Middle School Curriculum Posts

Pre-Algebra: The Grade 7 Pre-Algebra course is designed for students who are developing their basic mathematical skills while building a framework of conceptual understanding of number operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, and data analysis.  Real-world problem solving is used to aid in concept formation and application.  Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas, as are study and organizational skills.  

Each student is encouraged to discover and develop computational and conceptual understanding through individual work, cooperative learning, problem-solving and on-going reflection. Students in Pre-Algebra study topics in variables, expressions and integers, solving multi-step equations, divisibility and factors, exponents, rational numbers and equations, ratio and proportions, percent equations and applications, linear relationships, square roots, the Pythagorean theorem, two and three-dimensional measurement, and data and statistics.  The exercise, practice problems, and assessments in each unit of study range in difficulty from a basic level to the more advanced and challenging level of understanding.   

Enriched Pre-Algebra: The Grade 7 Enriched Pre-Algebra course is geared toward students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of math concepts with respect to number operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, and data analysis.  These students are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have well-developed study skills, can work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts, are motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum and strive for personal development by means of on-going reflection.

Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas as is problem-solving, to ensure successful application of mathematical concepts in realistic contexts.  Students in Enriched Pre-Algebra study topics in variables, expressions and integers, solving multi-step equations and inequalities, divisibility and factors, advanced work in exponents, rational numbers and equations, ratio and proportions, percent equations and applications, linear relationships, square roots, the Pythagorean theorem, two and three-dimensional measurement, and data and statistics.  The exercise, practice problems, and assessments in each unit of study range in difficulty from a basic level to the more advanced and challenging level of understanding.