Best-Fit Mathematics Placement We employ a multi-layered process to ensure that each student receives the best-fit mathematical placement each academic year. Each spring, all Middle School students take a readiness assessment for the next course in the mathematics sequence. The Mathematics Department will review the readiness assessment scores and contact families of students who are eligible to pursue an alternate pathway, including Honors courses in Upper School or bypassing the next course in the sequence. Criteria for exploring an advanced pathway (which means bypassing one or more courses in the math sequence) include a 93% or above on the readiness assessment, teacher recommendation, student interest, supplemental assessment data, and family preference. Students meeting the above criteria for bypassing a course in the math sequence will take the readiness assessment for the course in which they would like to enroll. Criteria for enrollment in Honors Integrated Math 1 include an 80% or above on the readiness assessment and an A in the first and second trimesters of Math 8. Best fit placement criteria and procedures are reviewed annually and are subject to revision.
Math 7 Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: Math 6 or equivalent OR best-fit mathematics placement While this course ultimately follows a pre-algebra sequence, basic skills are reviewed for mastery. Emphasis is placed on using variables, equations, functions, and graphs in the process of solving problems. Students will explore mathematics through the use of technology, hands-on activities and cooperative learning groups. Problems involving real world applications will help students develop critical thinking skills and connect the learning of mathematical concepts to the challenges of daily life. This course will provide students the opportunity to reinforce the fundamental skills needed for higher level math courses. Math 8 Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: Math 7 or equivalent OR best-fit mathematics placement This course is designed to introduce algebraic concepts in a manner that gives students the opportunity to mature mathematically without the pressures of an accelerated course. Major emphasis is given to understanding the language of algebra, exponents, solving equations and inequalities, graphing, and factoring. Students will participate in cooperative learning groups to apply problem- solving skills to understand the relationship between algebra and real world challenges. Students will utilize graphing calculators and computer programs to illustrate concepts and enhance understanding. Fundamentals of Math 8 Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: Math 7 or equivalent AND recommendation of Student Support Services This course is designed to hone the foundational skills needed to be successful in algebra. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, integers, exponents, proportions, equations, inequalities, and functions. Additionally, the Standards for Mathematical Practices (making sense of problems and persevering in solving them, reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others, modeling with mathematics, using appropriate tools strategically, attending to precision, looking for and making use of structure, and looking for and expressing regularity in repeated reasoning) are woven into the activities and assessments throughout the course. Designed to have a low student to teacher ratio, this course is focused on making arithmetic and algebraic concepts approachable and accessible for students who are building their foundational math skills.
The Mathematics Course Sequence
The University Liggett School mathematics program follows the course sequence below, pursuant to the best-fit mathematics placement policy (see chart on previous page).
Math 6 Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: None
This course places an emphasis on strengthening computational skills with integers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Geometric terminology and concepts such as angle measure, perimeter, and area will be introduced and explored for two-dimensional figures. Students will also be introduced to ratios, proportions, statistics and data analysis. Over the course of the year, students will develop familiarity with equations, inequalities, and graphing with one and two variables.
43 Middle School
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