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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 understanding, making connections, applying knowledge, and communicating ideas.
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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 congruence and similarity of two-dimensional figures
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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 child 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 child 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 child 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 child.
How to respond when your child 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 Parent 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)