Middle School Math

Our main course of study in the seventh and eighth grades is algebra. The curriculum remains flexible and responsive to address gaps in prerequisite knowledge and seize opportunities for connecting our curriculum to real-world applications. Success in algebra builds upon the ability to recognize patterns and a strong number sense, including an intuitive understanding of multiplication and fractions.

Grade 7 begins with a deep dive into number theory and the concepts of ratios and proportions, enabling students to begin graphing and solving direct proportion problems. Students will also be exposed to various forms of numbers, including integers, fractions, and decimals. This leads to more study of algebraic investigations into other linear relationships. Students learn to solve one- and two-step equations in preparation for more rigorous coursework in 8th grade. The year finishes with a study of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and representations.

In grade 8, students will focus on integrating high school mathematics, beginning with investigating the distance between two points on a number line, leading to an understanding of absolute value and then studying its symmetry and transformations. Students learn about operations with exponents and roots, which leads naturally into an introductory study of quadratic equations and their applications. Through studying the Pythagorean theorem and its applications, students will understand the distance between two points on a graph. Throughout the year, students are asked to present their ideas to the class and develop their mathematical communication skills. 

To be successful in mathematics, it is essential for students to:

  • Be willing to struggle to create their own understanding

  • Remember that although the answer is generally either right or wrong, there is always more than one way to arrive at it; students can find the way that makes sense for them 

  • Practice by doing homework, not simply to complete it, but to identify misunderstandings and areas of confusion... and then asking for clarification from friends, parents, siblings, and teachers

  • Learn to ask specific questions

  • Keep their work organized, including writing down the details of problems and process

  • Seek help when needed