Middle School Math

Philosophy 

While The Sage School math curriculum is aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) strands, it is enhanced with interdisciplinary connections to help students see math as part of the real world. By challenging gifted students with a rigorous, fast-paced, and in-depth learning experience, we encourage them to reach their full potential and push their limits. Students at all levels are expected to master basic skills, become creative problem solvers, and use abstract thinking at an appropriate developmental level. 

Topics 

The curriculum follows the NCTM Standards for School Mathematics. The standards portion of the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics center upon ten areas of mathematics curriculum development from pre-k to 12. We applied these standards up to the appropriate level for our students (at a minimum through eighth grade). The number assigned to each standard is for easy reference and is not part of each standard’s official title.

These ten major areas are integrated throughout the instructional programs.   

1. Number and Operations
2. Patterns, Relations, and Algebra
3. Geometry
4. Measurement
5. Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability
6. Problem Solving
7. Reasoning and Proof
8. Communication
9. Connections
10. Representation

Goals

The overall goal is to prepare students for advanced high school mathematics. Our program is based on the development of higher level thinking skills. It includes helping students develop flexibility and confidence while solving problems, fluency in using math skills and tools, rigor in showing and organizing the work, and proficiency in evaluating solutions. Students learn to approach novel problems in creative ways. They acquire a large variety of strategies, knowledge, and math skills. Students also build a repertoire of ways to communicate orally and in writing their mathematical thinking while their enjoyment and appreciation of mathematics keeps growing. The curriculum also includes interdisciplinary work with the Humanities (math and poverty, math and Eugenics), Art (architecture, fractals, tessellations, transformations, etc.), and Science (physics, chemistry, biology) departments. Participation in several regional and national math competitions helps strengthen students’ problem solving skills and gives our middle school students a chance to compare their performances with those of students outside of Sage.

Content

Pre-Algebra Course
A. Algebra and Integers
B. Algebra and Rational Numbers
C. Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Functions
D. Applying Algebra to Geometry
E. Extending Algebra to Statistics and Polynomials
F. Integrated Skills

Algebra 1 Course
A. Expressions and Equations
B. Linear Functions
C. Polynomials and Nonlinear Functions
D. Radical and Rational Functions
E. Data Analysis
F. Integrated Skills

Algebra 2 Course
A. First-degree Equations and Inequalities
B. Polynomial and Radical Equations and Inequalities
C. Advanced Functions and Relations
D. Discrete Mathematics
E. Trigonometry
F. Integrated Skills