Mathematics

Middle School MATH PHILOSOPHY

Mathematics is a key component of the student learning experience during the middle school years. It permeates our students' daily lives and is evident in how they make numerical sense of the world around them. The acquisition of a strong mathematical mindset allows young learners to thrive in a dynamic 21st century global society. The goal of the middle school mathematics program is to provide all students with a rich and challenging learning experience that is based on best teaching practices and a commitment to excellence through a high-quality learner-centered curriculum.

Students thrive in academic environments where teaching inspires individual learners while cultivating a joy and appreciation of course content. The middle school mathematics program at all grade levels seeks to inspire students to become curious, confident, and creative problem solvers who can effectively communicate their thinking and readily adapt to a wide variety of mathematical contexts. This important skill set is developed in the classroom through differentiated instructional practices including a well-balanced use of technology and exposure to real-world problem-solving applications.

Teaching and learning in all middle school mathematics courses follow a comprehensive set of standards and benchmarks aligned to common assessments measuring learner progress and mastery of course content. Our curriculum reinforces and expands upon learning that has taken place at the lower school level. New and more complex concepts relating to spatial reasoning, data analysis and probability, linear relationships, and formal topics in algebra are introduced in preparation for advanced coursework beyond the TAS Middle School.

Mathematics in the middle school years can be viewed as a bridge that provides students with a smooth transition from the lower school grades to the demands of upper school coursework. It is a time when students strengthen their learning and confidence through the continued development of a strong conceptual foundation as topics taught in the classroom become increasingly abstract and require more complex problem-solving strategies. Different math courses at each grade level allow for a broad range of placement options. It is our goal to ensure that each student reaches his or her full learning potential in an engaging middle school mathematics course that is developmentally appropriate based on individual needs and previous learning experiences.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Math 6 (Grade 6 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 6th-grade Math 6 course is designed for students who have demonstrated success in grade 5 math but need further development of their mathematical foundation in number operations, proportional reasoning, and algebraic thinking through context-building problem-solving. This is achieved through a focus on computational fluency and mathematical literacy while inspiring students’ confidence and enjoyment of learning mathematics. The skills of decoding mathematical text and applying mathematical concepts are emphasized through oral communication of mathematical ideas on a daily basis. Study and organizational skills are emphasized throughout the course. Students in Math 6 are introduced to algebra concepts using whole numbers, decimals, number theory, fractions, ratios, proportions, percent, and integers.

Enriched Math 6 (Grade 6 Only)

Duration: 1 year

The 6th-grade Enriched Math 6 course is designed for students who have demonstrated grade-level proficiency in number operations, proportional reasoning, and algebraic thinking through context-building problem-solving. Students are exposed to a variety of learning activities that develop an understanding of the basic math concepts with respect to number operations, algebra, geometry, and probability. They are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have well-developed study skills, are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts, and are motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum. Students are given the opportunity to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts as well as develop computational and conceptual understanding through individual work, cooperative learning, and problem-solving. Students in Enriched Math 6 are introduced to algebra concepts using whole numbers, decimals, number theory, fractions, ratios, proportions, percent, integers, probability, and geometric relationships.

Pre-Algebra (Grade 7 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 7th-grade Pre-Algebra course is designed for students who are continuing to develop 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 where appropriate to aid in concept formation and application. Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas. Study and organizational skills are emphasized throughout the course. 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 (Grade 7 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 7th-grade Enriched Pre-Algebra course is designed for students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of math concepts with respect to number operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, and data analysis. They are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have well-developed study skills, are able to 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. Problem-solving is emphasized 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.

Advanced Algebra 1 (Grade 7 Only)

Duration: 1 year

The 7th-grade Advanced Algebra 1 course is designed for students who have demonstrated an exceptional understanding of advanced math concepts with respect to number operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data analysis, and probability at an earlier age than their grade-level peers. They are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have excellent study skills, are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts, and are highly motivated by challenging mathematics curriculum. Advanced Algebra 1 students are eager to engage in their learning and participate in large and small group problem-solving discussions. They often ask questions and pose problems that extend beyond the day-to-day lessons and course curriculum and are thus encouraged to think at higher levels of cognitive processing to include analysis and synthesis of mathematical ideas. Problem-solving and the extension of course topics is emphasized to ensure successful application of mathematical concepts in realistic contexts in a variety of formats to include in-class examples, homework practice, and assessments.

