We believe students make sense of mathematics when they learn in an environment that focuses on new concepts and builds on mathematics they have previously explored. Math class is about developing a problem solving mindset. Learning mathematics is developing understanding, making connections, applying knowledge, and communicating ideas.

  • Students learn best when the important mathematical ideas are embedded in engaging problems that they can explore, discuss, and reflect upon.
  • Students progress in both math content (skills & knowledge) and math practices (habits & communication) at different rates.
  • Students build flexible thinking by considering a variety of strategies as they move towards efficiency.
  • Depth is much more important than speed or quantity.
  • Everyone can learn math to the highest levels.
  • Asking questions and making mistakes are valuable tools in brain growth and learning.
  • Math education is important to all people, not because they will see the same problems in the real world, but because they will have developed a problem solving mindset.

Grade 8 Math is all about…Students representing and analyzing the relationship between two variables in linear and non-linear situations. Students expanding their computational fluency to include operating with exponents as well as estimating square roots.

Benchmark Understandings at Grade 8

The essential building blocks for solid understanding of mathematical concepts

DEFINE, EVALUATE, AND COMPARE FUNCTIONS

  • Model and compare functions graphically, algebraically, and in a table

UNDERSTAND CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PROPORTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS, LINES, AND LINEAR EQUATIONS

  • Define slope and apply it to write a linear equation (y=mx+b)
  • Distinguish between a proportional and nonproportional linear relationship
  • Analyze and solve linear equations and their point of intersection
  • Distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions

UNDERSTAND AND APPLY THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

UNDERSTAND AND DESCRIBE TRANSFORMATIONS OF TWO DIMENSIONAL FIGURES

  • Prove or disprove congruence and similarity through transformations (reflections, translations, rotations and dilations)

DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS - INVESTIGATE PATTERNS OF ASSOCIATION IN BIVARIATE DATA

  • Construct and interpret scatter plots between two quantities (line of best fit, outliers, correlations)
  • Read and interpret two-way tables that compare categorical data (frequency)

FOCUS AT THIS GRADE LEVEL WILL ALSO INCLUDE:

  • Estimate the value of irrational numbers and locate them on a number line (ex: square root of 2)
  • Develop and apply exponent rules for all operations
  • Apply square roots, cube roots, scientific notation
  • Solve problems involving volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres

HELPING YOUR STUDENT LEARN OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL:

  • Praise your student when they make an effort and share in the excitement when they catch and fix a mistake, solve a problem, or understand something for the first time.
  • Look for everyday opportunities to have your student do mathematics with you (calculating tips at restaurants, discounts at a store, manage a personal budget).
  • Encourage your child to stick with it whenever a problem seems difficult. This will help your student build stamina and see that everyone can learn math.
  • Point out where you are using mathematics in your everyday life.
  • Play math games that encourage strategy and reasoning with your student.

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN YOUR STUDENT ASKS FOR HELP:

  • Tell me what you know about this problem. What are you trying to find out?
  • Where are your math resources?
  • What strategy are you thinking about using to solve the problem?
  • How could a model or a table help you solve this problem?
  • Why is your answer reasonable?

LINKS TO MATH CAREGIVER RESOURCES:

Fractional Reasoning: from concept to fluency

Grade 7 Mathematics

  • Apply and extend previous understanding of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers

Grade 8 Mathematics

  • (application of previous understandings)

High School Mathematics

  • (application of previous understandings)

Proportional Reasoning: from concept to fluency

Grade 7 Mathematics

  • Recognize, represent, and solve proportional relationships between quantities
  • Apply properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions

Grade 8 Mathematics

  • Understand connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations
  • Define, evaluate, and compare functions

High School Mathematics

  • (application of previous understandings)
MMUUSD 2025-2026