Math

The sixth grade mathematics program provides students with opportunities to develop and refine a strong foundation in mathematics to support future study.  Each aspect of the curriculum will improve conceptual understanding as students are provided with experiences to model and apply mathematical concepts and rules through real-world applications.  Equipped with a deeper understanding of number systems, students will explore topics relating to decimals, fractions, and ratios.  In preparation for subsequent courses, students will also investigate and represent expressions, equations, and inequalities.  A study of geometry will include topics such as area, volume, and surface area using models and nets.  Ratios and rates are explored and applied to finding percent and measurement conversions.   Statistics will focus on concepts such as investigating statistical questioning, creating a variety of data displays, and analyzing measures of center and variability.  The use of technology throughout the course will enable visualization of results, allow students to explore data sets and promote the discovery of appropriate rules and formulas.  

6th Grade Honors Course Description  

The sixth grade honors mathematics program provides students with opportunities to develop and refine a strong foundation in mathematics to support future study.  Each aspect of this rigorous curriculum will improve conceptual understanding as students are provided with experiences to model and apply mathematical concepts and rules through real-world applications.   The curriculum will provide increased rigor and depth into topics such as rational numbers, including integers, signed decimals and signed fractions.   Equipped with a deeper understanding of rational numbers, students will solve real life problems using algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities.  A study of geometry will include topics such as area, volume, and surface area using models and nets.  Ratios and rates are explored and applied to finding percent and measurement conversions.   Statistics will focus on concepts such as investigating statistical questioning, creating a variety of data displays, and analyzing measures of center and variability.  The use of technology throughout the course will enable visualization of results, allow students to explore data sets and promote the discovery of appropriate rules and formulas.  

The seventh grade mathematics program is aligned to the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards and will focus on the following critical areas:  developing an understanding of the operations with rational numbers, developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships, expressions and linear equations, solving problems involving scale drawings, geometric constructions, surface area and volume, and drawing inferences about populations based on samples in their study of probability and statistics.  Concepts taught will emphasize procedural skill along with conceptual understanding in the context of real world problem-solving.  Various forms of technology may be used as critical thinking skills are expanded to prepare students for future coursework.    

Pre-Algebra Course Description 

The Pre-Algebra course is aligned to the grade 8 Maryland College and Career Ready Standards.  Students will be challenged to find solutions to real world problems as they analyze equations, systems of equations, functions, and multi-dimensional figures in preparation for Algebra I.  Students will apply graphical and algebraic methods to analyze and solve systems of linear equations in two variables, create multiple representations of equations in order to compare and analyze proportional relationships, and examine linear models with bivariate measurement data.  Students will develop a deeper understanding of functions and how they relate to equations and slope.  Students will use the Pythagorean Theorem in solving real world problems, determine characteristics of similar and congruent figures, and apply transformation rules and formulas to geometric figures.  

The Pre-Algebra (grade 8) mathematics program is aligned to the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Students will examine real world problems as they solve equations and systems of equations and gain a deeper understanding of mathematical functions in preparation for Algebra I.  Multiple representations, proportional reasoning, slope, and linear models with bivariate measurement data will be emphasized. Properties of exponents will be used to perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation. Students will develop an understanding of radicals to apply the Pythagorean Theorem to solve real world problems, determine characteristics of similar and congruent figures, and apply transformation rules and formulas to geometric figures.

Algebra I deepens and extends the understanding of linear and exponential relationships by comparing and contrasting them with each other and with quadratic functions and by applying linear models to data. Students will engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and applying quadratic functions, as well as solve systems of equations involving linear, exponential, and quadratic functions. In addition, students will create and solve equations and inequalities and examine data sets in one and two variables. Students will expand their experience with functions to include more specialized functions – absolute value, step, and piecewise defined functions. The Standards for Mathematical Practices will be applied throughout the course to help students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that requires students to make sense of problem situations. This curriculum is aligned to the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Students will take the Maryland Assessment for Algebra I at the completion of this course.

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra