Middle School Math & Science Class
Middle School Math & Science Curriculum
Middle School Math
Grade 5 places emphasis on solving problems, including those in context, with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students will develop an understanding of prime and composite numbers, determine the prime factorization of a whole number up to 100, and solve problems using order of operations. Students will also solve problems involving area, perimeter, and volume. Students will determine the probability of an outcome by constructing a model of a sample space. Students will engage with the data cycle using line plots and stem-and-leaf plots. The data cycle includes formulating questions to be explored with data; collecting or acquiring data; organizing and representing data; and analyzing data and communicating results. Students will be introduced to expressions with a variable to support the development of algebraic concepts.
Grade 6 provides a transition from the emphasis placed on whole number arithmetic to an introduction to algebraic thinking. It includes a focus on single-step and multistep problems involving operations with integers and positive rational numbers. Students will determine equivalency, compare, and order decimals, fractions, and percents. Students will solve problems involving area and perimeter and begin to graph in a coordinate plane. In addition, students will continue using the data cycle by applying it to circle graphs and develop concepts regarding measures of center. Students will solve linear equations in one variable, write inequality statements, and use algebraic terminology. Students will use ratios to compare two quantities and represent proportional relationships as a precursor to the development of the concept of linear functions.
Grade 7 continues to emphasize the foundations of Algebra. It addresses the representation and comparison of rational numbers using exponents, scientific notation, and square roots. Students continue to develop proficiency in operations with rational numbers and solving problems in context. Students will build on the concept of ratios to solve problems involving proportional reasoning. Students will solve problems involving volume and surface area and focus on the relationships among the properties of quadrilaterals. In addition, students will continue to apply the data cycle and extend the application to histograms. Probability is investigated through comparing experimental results to theoretical expectations. Students continue to develop their understanding of solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers. Students investigate proportional relationships and begin to develop a concept of slope as rate of change.
Grade 8 continues to build on the concepts needed for success in high school level Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics. Students will explore real numbers and the subsets of the real number system. Proportional reasoning is expounded upon as students solve a variety of problems. Students find the volume and surface area of more complex three-dimensional figures and apply transformations to geometric shapes in the coordinate plane. Students will verify and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to create a foundation for further study of triangular relationships in Geometry. Students will represent data, both univariate and bivariate, and continue to apply the data cycle and extend the application to boxplots and scatterplots. Students build upon algebraic concepts which include simplifying algebraic expressions, solving multistep linear equations and inequalities in one variable, and graphing linear functions.
Middle School Science
Grades 5-8
Students examine abstract concepts, providing a foundation in the disciplines of science. They explore the characteristics of their world, from the Earth’s placement in the solar system to the interactions of water, energy, air, and ecosystems on the Earth. As students more closely examine the use of resources, they also consider how their actions and choices affect the future habitability of Earth. Students continue to develop scientific skills and processes as they pose questions and predict outcomes, plan and conduct investigations, collect and analyze data, construct explanations, and communicate information about the natural world. Mathematics and computational thinking gain importance as students advance in their scientific thinking. Students continue to use the engineering design process to apply their scientific knowledge to solve problems.
Students will complete units involving the following areas:
Force, Motion, Energy, and Matter
Living Systems and Ecosystems
Earth and Space Systems
Scientific and Engineering Practices
Middle School Math
Grade 5 places emphasis on solving problems, including those in context, with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students will develop an understanding of prime and composite numbers, determine the prime factorization of a whole number up to 100, and solve problems using order of operations. Students will also solve problems involving area, perimeter, and volume. Students will determine the probability of an outcome by constructing a model of a sample space. Students will engage with the data cycle using line plots and stem-and-leaf plots. The data cycle includes formulating questions to be explored with data; collecting or acquiring data; organizing and representing data; and analyzing data and communicating results. Students will be introduced to expressions with a variable to support the development of algebraic concepts.
Grade 6 provides a transition from the emphasis placed on whole number arithmetic to an introduction to algebraic thinking. It includes a focus on single-step and multistep problems involving operations with integers and positive rational numbers. Students will determine equivalency, compare, and order decimals, fractions, and percents. Students will solve problems involving area and perimeter and begin to graph in a coordinate plane. In addition, students will continue using the data cycle by applying it to circle graphs and develop concepts regarding measures of center. Students will solve linear equations in one variable, write inequality statements, and use algebraic terminology. Students will use ratios to compare two quantities and represent proportional relationships as a precursor to the development of the concept of linear functions.
Grade 7 continues to emphasize the foundations of Algebra. It addresses the representation and comparison of rational numbers using exponents, scientific notation, and square roots. Students continue to develop proficiency in operations with rational numbers and solving problems in context. Students will build on the concept of ratios to solve problems involving proportional reasoning. Students will solve problems involving volume and surface area and focus on the relationships among the properties of quadrilaterals. In addition, students will continue to apply the data cycle and extend the application to histograms. Probability is investigated through comparing experimental results to theoretical expectations. Students continue to develop their understanding of solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers. Students investigate proportional relationships and begin to develop a concept of slope as rate of change.
Grade 8 continues to build on the concepts needed for success in high school level Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics. Students will explore real numbers and the subsets of the real number system. Proportional reasoning is expounded upon as students solve a variety of problems. Students find the volume and surface area of more complex three-dimensional figures and apply transformations to geometric shapes in the coordinate plane. Students will verify and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to create a foundation for further study of triangular relationships in Geometry. Students will represent data, both univariate and bivariate, and continue to apply the data cycle and extend the application to boxplots and scatterplots. Students build upon algebraic concepts which include simplifying algebraic expressions, solving multistep linear equations and inequalities in one variable, and graphing linear functions.
Middle School Science
Grades 5-8
Students examine abstract concepts, providing a foundation in the disciplines of science. They explore the characteristics of their world, from the Earth’s placement in the solar system to the interactions of water, energy, air, and ecosystems on the Earth. As students more closely examine the use of resources, they also consider how their actions and choices affect the future habitability of Earth. Students continue to develop scientific skills and processes as they pose questions and predict outcomes, plan and conduct investigations, collect and analyze data, construct explanations, and communicate information about the natural world. Mathematics and computational thinking gain importance as students advance in their scientific thinking. Students continue to use the engineering design process to apply their scientific knowledge to solve problems.
Students will complete units involving the following areas:
Force, Motion, Energy, and Matter
Living Systems and Ecosystems
Earth and Space Systems
Scientific and Engineering Practices
