Math 7A Conversion

Q1: What additional topics are taught Math 7A that are not taught in Math 7? 

A1: It's important to recognize that the entirety of Math 7A is taught at a fundamentally different level than Math 7. While we can identify approximately a total of about four additional units covered in Math 7A, the distinction goes beyond just extra content. All 7th-grade topics in Math 7A are taught with deeper connections to the subsequent Algebra 1 curriculum, resulting in more complex problem-solving than in Math 7. Ultimately, Math 7A offers a distinct learning experience, as it follows its own unique curriculum. That said, here are the additional topics covered in Math 7A that are not in Math 7:

• Solve one-step multiplication/division equations with rationals (8.EE.7)

• Solve two‐step equations with rationals (use calculator) (8.EE.7)

• Combining like terms and begin to solve simple equations combining like terms (8.EE.7)

• Distributive property (8.EE.7b)

• Multi‐step equations with combining like terms (with variables on one side of the equal sign) and distributing

• Solve equations with variables on both side of the equal sign (8.EE.7b)

• Solve multi‐step equations with combining like terms (with variables on both side of the equal sign)

• Solve one‐step equations with rationals (use calculator) (8.EE.7)

• Solve two‐step equations with rationals (use calculator) (8.EE.7)

• Solve rational (fractions) equations involving CLT, distribution, and moving the variable (8. EE 7b)

• Solve rational (fractions) equations involving CLT, distribution, and moving the variable (8. EE 7b)

• Similar triangles finding sides using proportions (8.EE.5) and applications of similar triangles (8.EE.5)

• Angle relationship‐ supplementary, complementary, vertical, adjacent (7.G.5), and perpendicular lines (8.G.5)

• Parallel lines cut by a transversal using numerical values (8.G.5)

• Parallel lines cut by a transversal using expressions and equations values (8.G.5)

• Triangles ‐ Classification by sides and angles, finding the missing angle of a triangle (include inequality theorem)

• Exterior angles incorporated into Lessons 2.8 and 2.9 (8.G.5)

• Sum of the interior angles of a triangle ‐‐ with algebra including verbal problems with three let statements Complementary and Supplementary angle‐‐ with algebra including verbal problems with three let statements

• Identify, discover, and apply the volume formulas for a cone (8.G.9).

• Identify, discover, and apply the discover volume formulas for a sphere (8.G.9).

• Applications with mixed shapes (8.G.9)

• Reflections over the axes (8.G.3)

• Reflections over any line (8.G.3)

• Rotations: 90 deg. clockwise, 90 deg. counter-clockwise (270 deg rotation), 180 degree. (8.G.3)

• Translations (8.G.3) Translations ‐‐ write the rule (8.G.3)

• Dilations, similarity, and congruence (8.G.3; 8.G.4; 8.G.5)

• Combinations of transformations (8.G.2)

• Identify multi‐step transformations (8.G.2)

• Graphically organize the following number systems: Natural/Counting Numbers (i.e., Whole Numbers, Integers, Rational Numbers, Irrational Numbers, and Real Numbers); know the definitions and classify Rational and Convert repeating and terminating decimals into fractions ‐ use an algebraic method for repeating decimals Convert a fraction into a decimal (8.NS.1); compare and order rational and irrational numbers (8.NS.2)

• Find square roots and cube roots (using technology); know how to square and cube a number (8.EE.2); approximate a square root between two integers and locate them on a number (8.NS.2)

• Explain a proof of the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse (8.G.6); given the side lengths of a triangle, prove that it is (or is not) a right triangle (this is the converse)

• Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the hypotenuse or the legs (8.G.7)

Q2: What are the dates and time that the summer Math 7A Conversion will be offered?

A2: Math 7A Conversion is a one-period class within the seven-week summer school program offered sometime within the 7:30 AM – 1:04 PM summer school window. Please note that most summer school weeks follow a four-day schedule. We are unable to know the exact time that this one-period course will be offered until a few weeks prior to summer school, as enrollment and potential scheduling conflicts may impact the period it runs. For more details and the exact dates of summer school, please visit the district's summer school webpage: 

https://www.williamsvillek12.org/departments/instruction/summer-school/elementary-and-middle-school-program. 

