MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM

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In addition to textbooks, teachers utilize a variety of supplemental materials to cover topics relevant to an advanced study of mathematics.  The skills and strategies learned in previous years are reviewed and reinforced at each level.

 

To facilitate the transfer to and from public schools, Campus Middle School offers four levels of math, which are aligned with the State of Illinois Learning Standards for middle school and early high school.  Several factors determine the course in which a student is placed, including a written assessment test, previous coursework and parental input.

 

The curriculum emphasizes mathematical communication and notation, problem solving, working on teams, and making mathematical connections.  The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recognizes these areas as essential elements for all math courses.  Students are expected to develop and maintain a strong technical command and use tools (calculator, no calculator, graph, equation, etc.) and mathematical language appropriately.

 

Homework is assigned daily for further mastery of material covered in class. Tests are given after the completion of each topic or chapter for assessment and review, as well as to strengthen test-taking skills.  Through the material presented, teacher guidance, and their mathematical development, students begin to shift their thinking from the age-old “When are we going to have to use this?” to “When and how do we get to use this?”

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Pre-Algebra: The Math of Numbers

CMS provides comprehensive coverage and careful mathematical development of basic skills and understanding which serves as the foundation for advanced math studies.

Topics:  Operations with whole numbers, decimals, number theory, fractions, equations and inequalities, percent, statistic and probability, geometry.

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Algebra: The Math of Variables

The two-year algebra course results in the completion of the equivalent to Algebra I at the high school level.  During this work, students shift their thinking from a concrete level to a conceptual understanding.  Our curriculum focuses on a comprehensive study of variables and their properties.  Students learn traditional algebraic techniques and their applications to mathematics, science, and real world problems.

 

Algebra 1 Part 1

Topics:  Expressions and Equations (one and two variables), distribution, mathematical properties and axioms, polynomials and radicals, quadratic equations.

 

Algebra 1 Part 2

Topics:  Probability, Pythagorean Theorem, exponents, polynomials, rational and radical algebraic expressions, inequalities, functions, trigonometric functions.