Sixth Grade:

The sixth-grade mathematics curriculum includes a study of patterns and number theory. Students learn the basics of number theory, some of which include prime and composite numbers, greatest common factors, and prime factorization. Building on their studies of decimals, students focus on comparing, ordering, and converting fractions and decimals. Students also learn to represent large and small numbers, using scientific notation. In their work with geometry, students work with 2-dimensional shapes and study shape properties. Special attention is paid to angle measures, line symmetry, rotational symmetry, and tessellations. Finally, students learn the derivations of both the value of Pi and the formula for finding the area of a circle.

Resources

Middle School Math Course I, Scott Forseman/Addison-Wesley

Connected Mathematics, Michigan State University

Seventh Grade:

The seventh-grade mathematics curriculum begins with the study of geometry. Students review concepts learned in sixth grade and further their knowledge of geometry through exploring the properties of and relationships between lines, angles, and polygons. Transformations, including translations, rotations, and reflections are studied to develop both an understanding of these properties and to practice visual-spatial skills. Dilations, the last of the transformations, are studied to address the topics of similar figures, ratios, and proportions. Students learn and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine lengths for finding perimeter and area.

Algebra is studied extensively in seventh grade. The focus is on the symbolic representation of problem situations and the manipulation rules that facilitate solving them. Rational number computation is practiced with an emphasis on rates, ratios, and percent problems. Students expand their knowledge of number systems as they examine integers on a number line and use the meaning of absolute value with integers to perform basic computation. Students work to understand and apply the identity and computational properties to create equivalent expressions. The seventh-grade mathematics curriculum ends with a study of statistics and probability. Graphic representations of data and the analysis of data are reviewed.

Resources

Transition Mathematics: Grade Seven, University of Chicago School Mathematics Project Transition Mathematics

Connected Mathematics, Michigan State University

Eighth Grade

The eighth-grade algebra curriculum begins with a review of procedures for evaluating expressions. Using basic properties, students examine their knowledge of simplifying algebraic expressions. Students differentiate between subsets of real numbers and perform basic operations on rational numbers. They solve multi-step equations and equations with variables on both sides. Children apply their knowledge of rational numbers to solve word problems that involve percents and simple interest.

Students study inequalities and absolute inequalities. They learn to graph solution sets and expand their existing knowledge of set theory. Students study polynomials and learn to add, subtract, and multiply polynomials to simplify rational expressions. Eighth-graders learn the many forms of linear equations and the various methods for graphing them. Students recognize the relationships between lines such as parallel and perpendicular. Finally, students integrate their understanding of geometry and algebra to solve distance problems, using the Pythagorean theorem.

Resources

Merrill Algebra 1: Applications and Connections, by Alan G. Foster, Joan M. Gell, and "Berchie W. Gordon