Grover Cleveland Middle School
Mrs. Eileen Dee and Miss Laura Shaeffer
7th Grade Mathematics
Textbook: Mathematics: Applications and Connections, Course 2 – Glencoe/McGraw Hill Ó2001
Other Materials: Various manipulatives Protractor
Supplemental worksheets Rulers
Enrichment Activities Overhead
Calculators Whiteboards
Topics: The seventh grade Mathematics Curriculum encompasses the following topics and skills:
Problem-Solving: Students will utilize the problem-solving process and problem-solving strategies to solve word problems. Many problems will also relate mathematics to real life applications. The students will be encouraged to build their critical thinking skills.
Decimals: Students will utilize concrete examples to develop an understanding of decimals. Students will review how to read, compare, order, add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals. Students will also explore decimal applications.
Fractions: Students will utilize concrete examples to develop an understanding of the concept of fractions and fraction/decimal equivalence. Students will learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with fractions. Students will also explore real-life applications with fractions.
Probability & Data Analysis: Students will explore a variety of ways to collect and display data. Students will utilize bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, line plots, box and whisker plots, scatter plots, and stem and leaf plots to interpret and display data. Students will also explore the concept of probability and interpret probabilities as ratios, decimals, and percents.
Patterns & Number Sense: Students will explore several aspects of number theory, including divisibility, prime and composite numbers, factorization, finite and infinite sequences, factors, and multiples.
Introduction to Algebra: Students will develop integer concepts and their applications. Students will learn to compare, order, add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers. Students will also apply integers to the coordinate plane. Students will be introduced to solving equations and exploring the language of algebraic expressions and equations. Students will also explore the concept of a function and different real world applications of functions.
Geometry & Spatial Sense: Students will explore many concepts of two and three dimensional geometry, including angles, polygons, circles, and transformations. Students will also develop the concepts of perimeter, area, volume, and surface area.
Discrete Mathematics: Students will develop an understanding of the concepts and applications of finite arrangements of elements and how they arise in every day situations. Students will become familiar with the multiplication counting principle, permutations, combinations, and graphs to model these types of problems.
Ratio, Proportion, & Percent: Students will explore the meaning of ratio and proportion and learn to relate fractions, decimals, and percents to one another. Students will also apply the concept of proportion to similar figures, scale drawing, and problem solving. In addition, students will explore real-life applications of percents.
Throughout the year, we will work on building organizational and study skills with the students. In this class, we show them one way to organize using a binder and will work with a student on a different method of organization if this doesn’t work for him/her.
Grading: Marking period averages are based upon quizzes, tests, projects, and homework. Each student is asked to come to class prepared with the necessary materials (planner, pencil, book & binder), and to actively and cooperatively participate. The students will have a quiz every Friday. When it is time for a chapter test, it will be given on Friday and replace that week’s quiz. A cumulative midterm exam will be given at the end of the second marking period and a final exam at the end of the fourth marking period.
Basic Skills: Basic skills are a vital part of the mathematics curriculum and serve as the building blocks upon which the students learn new and more challenging material. Basic skills will be addressed by administering one basic skills quiz per week. Each quiz will be five questions and will be worth 10 points. There will be approximately eight quizzes per marking period. Those eight quizzes will be compiled for one basic skills quiz grade for the marking period. These basic skills quizzes will be sent home for your review with the progress report at mid-marking period. The topics that will be assessed are multiplication and division facts, whole number and decimals operations, place value and rounding, fraction operations, and percent topics.
Homework: Each day, homework assignments are written on the board. All students are expected to record each assignment in their planner or special assignment notebook. Homework is an essential part of the learning process and should be completed as such. Homework will be one test grade towards a student’s marking period average and everyone starts with 100! Each student will be excused for missing one assignment per marking period. For every assignment missed after the first, 5 points will be deducted from the homework test grade. Since we review the homework assignments on a daily basis by checking the answers and doing the problems on the board, we do not allow students to make up homework assignments they miss for credit.
Extra Help: We are available most mornings and afternoons for extra help. Please encourage your child to seek extra help when necessary. Also, please feel free to contact us any time either by email (edee@cwcboe.org)(lshaeffer@cwcboe.org) or phone (973-228-9115) if you or your child has any concerns.
Note: The textbook has many features online that can be accessed through www.math.glencoe.com. Some points of interest are online study tools, parent and student study guides and much more!
Miss Shaeffer’s website is a work in progress. You may find it useful to check her site for upcoming tests/quizzes or daily homework assignments. (http://www.cwcboe.org/gcms/teachers/lshaeffer/)