Mathematics

The overall goals of the mathematics program are to have students build confidence in their mathematical ability, develop problem-solving skills, and learn to communicate and reason mathematically as they gain an appreciation of the value of mathematics in their lives.

In particular, the curriculum expands students’ knowledge of numbers, computation, estimation, measurement, geometry, statistics, probability, patterns and functions, and the fundamental concepts of algebra. To some extent, the curriculum is spiral in nature; topics are revisited each year in order to deepen and extend the understanding of concepts and their application.

Fifth Grade Mathematics

Fifth grade math focuses on guiding students to discover patterns, rules, and other relationships involving objects, shapes, and whole numbers. Students will also study ancient number systems and experiment with using them for mathematics operations.

Sixth Grade Mathematics

After reviewing whole numbers and place value, students extend these concepts to operations with fractions and decimals. The use of concrete and pictorial models, measurement, and the metric system deepen the understanding of these concepts. Ratio, proportion, and percent are explored.

Seventh Grade Mathematics

Students refine their computational skills and gain a solid conceptual base for algebraic thinking. They study number theory, the order of operations for evaluating numerical expressions, and the relationship among fractions, decimals and percent. Other major topics include interpretation of data, decision-making based on statistical information, area and volume formulas, symmetry, reflection, rotation, and the effect of changes in dimension on geometric forms.

Eighth Grade Mathematics

The regular curriculum covers the drawing of conclusions from data, patterns in geometry, integers and variable expressions, algebraic equations and inequalities, graphing in the coordinate plane, functions, and rational numbers. Students also study data and relationships, functions, systems of equations and inequalities, and right triangle trigonometry. They practice solving linear functions and inequalities, as well as analyzing linear functions and their graphs.