
Junior High Mathematics – Grades Seven and Eight Junior high is a critical transition phase in your school’s curriculum. It summarizes what has come before and prepares the way for more advanced study. Unfortunately, these years seem to be part of a “weak link” in American mathematics education. Many observers argue that, as students progress into junior high, the typical U.S. math curriculum becomes repetitive and less challenging than it is elsewhere. According to the Department of Education, students in other countries are introduced to algebra and geometry in the years before high school, while relatively few U.S. junior high schools teach these topics. The following pages outline a challenging model curriculum that gives students strong doses of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. Remember, your school may not follow this exact sequence. The most important thing is to satisfy yourself that its program is demanding and keeps pupils moving forward. A healthy dose of algebra in junior high gives students an undeniable advantage. It is the “gateway” to advanced mathematics and science in high school and beyond. Talk to teachers about how much algebra your child will be getting in school, and when it will come. Another important goal in these years is...

SEVENTH GRADE
Seventh Grade students expand their knowledge of geometry; they take a closer look at three~dimensional objects, study symmetry, learn about angle pairs, and practice finding the perimeters, areas, and volumes of figures. Youngsters get more practice work...
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EIGHTH GRADE
Eighth grade math is devoted primarily to introductory algebra, a considrable amount of geometry, and the correct handling of linear data. Students continue to use measuring and drawing instruments, to extend their capacity for mental arithmetic and appro...
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Does Your Child Know Basic Math ...
Here are examples of the kinds of math facts your child should have learned by the end of the eighth grade. She should be able to explain and use most of the following terms, concepts, and symbols. The inverse property of multiplication says that the prod...
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Questions to Ask the Teacher
You may want to ask your child’s junior high math teacher questions such as: What specific knowledge and skills should my child possess by the end of the marking period? (Ask to see examples of the kind of problems she should be able to solve.) Will...
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