Students have spent the bulk of elementary mathematics developing their number sense and operational fluency. During middle school, students will use these skills to begin delving into rich, complex problems in various disciplines. Students begin to view mathematics as a compelling and valuable tool not only to solve problems but also to communicate their ideas.
The Beech Hill School mathematics curriculum was developed to align with the NCTM Standards and the Common Core Standards. Most mathematical topics will be taught in each course, but with increasing complexity. Each subsequent course will build upon student’s prior knowledge and then add to that body of knowledge. In order to develop strong mathematical understanding, The Beech Hill math curriculum and pedagogy focuses on mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and communication.
The following skills and processes will be included in all math classes:
- Connections
- Multiple Representations
- Communication and Discussion
- Problem-Solving and Applied Mathematics
- Technology Tools
- Estimation and Reasonableness
- Modeling
Below are lists of the major topics taught in each course:
Math 6
- Comparing rational numbers in different representations, especially fractions and percents
- Using ratios and proportions
- Understanding the relationship between operations, especially multiplication and division
- Computing fluently using rational numbers
- Number theory
- Using properties of numbers
- Exponents
- The coordinate plane
- Independent and dependent variable
- Basic geometric shapes, properties, and principles
- Angles
- Measurement
- Statistical variability and central tendency
Math 7
- Solving and graphing one variable equations and inequalities
- Writing expressions and equations to represent a relationship
- Continue to develop number sense and computational fluency, introducing irrational numbers
- Continue to develop understanding of ratios and proportionality, introducing similarity and congruence
- Radicals
- Fractional bases
- Generating equivalent expressions
- Constructing geometric figures
- Angles and lines
- Surface area and volume
- Comparing populations
- Probability Models
Pre-Algebra
- Conceptual understanding of a variable or symbolic expression
- Solving and graphing systems of linear equations or inequalities
- Using ratios, proportions, and percents
- Algebraic notation
- Radicals
- Exponents
- Scientific Notation
- Evaluating and comparing functions
- Pythagorean Theorem
- Transformations
- Surface area and volume
- Congruence and similarity
- Probability Models
Algebra
- Representing, analyzing, and comparing patterns in various representations
- Solving equations and inequalities
- Identifying linear and nonlinear functions
- Simplifying expressions
- Absolute value equations
- Polynomials and Rational Expressions
- Radical Equations
- Writing equations to represent a relationship or solve a problem
- Function notation
- Representing and comparing linear, quadratic, and exponential functions
- Trigonometric Functions