Mathematics

List of 6 items.

• Mathematics 5

  The fifth-grade math curriculum focuses on number sense in whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students work to make sense of mathematics using pictorial models, develop discipline in their written work, and gain mental math skills in all four operations. Students explore equivalence and proportionality with fractions, ratios, and percentages. Following their work on decimal operations, students practice converting within the metric system. Investigations into concepts such as order of operations, exponents, and prime factorization begin building students’ pre-algebra skills. Foundational geometry and spatial relations are also extended from the Lower School curriculum. Students add the area of triangles to their knowledge of 2-dimensional shapes. They measure angles with protractors and learn angle properties to determine missing angles in triangles and intersecting lines diagrams. Basic statistical measures are discussed along with a variety of real-world problem-solving situations.
  
  Throughout the year, the content is supplemented with a variety of manipulatives, games, videos, estimation exercises, and calculating and computing technology. In addition, students generate math projects to extend or integrate with other subject areas, such as science, art, and history. Past examples include creating line designs and tessellations, researching a mathematician, and working in collaboration with science classes on maple syrup or bottle rocket projects. Students end the year with an independent research project on a topic of their choice. This project culminates in a video presentation using Explain Everything on iPads.

• Mathematics 6

  This course emphasizes the development of students’ critical-thinking skills in mathematics. We build upon the foundations established in Math 5 regarding fractions, decimals, and whole number sense. Students use their knowledge of these three topics to make connections to percentages, probability, proportional thinking, and integers. Students also investigate two- and three-dimensional figures to expand their spatial reasoning and visual thinking skills.
  
  During our longer blocks, students are engaged in group activities, projects, exercises with manipulatives, games, and other non-routine materials such as Percento, Pentominoes, and Brain Maths puzzles to further extend their knowledge of mathematics. A variety of creative problems are consistently woven into the curriculum using the Primary Mathematics materials. Through our course work, students will have developed the basic pre-algebra skills necessary to advance to the next level of our Middle School math program.

• Mathematics 7

  During the first trimester, students build upon the foundations established in Math 6 regarding ratios, percentages, and integer operations. Students extend their knowledge in these areas by studying operations with signed decimals and fractions and studying statistic concepts involving mean, median, and mode. The second trimester introduces students to the fundamental algebraic concepts of evaluating and simplifying algebraic expressions. They then apply these skills to writing algebraic expressions for verbal phrases and analyzing algebraic equations and formulas. Students also solve basic algebraic equations.
  
  Students then apply these new algebraic tools to extend their knowledge in the areas of ratios and percentages. During the third trimester, students explore sequences and connect patterns in tables to equations and graphs. Students also apply algebraic problem-solving methods to geometric concepts, including finding missing angles, perimeters and areas of plane figures, and volumes and surface areas of solids. Students work on a project that incorporates a variety of trimester 3 concepts including scale drawing, rates, and proportional reasoning. These quotidian experiences enable students to develop general procedures and strategies for problem-solving. Student engagement is regularly enhanced through games, puzzles, and projects that capitalize upon longer block periods.

• Algebra I (Grade 7) & Algebra I (Grade 8)

  This is a course for students who have demonstrated that they are ready for a rigorous algebra course in the eighth grade, as well as for a select group of seventh graders who are ready to accelerate.  The first trimester covers one-variable equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, and relations and functions. The second trimester deals with systems of equations,, exponents, and polynomials operations. In the third trimester, students study factoring, solving, and graphing quadratic equations, and linear one variable and two-variable equations. 

• Linear Topics in Algebra 8

  This course is designed to reinforce the skills and extend the algebra concepts developed during Math 7. Over the year, students study the linear topics of the Algebra curriculum while also preparing for the ninth-grade physics course work. During the first trimester, students explore the relationships between linear tables, graphs, and equations by studying numerical sequences, break-even scenarios such as cost comparisons and revenue-expense situations, and distance-speed-time correlations. In the second trimester, students study simplifying algebraic expressions, solving one-variable linear equations, and applying these skills to various word problem scenarios. In the third trimester, they expand their knowledge for graphing lines, relating tables of values to slopes and intercepts. Students continue their work on linear graphing concepts and word problems for two linearly related variables. Student engagement is regularly enhanced through games, puzzles, and projects that capitalize upon longer block periods. Technology supports instruction throughout the year.

• Geometry 8

  This course assumes one year of algebra and some familiarity with the geometry taught earlier in middle school. The first trimester covers inductive reasoning, introduction to two-column proofs, properties of parallel lines, and basic constructions. During the second trimester, students study congruent triangles, similarity, the Pythagorean theorem, and special right triangles. In the third trimester, students learn about circles, the area of polygons and circles, surface area and volume, and trigonometry. In addition, students learn to interpret statistical graphs, including dot, stem, box and whisker plot, and scatter plots.