Q3: Is my child eligible for the summer Math 7A Conversion course, and if so, how do we go about enrolling in this course? 

A3: Any student who successfully completes Math 7—or even a current Math 7A student who may benefit from strengthening their skills—is eligible to enroll in the Math 7A summer Conversion course. All participating students are subject to summer school attendance policies and grades. However, as with any non-remedial summer school course, if enrollment is too low, there is a possibility that the course may not run. Nevertheless, Williamsville has a long-standing practice of allowing students to pursue accelerated math beginning in 7th grade. However, this should not be confused with the prerequisite for enrolling in Algebra 1R/A in 8th grade. While any student may enroll in an accelerated Math 7 course without prerequisites, Algebra 1R/A requires successful completion of an accelerated Math 7 course. This prerequisite ensures that students have received the necessary curriculum, as the middle school acceleration sequence condenses three years of math into two. In addition to speaking with your child's math teacher, please see your child's counselor to enroll. 

Q4: Can a student who successfully completes Math 7 but does not attend the summer Math 7A Conversion course still choose to accelerate to Algebra 1R/A in 8th grade?

A4: No. Our middle school math acceleration curriculum follows a two-year sequence that condenses three years of math into two, making an accelerated Math 7 course a required prerequisite of Algebra 1R/A in 8th grade. It’s important to understand that an accelerated Math 7 course is taught at a fundamentally different level than Math 7 -- the distinction goes beyond additional content. All 7th-grade topics in the accelerated Math 7 course are presented with deeper connections to Algebra 1, leading to more complex problem-solving than in Math 7. As a result, Math 7A provides a unique learning experience designed to prepare students for the rigorous demands of subsequent courses. Skipping a prerequisite bypasses essential learning experiences, disrupts the instructional sequence, and does not comply with NYS Commissioner’s Regulations, which require students to master the learning outcomes outlined in a New York State-developed or locally developed syllabus.

Q5: What if a student signs up for the summer Math 7A Conversion course, but does not attend?

A5: Due to the non-remedial and accelerated nature of the summer course, students must attend all classes unless they have an excused absence and complete any missed coursework. As with all summer conversion courses, students who accumulate more than three unexcused absences will be removed from Math 7A Conversion and will not fulfill the required prerequisite for Algebra 1 R/A in 8th grade. Students will be placed in Math 8.

Q6: If a student does not pass Math 7A Conversion in the summer, do they default to Math 8 in 8th grade?

A6: If a student has not met the required prerequisite, they are not eligible to enroll in the course and will be scheduled in Math 8. For Algebra 1R and Algebra 1A, the required prerequisite is an accelerated Math 7 course.  

Q7: Is there a specific grade a student must achieve in the Math 7A Conversion summer course in order to be eligible for Algebra 1 in 8th grade? Can the student choose to enroll in Algebra 1A or 1R?

Q7: A passing grade in Math 7A Conversion is required for a student to advance to Algebra 1R/A in 8th grade. Ongoing conversations with the teacher and families, especially at the end of summer school is essential to help families determine the most appropriate placement moving forward, which, in some cases, may be Math 8. 

Q8: Are there any other options for students to join the accelerated pathway?

A8: In addition to an accelerated Math 7 course during the regular academic year and the summer Math 7A Conversion course, students may also pursue summer coursework at the high school level to accelerate. For example, a student taking Algebra 1 in 9th grade could complete the entire Geometry course over the summer and advance to Algebra 2 in 10th grade. Similarly, a student enrolled in Geometry in 10th grade could take the entire Algebra 2 course over the summer and move on to Pre-Calculus in 11th grade. In both cases, a student could reach Calculus by their senior year. It’s important to note that “new” high school summer courses require double periods in summer school whereas Math 7A Conversion is a single period. Additionally, not every student’s path needs to culminate in Calculus by 12th grade. Courses such as Statistics, which has broad applications across various careers, can be equally valuable and are accessible without acceleration.