our seventh grade program

Math

Our mathematics program is built on the interaction of a mastery of basic skills and a strong conceptual understanding of applications through problem solving. We integrate Math into other subject areas and incorporate the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics as set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Each lesson is a problem-solving experience and deals with important mathematical concepts that will help students develop and extend their mathematical thinking. Students are encouraged to collaborate with classmates and teachers and to describe their thought process in writing.

Seventh Grade Math emphasizes solving problems involving consumer applications, using proportional reasoning and gaining proficiency in computation with integers. Opportunities for the student to acquire the specialized vocabulary and language patterns of mathematics are provided throughout each strand. Problem solving continues to be integrated throughout all areas of study so that students can develop skills and strategies for solving problems in a variety of disciplines.

Throughout the Seventh Grade, students build a foundation of understandings in number, operation and quantitative reasoning; patterns, relationships and algebraic thinking; and probability. Within a well-balanced mathematics curriculum, the primary focal points are using proportional relationships in number; probability; and applying addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals, fractions and integers. Students use concepts, algorithms and properties of rational numbers to explore mathematical relationships and to describe increasingly complex situations. Problem solving, language and communication, connections within and outside mathematics, and formal and informal reasoning underlie all content areas in mathematics. Throughout the year, students use these processes, together with technology and other mathematical tools such as manipulative materials, to develop conceptual understanding and solve problems as they do mathematics.

Seventh Grade Math skills prepare students to:

Compare and order rational and irrational numbers
Compute problems involving integers, fractions, percentages and decimals using all four operations
Write and solve algebraic equations
Graph linear equations and inequalities
Use probability and statistics in real world applications
Solve problems involving ratio and proportion
Compare and change units of measure of areas, volumes, weights, times and temperatures
Use a Cartesian graph to graph ordered pairs and linear equations
Solve real-world problems using a variety of representations including graphs, tables and equations.
Use problem solving strategies to solve non-routine problems

Pre-Algebra
Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra students learn the basic tools of algebra including variables, integers and equations. Students learn the rules of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers. Parts of the coordinate plane are identified and used to locate and graph ordered pairs. Verbal phrases and expressions are translated into algebraic expressions and equations. Expressions are evaluated and simplified using the different properties for addition and multiplication.

Students use their knowledge of integers and simplifying expressions to solve one-step and multi-step equations and then explore divisibility rules while using them to determine the factors of a number. Students work on factoring composite numbers and monomials. Using this knowledge, students determine the GCF (greatest common factor) and LCM (least common multiple) of two or more numbers/monomials. Building on their understanding of monomials, students learn how to simplify, multiply, and divide positive and negative exponents. Students explore rational numbers, including positive and negative fractions and decimals, then solve equations with rational numbers.

Extending their knowledge of fractions, students learn to convert between fractions and decimals. Building on their ability to solve equations, students work on solving equations with variables on both sides, as well as grouping symbols. The students apply their knowledge of fractions, the order of operations and rational numbers to embark on a study of inequalities and learn that functions are a special type of relation and that linear equations are one of many ways to represent that function. The students concentrate on graphing and writing linear equations and inequalities. The students then delve into linear systems, determining at what point or points, if any, two lines intersect. As each concept is covered, real-life applications are discussed and word problems integrated.

Pre-Algebra students will learn to:

Compare, order, add, subtract, multiply and divides integers
Use the order of operations to evaluate expressions
Graph and identify ordered pairs on a coordinate plane
Construct and interpret scatter plots
Use tables and graphs to represent relations
Translate numerical expressions into verbal expressions
Translate verbal sentences into numeric and algebraic expressions and equations
Simplify algebraic expressions
Use the distributive property
Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities
Write multi-step equations to solve word problems
Determine whether one number is a factor of another
Finds the GCF and LCM of two or more numbers or monomials
Simplify algebraic fractions
Multiply and divide monomials
Write and evaluate expressions with exponents
Express numbers in standard and scientific notation
Compare and order numbers using scientific notation
Determine the prime factorization of composite numbers
Factor monomials
Convert fractions to decimals
Compare fractions and decimals
Write rational numbers as fractions
Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions
Identify equations that have no solution or many solutions
Write equations to solve word problems
Interpret answers to equations to answer word problems
Determine whether relations are functions
Find the slope of a line
Determine the slope and Y-intercept of a line
Write a linear equation
Solve a system of linear equations
Graph linear inequalities in two variables
Draw a best-fit line for a set of data
Use best-fit lines to make predictions about data