Middle School Math Program

The curriculum samples shown here represent critical topics we address at each grade level. An asterisk (*) indicates program elements covered at Mathnasium that are not typically covered in most school programs.

Grade 6

Percent

• Find 0, 10, 25, 33 1/3, 50, 66 2/3, 75, 100, 200, and 250 percent of selected numbers.
• Find "7% of 300" for multiples and sub–multiples of 100 mentally.

Properties of Numbers

• Explain how the identity for multiplication ["Every number times one (1) equals itself."] is used in renaming fractions.
• Explain how the identity for division ["Every number divided by one (1) equals itself."] is used in reducing fractions.
• Explain why division by zero (0) is not allowed.

Fractional Parts

• Knowing that "a quarter of" and "one-fourth of" mean the same thing
• Find half and a quarter of all whole numbers up to 100.
• Find three–quarters, one–third, and two–thirds of selected whole numbers and fractions.
• Count by 1/2s, 1/4s, 3/4s, 1/3s, 2/3s, 11/2s, 21/2s.
• Count by 0.1s.
• "Half of what number is …?" for whole numbers and appropriate fractions
• "A quarter of what number is …?" for whole numbers and appropriate fractions
• Find "2/3 of 12" for appropriate fractions and whole numbers.

Grades 7 & 8

Fractional Parts

• Find the part when the fractional part and whole are given.
  • "2/3 of 24 equals what number?"
• Find the whole when the fractional part and part are given.
  • "3/4 of what number equals 9?"
• Find the fractional part when the whole and part are given.
  • "8 is what part of 12?"

Proportional Thinking

• "The distance around the Earth is about 24,000 miles. At 3 inches for every 500 miles, about how many inches would it take to represent the distance around the Earth?"

Rational Numbers

• The meaning of rational numbers
• Comparing and ordering rational numbers
• Locating rational numbers on the number line
• Computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
• Negative exponents
• Word problems

The Language of Algebra

• Symbols
• Variables
• Terms and expressions
• Mathematical sentences
  • Open sentences
  • Equations and inequalities