Academics – Middle School Math

Teacher:
Mrs. Michelle Smith
Math 6, Pre-algebra 7, & Algebra 8

Education & Experience:
*Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, CSU, Sacramento
*California Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Supplementary
*Math Authorization
*Association of Christian Schools International Certification
*California Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
*National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
*5yrs. Teaching Experience

Middle School Math

In today’s world an exceptional understanding of mathematics is needed if our students hope to be competitive in our culture. It is a fervent commitment of the Santa Barbara Christian School’s middle school math program that each student not only has a solid understanding of the curriculum but that they may also leave with a positive attitude towards learning mathematical principles and discovering more about God in the process.

To this end, learning how to learn math is an important part of our program. Each student has his or her own “math history” but many of them have never really learned how to work through and analyze the skills they are being taught. They haven’t been able to conceptually understand their own basic skills, but in middle school they can begin to grasp the underlying principles of mathematics and the courses show them how to actually learn and study the material.

The first step is obviously a solid skill set and those basic skills are reviewed and put into regular practice to keep them strong. Along with a solid skill set, students are taught and expected to demonstrate a clear ability to communicate mathematics with appropriate symbols and language. It is important not just that they can “do” the math, but that they can show how to arrive at the solutions and explain why those solutions are correct. In doing this, they need to learn the language of the discipline of math so they can communicate their new understanding clearly and accurately.

With smaller class sizes, we have the opportunity to really teach each student at his or her own level. Those who struggle can be brought along more slowly while the advanced learners have a chance to move ahead and also solidify their own understanding if they are given a chance to help a classmate. The goal for all students is not just a competitive math competence but also that each student would develop the patience and persistence needed when learning new skills and solving problems at a higher mathematics level they he or she has ever encountered. It is that education in determination that will allow students to move further and further into the study of mathematics.

In every class, to help these goals be met, students are given the opportunity to investigate concepts and build their conceptual understanding; review, learn, and practice basic computational and procedural skills; and apply mathematics to problem solving in real-world situations.

Math- 6th Grade

Math 6 bridges the gap between the study of elementary math and pre-algebra. This course is vertically aligned which ensures that content standards and units of study are introduced, reinforced, and assessed and that instruction is targeted on student needs and California Standards. Topics that give students the most difficulty at the sixth grade level are fractions, problem solving, measurement, algebra, and computation and these are targeted throughout the year. The use of math manipulatives will bridge the gap between concrete understanding and mathematical symbolism. Moreover, multi-step work problems are not simple computation problems but students must analyze exactly what the problem is asking and how to use the information given.

Math 7th Grade

Math 7 is designed to review and reinforce the concepts of our 6th grade math, but it also provides opportunities to meet the individual needs of students who desire more specific instruction to develop their skills and confidence in mathematics. Pre-Algebra 7th Grade This course will give students a strong foundation in algebra while also preparing them for future study of geometry, probability, and data analysis. Each lesson’s exercises range from basic task that help students develop and practice skills to challenging exercises that involve logical reasoning and problem solving.

Pre-Algebra 8th Grade

Pre-Algebra 8 is designed to help students be successful problem solvers. Smaller groupings provide more opportunities for individual instruction which prepares them for the critical thinking skills needed
in algebra.

Algebra 8th Grade

This course introduces the abstract study of numbers and their relationship to one another. Pairs of numbers form graphic representations that bring powerful visualization of relations. Students will develop a more sophisticated way dealing with word problems by applying algebra. This course includes the study of rational number properties, variables, polynomials, and factoring. Students learn to write, solve and graph linear and quadratic equations and to solve systems of equations. They also learn to model real-world applications, including statistics and probability investigations. This course will provide a solid foundation for further study in mathematics by helping students develop computational, procedural, and problem-solving skills. The skills developed in Algebra 1 are critical to the study of Geometry and Intermediate Algebra.

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