Mathematics

Students in the middle school experience mathematics as active participants in the learning process.  The middle grades mathematics curriculum, developed by the Connected Mathematics Project and known as CMP, provides the foundation of an engaging and challenging study of mathematics for students in grades 6 through 8.  Working individually and in groups, exploring on their own and discussing with others, they learn important ways of thinking and analyzing to discover how the skills and concepts learned in their mathematics classes apply to the larger world.

Problem solving, communicating mathematically, reasoning, and making connections are threads that run through every year's study of mathematics. These skills and habits of mind are essential ingredients in the creation of mathematically literate people and are therefore woven into the curriculum at all levels.  Students regularly explore and solve non-routine problems, articulate their thinking, construct logical arguments to support their solutions, and find connections between the topics they are studying and other topics both within and outside of mathematics.

Grade 6

Students develop computational fluency in the four arithmetic operations with fractions, and decimals, and begin their study of percents. These skills are applied to a wide variety of problems throughout the year.  In geometry, students study various two- and three-dimensional geometric objects and their characteristics, solve a variety of problems involving perimeter and area, and begin to develop an understanding of proportionality and scaling through a study of rates and ratios.  A unit in statistics helps students learn to describe and represent data using various graphical formats.  Students build their knowledge of algebraic concepts and skills as they learn to simplify algebraic expressions and solve one-variable equations.

When students enter the middle school as 6th graders, every student will be enrolled in a 6th grade math class.  Throughout the first term of the school year, we will be assessing students on multiple measures.  If any student demonstrates that they are ready for acceleration beyond grade 6 math, we will work with the student's family to make a placement decision and potentially enroll them in 7th grade math by the end of the first term.   Please click on the "Grade 6 Math Placement" button above to learn more about our math placement process through our quick reference placement guide.  

Grade 7

The curriculum in Grade 7 provides an important bridge from more informal explorations with algebraic ideas to the more formal study of algebra.  Students continue to develop their problem-solving strategies with increasingly complex, multi-step problems and to explain their thinking, both orally and in writing. The primary focal points of this year are the study of proportional reasoning in both geometric and numerical contexts, and algebraic thinking and representation.  Students expand their computational skills to include all operations with signed numbers.  Units in plane and solid geometry and in statistics and probability give students experience with a multitude of additional mathematical topics such as volume and surface area of three-dimensional objects; measures of, variability in, and comparisons between data distributions; and problem-solving in probabilistic situations.

Grade 8

The focus in eighth grade is squarely on algebra. Students develop proficiency with algebraic reasoning in a variety of contexts and continue to make connections between mathematical topics and ideas.  While linear relationships are emphasized, students also study exponential and quadratic relationships.  They learn to represent and interpret relationships between variables in numerous ways--through equations, tables, graphs, and verbal descriptions--and to understand the connections between the various representations.  Students deepen their skills in simplifying expressions, solving equations, and applying their knowledge to solve a wide range of situational problems.  Students also study systems of equations, factoring and multiplying polynomials, the laws of exponents, and the Pythagorean Theorem.

Eighth grade is the first year in which students are separated into different classes based on their current level of mathematical understanding and achievement.  In March of their 7th grade year, teachers will work with students to recommend the most appropriate course for study in 8th grade. 

Algebra 8R is a rigorous course in Algebra 1.  In the Algebra 8R level, students will be asked to apply the skills and concepts that they have learned to varying and unfamiliar problems and situations both in the classroom and on assessments.  They will learn some content not contained in the Algebra 8 course.  They will be expected to do more independent work and learning, and  will move through the curriculum at a faster pace.  Algebra 8R is similar to the Honors level at the high school.  If satisfactorily completed  (Passing, D-, 60%, Y1 grade) Algebra 8R counts towards a student's Competency Determination for high school graduation per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 69, § 1D (i)

The Algebra 8 level is also a rigorous course in Algebra 1 that moves at a more moderate pace than the algebra 8R course.   Students will have more opportunities for guided practice than in the Algebra 8R course, but will still be expected to do independent work and take academic risks to move forward.   The teacher may provide more support to tackle challenging problems in the Algebra 8 level.  Algebra 8 is similar to the Advanced College Prep (ACP) level at the high school.  If satisfactorily completed  (Passing, D-, 60%, Y1 grade) Algebra 8 counts towards a student's Competency Determination for high school graduation per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 69, § 1D (i)

The Concepts in Algebra level is designed to help provide a solid algebraic foundation to students for whom mastery of mathematical skills and concepts has been challenging in the past.  The pace of this course allows for a great deal of practice and review and the focus is on algebraic problem solving and linear relationships, with a brief exploration of exponential relationships.  The Concepts in Algebra course is similar to the College Prep (CP) level at the high school.  It is important to note that Concepts in Algebra is not a complete Algebra 1 course, so this course does NOT count towards a students' competency determination for high school graduation.   Students who complete Concepts in Algebra at the Middle School will complete Algebra 1 during their 9th grade year, and Geometry during their 10th grade year.   If students satisfactorily complete Algebra 1 and Geometry at Wellesley High School (Passing, D-, 60%, Y1 grade) they will have met their Competency Determination for high school graduation per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 69, § 1D (i).