Grade 8 Curriculum


MATHEMATICS
The middle school math program is designed to:

• Have students strive to be honest, responsible and self-confident; develop good study habits; put forth their maximum effort; develop a sense of humor and recognize their strengths;
• Develop the student's awareness of the value of math in our society and its place as a science;
• Have all students reach a level of proficiency with math that will enable them to apply what they know in every day life;
• Have most students reach an additional understanding of theoretical math and an appreciation of the logical and orderly development of math concepts; have most students increase their future success in algebra and geometry;
• Strengthen the students' ability to read in the content area and to question, reason and attack new problems;
• Promote the integration of mathematics with other disciplines in the curriculum;
• Promote the integration of mathematics with available technology
• Promote communication of mathematical ideas in a variety of forms.
• During a class the emphasis is placed on acquisition of concepts and deepening of understanding, often through group work. In order to master the language and techniques of algebra this is followed by daily homework assignments. These assignments are corrected and discussed in the next class period. No parent should have to introduce new material to a student.

Math League is an activity open to any interested student in sixth, seventh, and eighth Grade. It meets five times a year. In our subdivision, our students compete with teams from surrounding towns. The Carlisle Team has consistently placed in the top half of the Eastern Massachusetts Math League. Participation in Math League promotes accuracy, sharpens reasoning, builds confidence and poise, and provides experience for future testing and competition. In addition, Math Counts is a challenging enrichment and competition available for interested eighth graders.

CONTENT
Concepts
A continuing program from Grade 7, the eighth grade program is equivalent to one year of high school algebra for all eighth grade students. The eighth grade math program uses Algebra 1, An Integrated Approach, employing a study of algebraic concepts and techniques. Topics include numbers and numerals, sets, variables, basic properties, solving equations and problems, solving inequalities, open sentences in two variables, graphing on the coordinate plane, solving systems of equations, polynomials, factoring, multiplication and division of polynomials, irrational numbers, quadratic equations, probability and statistics. In addition, the honors class includes introductions to functions and matrices.

Problem Solving
Sequential problem solving strategies and approaches will be integrated into the mathematics, curriculum, with specific objectives at each grade level. In middle school, the following problem solving steps will be consistently applied:

1. Understand the Problem
2. Devise a Plan of Action
3. Carry Out the Plan
4. Look Back and Validate

For grade 8, the problem solving steps above will be taught using the following problem solving strategies:

• Make the Problem Simpler
• Translate Information into Algebraic Equations
• Use Charts (e.g. D=RT, AGE, Consecutive Nos.)
• Develop Data Tables and/or Venn Diagrams
• Look for Patterns
• Make a Model, Diagram, and/or Geometric Figure
• Look for Relationships (e.g. ratio and proportion)
• Identify and Apply Functions
• Utilize Deductive Logic and/or Inductive Reasoning
• Estimate the Magnitude of the Solution
• Select and Utilize Algebraic Formulas, Inverses, or Transformations
• Apply Cooperative Problem Solving Approaches
• Select, Draw, and Interpret Graphs

In addition to analytical techniques, students will be introduced to Stella software which will allow them to model complex situations. Emphasis will be placed on the connections to mathematical concepts and applications to other content areas.

MATERIALS

• Daily Tune up (DTUs)
• Exploring Data, Quantitative Literacy Series
• The Language of Functions and Graphs, Shell Centre for Mathematical Education
• Stella, High Performance Systems
• Selected Continental Math League (CML) problems

Text:
Algebra 1, An Integrated Approach, MacDougal, Littell