Math

This course extends students' understanding and skill to compute rational numbers (decimals, fractions, negatives) and introduces algebraic and proportional reasoning. Many of the concepts and skills will have further reinforcement in a context requiring statistical and geometric (2D) reasoning. The areas of focus are all of the 6th grade as well as some of the 7th grade Common Core Content Standards: number systems, expressions and equations, ratios and proportions, two-dimensional geometry, and data analysis and statistics. The core of all our middle school courses is The Mathematical Practice Standards: reason abstractly and quantitatively; model with mathematics, attend to precision; use appropriate tools strategically, look for and make use of structure; look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. In 6th grade, students are heterogeneously grouped and work both independently and in cooperative group situations with instruction that is differentiated to appropriately challenge students. Extension and enrichment opportunities are available to all students.

The Grade 7 Concepts in Math course is a compacted course that teaches some Math 6 content, the majority of Math 7 content, and some Math 8 content within a single year. It is the second course in a three course sequence that covers 4 years of math in 3 years. Students enrolled in Grade 7 Concepts in Math will be on a path to take AP (Advanced Placement/college level) Calculus course in their senior year in high school.

The fundamental objectives of this Common Core-aligned course are to formalize and extend the mathematics students learned in their previous two courses in middle school. Students will start the year by working with linear systems. This includes solving algebraic equations, solving and graphing linear inequalities, graphing linear equations in different formats, and writing linear equations for a variety of contexts. Students will then move on to curved relationships, studying the applications of quadratic functions, graphing and solving quadratic equations, and using factoring and the quadratic formula.  Students will also learn how to simplify irrational and exponential expressions, solve equations with radicals, and graph the relationships on the coordinate plane. The course will prepare students for one of the Geometry courses offered, when entering high school.