Algebra Foundations (Grade 8 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 8th-grade Algebra Foundations course is designed for students who are still developing their basic math and algebraic reasoning skills. 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. Study skills development and homework support are emphasized throughout the course. Each student is encouraged to discover and develop computational and conceptual understanding through individual work, cooperative learning, and problem solving. Students in Algebra Foundations study linear equations and inequalities, linear functions, exponents and roots, and polynomials.

Algebra 1 (Grade 8 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 8th-grade Algebra 1 course is designed for students who have demonstrated proficiency in their basic skills and have a solid framework of conceptual understanding of mathematics with a particular emphasis on algebraic thinking. Students in this course are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts and are motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum. Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas. Problem-solving is emphasized to ensure successful application of mathematical concepts in realistic contexts. Students in Algebra 1 study linear equations and inequalities, linear functions and systems, polynomials, quadratic equations, and radical and rational functions.

Enriched Algebra 1 (Grade 8 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 8th-grade Enriched Algebra 1 course is designed for students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of pre-algebra math concepts with respect to number operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data analysis, and probability. They have well-developed study skills and are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts with less time being spent on developing the foundation-level core concepts. They enjoy learning and are motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum. Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas. Problem-solving and the enrichment of course topics is emphasized to ensure successful application of mathematical concepts in realistic contexts in a variety of formats to include in-class examples, homework practice, and assessments. Students in Enriched Algebra 1 study linear equations and inequalities, linear functions and systems, exponential functions, polynomials, quadratic functions, radical and rational functions, and transformations.

Advanced Geometry (Grade 8 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 8th-grade Advanced Geometry course is designed for students who have a highly-developed understanding of algebraic concepts with respect to linear equations and inequalities, linear functions and systems, polynomials, quadratic functions, relations and functions. They are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have exceptional study skills, are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts, and are highly motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum. Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas. Students in Advanced Geometry study definitions used in deductive reasoning, principles of logic, properties of polygons, perpendicularity, congruence, similarity, trigonometry, circles, two and three-dimensional measurement, and transformations. An emphasis is placed throughout the duration of this course on the development and exploration of formal proofs and problem-solving with additional enrichment of select topics.

Enriched Advanced Geometry (Grade 8 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The Enriched Advanced Geometry course is designed for students who have a highly-developed understanding of algebraic concepts with respect to linear equations and inequalities, linear functions and systems, polynomials, quadratic functions, relations and functions. They are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have exceptional study skills, are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts, and are highly motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum. Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas. Students in Enriched Advanced Geometry study definitions used in deductive reasoning, principles of logic, properties of polygons, perpendicularity, congruence, similarity, trigonometry, circles, two and three-dimensional measurement, and transformations. An emphasis is placed throughout the duration of this course on the development and exploration of formal proofs and problem solving with additional enrichment of select topics. Students in this course typically enter Honors Advanced Algebra 2 in 9th-grade.

Advanced Pre-Algebra (Grade 6 Only)

Duration: 1 Year

The 6th-grade Advanced Pre-Algebra course is designed for students who have demonstrated an exceptional understanding of basic math concepts with respect to number operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, and probability. They are both creative and intuitive in their solutions, have excellent study skills, are able to work with abstract representations of mathematical concepts, and are highly motivated by a challenging mathematics curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore topics in greater depth. Reasoning, strategies, and connections are emphasized through written and oral communication of mathematical ideas. Problem-solving is emphasized to ensure successful application of mathematical concepts in realistic contexts. Students in Advanced Pre-Algebra study formal algebra concepts with whole numbers, decimals, integers, fractions, ratios, proportions, percents, number theory, rational numbers, and linear functions.