Algebra I and the approval of the Math faculty.

Algebra I Honors Credit: 1*

The Algebra I curriculum places an emphasis on conceptual understanding and algebra as a means of representation as a tool for problem solving. Manipulative skills, while essential, are a means, not an end. Topics in Algebra I include linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, linear, quadratic functions, polynomials and rational expressions, irrational numbers and radicals. Since this is an honors course, there will be times when enrichment topics will be included. If time allows, some introduction to Geometry and Algebra II topics will be integrated.

* Eighth Grade Algebra I - Successful completion of this course, at the recommendation of the Mathematics Department, fulfills 1 required unit of mathematics for graduation.