7th Grade Mathematics

We want every student to develop skills and confidence as a mathematical thinker and apply a growth mindset to new learning. We aim to keep the challenge level high and use differentiation so all students experience productive struggle. The math program will advance every student through Algebra 1 alongside a curriculum designed to teach mathematical thinking skills over the course of 7th and 8th grades, which research shows is the best foundation for higher-level mathematics and engineering. 

All of our math courses are led by dedicated teachers who get to know each individual student. They have prepared ample opportunities for challenge including open-ended problem-solving activities, extensions, and projects. Mark Day’s approach to differentiation and challenge is based on extensive, ongoing research and reflection about mathematics instruction, which guides us to continue to offer depth and extensions as opposed to acceleration through future content. 

To meet our goals, we offer two Mathematics Pathways in the upper grades: the Algebra Pathway, covering our standard content and skills, and the Enriched Pathway in which students’ learning is further challenged by extension problems, alternative problems or assignments, or additional project elements. These two pathways are offered across all classes. In the Enriched Algebra 1 Class, all students pursue the Enriched Pathway. In the Hybrid Algebra 1 Class, students can pursue the Enriched Pathway, the regular Algebra Pathway, or selectively pursue challenging learning activities from the Enriched Pathway at any time. The goal is to increase access to challenging math learning for all students through extensions and “high ceiling” tasks so any student can advance learning whenever they are ready. All students who enjoy math are encouraged to participate on our school Mathletes team, which practices once a week for a series of area competitions throughout the year. 

Seventh graders begin the year studying visual patterns before moving to functions and Algebraic foundations. In these units, they study domain, range, representations, relations, functions, evaluating functions, collecting like terms, variables, coefficients, and the use of the distributive property. Students then advance to solving linear equations using inverse operations, proportional reasoning, and simplifying using the distributive property and the combining of like terms. They solve linear inequalities and then learn to graph linear equations, which includes learning about direct variation, slope-intercept form and standard form. This unit includes a hands-on project in which students design and build “marble runs” using multiple vertical ramps representing various slopes on a pegboard representing the coordinate plane. The year concludes with studying probability and the concepts of independent and dependent events, as well as expected value. This unit includes working in the creativity lab to design games which are then played by the wider community at an Expo day.