Math Program of Studies

GRADE 6

Level III Accelerated Sixth Grade Mathematics   Scope and Sequence
Prerequisite: 18 or higher on the Grade 6 Math Level Placement Rubric This program is targeted for students who quickly pick up new concepts and have an interest in exploring mathematics. The depth of the content, as well as rigorous pacing, requires additional time and effort outside of class. Students have weekly online assignments reinforcing current skills and more challenging word problems as homework. All essential sixth grade math standards are covered, as well as some above-grade level standards. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency of the content in Level 3 Sixth Grade Math are ready to enroll in Accelerated Pre-Algebra for 7th grade.

Level II Sixth Grade Mathematics   Scope and Sequence
Prerequisite: 9 or higher on the Grade 6 Math Level Placement Rubric This course is designed for the general sixth grade population. Students have weekly online assignments reinforcing current skills and writing assignments as homework. All sixth grade math standards are covered. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency of the content in Level 2 Sixth Grade Math are ready to enroll in Pre-Algebra for 7th grade.

Level I Introductory Sixth Grade Mathematics Scope and Sequence
This course is designed for students who have gaps in previous skills learned in elementary school. These include calculating with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, as well as solving multi-step problems. The class size is smaller, thus providing additional individual student attention. Students have individualized online homework to practice previously taught skills that need reinforcement. Students need continuous teacher support during introduction of the skill, during practice of the skill, and even sometimes during assessment of the skill. Essential skills are addressed through examples and practice that incorporate numbers that make the concepts easier to comprehend and are a match for students’ current performance level. Students who excel independently in this program will be prepared to move into Pre Algebra for 7th grade, while others who are still working below grade level will continue in the Level I program the following year.

GRADE 7

Level III Accelerated Pre-Algebra Scope and Sequence
Prerequisite: Modes of all 3 and 4 and no modes of 2 in Level 3 Sixth Grade Math, or 85% modes of 4 and no modes of 2 in Level 2 Sixth Grade Math, or teacher approval. This program is targeted for students who quickly pick up new concepts and have an interest in exploring mathematics. It is designed to quickly move students from concrete mathematical applications to an abstract understanding of algebra. The depth of the content, as well as rigorous pacing, requires additional time and effort outside of class. Students have nightly homework assignments reinforcing current skills as well as more challenging word problems. All essential seventh grade math standards are covered, as well as some above-grade level standards. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency of the content in Accelerated Pre-Algebra will be prepared to succeed in Accelerated Algebra for 8th grade.

Level II Pre-Algebra   Scope and Sequence
Prerequisite: Modes of all 3 and 4 and no modes of 2 in Level 2 Sixth Grade Math, or all modes of 3 or 4 with independence and no modes of 2 in Level 1 Sixth Grade Math, or teacher approval. This course is designed for the general seventh grade population and has been carefully sequenced to provide a smooth transition to algebra by helping students move from concrete mathematical applications to an abstract understanding of algebra. All seventh grade math standards are covered in this course. The major topics include proportional reasoning, rational number operations, expressions and equations and three-dimensional geometry. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency of the content in Pre-Algebra are ready to enroll in Algebra I in eighth grade.

Level II Pre-Algebra with Math Boost
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Students who are identified by their sixth grade teachers as needing additional support to succeed in the Pre Algebra course in seventh grade take MathBoost along with their regular Pre Algebra class. They attend a small group tutoring session twice per week when most might otherwise be in study hall. These sessions provide individualized attention in their areas of difficulty with understanding and retaining previously taught skills. They also help move students toward dealing with the increasingly abstract nature of the 8th grade Algebra I course.

Level I Introductory Pre-Algebra Scope and Sequence
This course is designed for students who need extra support around math content and moves students toward meeting grade level expectations. The class size is smaller, thus providing additional individual student attention. This class provides continuous teacher support during introduction of the skill, during practice of the skill, and even sometimes during assessment of the skill. When possible, the course closely parallels the topics of the Level II class. Students will address all essential standards from the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, either in grade-level or modified form, depending on the particular student’s needs. Students who excel independently in this program will be prepared to move into Algebra for 8th grade, while others who are still working below grade level will continue in the Level 1 program the following year.

GRADE 8

Level III Accelerated Algebra I Scope and Sequence
Prerequisite: Modes of all 3 and 4 and no modes of 2 in Accelerated Pre-Algebra, or 85% modes of 4 and no modes of 2 in Pre-Algebra, or teacher approval. This program is targeted for students who quickly pick up new concepts and have an interest in exploring mathematics. The depth of the content, as well as rigorous pacing, requires additional time and effort outside of class. Students have nightly homework assignments reinforcing current skills and more challenging word problems. All essential eighth grade math standards are covered, as well as above-grade level standards. Students who master the content of Accelerated Algebra I are prepared to succeed in Honors Geometry as freshmen.

Level II Algebra I   Scope and Sequence
Prerequisite: Modes of all 3 and 4 and no modes of 2 in Pre-Algebra, or all modes of 3 or 4 with independence and no modes of 2 in Introductory Pre-Algebra, or teacher approval. This course is designed for the general eighth grade population. Real-life situations are included to demonstrate major ideas and provide a setting for practice of skills. All eighth grade math standards are covered in this course. The major topics include geometric transformations, solving and graphing linear equations and systems, integer exponents, and a heavy emphasis on functions. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency of the content in Algebra I are ready to enroll in College Geometry during their freshman year of high school.

Level I Introductory Algebra Scope and Sequence
This course is designed for students who need extra support around math content and moves students toward meeting grade level expectations. The class size is smaller, thus providing additional individual student attention. This class provides continuous teacher support during introduction of the skill, during practice of the skill, and even sometimes during assessment of the skill. When possible, the course parallels the topics of the Level II class, but students in the Intro class receive math instruction five days a week. Students will address all essential standards from the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, either in grade-level or modified form, depending on the particular student’s needs. Students who independently demonstrate proficiency of the grade-level standards are ready to enroll in College Geometry during their freshman year. Students who still benefit from teacher support will be enrolled in either Intermediate Algebra or Intro Geometry.