COURSE DESCRIPTION

         This eighth grade mathematics course will focus its instructional time on three critical areas:

(1)  Formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations.

 (2)  Grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships.

(3)  Analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.  Concepts, procedures, and vocabulary that students will need to be successful in upper-level algebra and geometry courses are introduced and continually practiced.  Problem solving strategies are also an integral part of the curriculum.