Mathematics

Suggested Course Sequence

Steps to Achieving the Highest Levels of Mathematics

Overview

Because of the sequential nature of learning mathematics, course placement is based on student effort, teacher recommendation, standardized test scores, and parent/student input. To remain on grade-level, students need to participate in three math credits during their freshman and sophomore years, especially to complete Algebra I, Parts I and II and Euclidean Geometry. Students will need a graphing calculator; all are encouraged to use the Texas Instruments series. The TI-81-86 graphing series is recommended for Algebra I pt. I, and beyond. All students are strongly encouraged to study mathematics beyond tenth grade at the most challenging levels.

Mathematics: Meeting New Challenges  Grade 7

Mathematics in grade seven continues to develop the topics learned in elementary school, with an emphasis on problem solving using algebraic skills. Students review basic understanding of fractions and decimals; a sound grasp of multiplication facts is a must. Students participate in the American Mathematics Competition Examination, as well as taking the NECAP and MAP assessments. Based on NECAP scores, districts assessments, and teacher recommendation, students can enroll in Algebra I: Part 1 and earn high school credit.

Pre-algebra  Grade 8

Qualifying students may participate in this course in grade 7. Topics covered include numbers and operations, powers and exponents, order of operations, scientific notation, prime factorization, rational and irrational numbers, ratios, and percent of change. In algebra, students identify inverse operations, distributive property, graphing equations, and inequalities, scale models, identify congruent and similar figures, transformations, Pythagorean Theorem, ratios, circles, and classify and sketch solids. In data analysis and probability, students find outcomes and odds, and draft appropriate data displays. Problem-solving is integrated throughout the course. District assessments include NECAP and MAP. The eighth grade participates in the American Mathematics Competition-8.

Algebra I: Part I  1 credit Grades 8-12  Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Pre-algebra and teacher recommendation

This course develops ability in the real number system. Combining like terms and balancing equations leads to expertise in solving and graphing linear functions. Students use graphing calculators extensively as an aid in learning about slope as a rate of change and in solving linear systems. Problem solving skills are integrated into all topics and students complete the first seven chapters of the text, Algebra I (McDougall, Littell-Larson Ed.)

Algebra I: Part II 1 credit Grades 9-12 Math credit.

Prerequisite(s): Algebra I: Part I and teacher recommendation

This course extends a student’s ability to work with algebraic expressions and functions. The rules for exponents are learned, leading students to more sophisticated equations (quadratic, exponential, radical) and graphs (parabolas, exponentials, hyperbolas). Graphing calculators are used extensively to understand and learn graphing translations. Factoring and division techniques are developed in order to solve higher degree equations. Permutations and combinations are taught as part of more advanced probability activities.

Euclidean Geometry  1 credit Grades 9-12  Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Algebra 1: Part I

Students demonstrate high level reasoning by writing proofs and solving problems dealing with points, lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, and other shapes. Students study area, perimeter, and volume and the connections between the three dimensions. Students will complete a variety of two- and three-dimensional hands-on projects. The texts used are Geometry (Houghton, Mifflin) and Flatland (Abbott).

Algebra II  1 credit Grades 10-12 Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Algebra I: Part II

This course extends the study of previous algebra courses and assumes a strong working knowledge of those topics. It encompasses the study of functions including logarithmic functions, irrational and complex numbers, polynomial equations, analytic geometry, conic sections, and series and sequences. The text is Algebra II (McDougall, Littell).

Pre-calculus 1 credit Grades 11-12 Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Algebra II and Geometry

This course completes the preparation for college-level calculus. Students develop skills in advanced function analysis and the use of these functions for modeling applications. Concepts in trigonometry are extended to include circular and inverse functions. Analytic trigonometry is studied to apply in vector, parametric, and polar applications. Conic sections are reviewed and extended as are topics in discrete mathematics. Students use graphing calculators on a daily basis.

AP Calculus  1½ credits Grades 11-12  Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Pre-calculus and teacher recommendation

This full-year course prepares students for The College Board Advanced Placement Examination,
level AB, which is equivalent to one semester of college calculus. This course includes a brief review of the algebraic and transcendental functions and a study of topics in the differential and integral calculus. Students taking this class participate in the AP Calculus exam. The primary text is Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic, 3rd ed. (Finney, Demana, Waits, Kennedy).

Math Workshop  1 credit Grades 9-10 Elective credit

Prerequisite(s): Teacher recommendation

This class is designed to prepare a student for algebra at the high school level. The course is a review of necessary and fundamental arithmetic skills. Students learn to cope with the frustrations of mathematics and pursue a variety of strategies to unlock the principles and procedures of mathematics. Organizational and study skills are emphasized in this elective course.

Introductory Algebra  1 credit Grades 9-10 Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Teacher recommendation

In this course, students investigate algebra using different methods and strategies to solve problems. Algebraic concepts are applied to real-world situations. Students learn the language of algebra to solve simple equations, work with algebraic expressions, and communicate mathematical thinking to others. Students use graphing and other data analysis to organize and understand mathematics. The text used is Algebra: Concepts and Applications (Glencoe McGraw-Hill).

Discovering Geometry  1 credit Grades 10-12 Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Algebra I: Part I or Introductory Algebra

This course is an introduction to the practical aspects of geometry. Topics include the properties of angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and other two-dimensional shapes, area, perimeter, volume, ratio and proportion, geometric construction, and right angle trigonometry. Students complete a variety of two- and three-dimensional hands-on projects. The text used is Discovering Geometry: An Intuitive Approach (Key Curriculum).

Consumer Math  1 credit Grades 11-12 Math credit

Prerequisite(s): Teacher recommendation

Topics in this course relate to problems that consumers face in everyday life. Topics include: housing, income and expenses, taxes, consumer credit, banking and loans, insurance, and investments. Solid arithmetic skills are important. A calculator is strongly recommended. The text is Consumer Mathematics (Houghton, Mifflin).