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7th Grade Pre-Algebra
 

Pre-Algebra – Seventh Grade

Recommended Prerequisite:  None

Grades Offered: 6-8

SDE Course Code: 0706

MNPS Course Code:  MTH4177Y

 

Course Description

 

Pre-algebra for middle school students develops the topics of rational numbers, number properties, order of operations, inverse operations, operations with integers, functions, graphs, measurement and computation, patterns, algebraic expressions and solving equations, statistics and probability, geometric properties and relationships and problem-solving strategies with a theme of “Thinking Algebraically”.  Concrete strategies and geometric models of mathematical concepts will be emphasized.

 

Course of Study

Number and Operations


·
       
Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems

       Recognize the place value of a given digit

       Use exponents to express a monomial written in expanded form

       Determine the square root of perfect squares

       Use a variety of models to demonstrate the relationships with the real number system (e.g., Venn diagrams, webs)

       Work flexibly with fractions, decimals, and percents to solve problems

       Compare and order fractions, decimals, and percents

       Connect whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents and integers to locations on the number line

       Develop meaning for percents greater than 100 and less than one

       Use appropriate mathematical language and symbols to express numerical relationships (e.g., <, >, =, ÷ );

       Understand and use ratios and proportions to represent quantitative relationships

       Recognize and use exponential, scientific, and calculator notation to represent large numbers in real-world situations

       Demonstrate understanding of opposites, reciprocals, and integers

       Identify the opposite of a rational number

       Use concrete, pictorial, and symbolic representations of integers

       Apply number theory concepts to solve problems (e.g., divisibility, factors, multiples, composite numbers, prime factorization, relatively prime)

·        Understand operations and how they relate to one another

       Understand the meaning and effects of arithmetic operations with fractions, decimals, and integers

       Apply the associative and commutative properties of addition and multiplication to simplify computations with integers, fractions, and decimals

       Use the distributive property to simplify computations with integers, fractions, and decimals

       Apply order of operations in computing with rational numbers

       Understand and use the inverse relationships of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and squaring and finding square roots to simplify computations and solve problems

·        Solve problems, compute fluently, and make reasonable estimates

       Select and use appropriate methods and tools for computing with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and integers in problem-solving situations (e.g., mental computation, estimation, calculators, computers, paper and pencil)

       Develop and analyze procedures for computing with fractions, decimals, and integers

       Develop and use strategies to estimate the results of rational number computations in real-world situations

       Judge the reasonableness of the results of rational number estimates and computations

       Solve one-step real-world problems involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents

       Raise rational numbers to whole number powers

       Solve multi-step real-world problems involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents

       Develop, analyze, and explain methods for solving problems involving proportions (e.g., scaling, finding equivalent ratios)

       Calculate rates involving cost per unit to determine the best buy

 

Algebra


·       
Understand patterns, relations, and functions

       Represent, analyze, and generalize a variety of patterns with tables, graphs, words, and when possible symbolic rules

       Develop understanding for arithmetic and geometric sequences

       Relate and compare different forms of representation for a relationship;

       Identify functions as linear or nonlinear

       Compare and contrast properties of functions from tables, graphs, or equations

·        Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols

       Formulate multi-step equations that represent relationships and real-world situations

       Develop meaning for intercept and slope

       Use symbolic algebra to represent situations and solve problems

       Use a variety of forms to represent linear relationships

       Recognize and generate equivalent forms for simple algebraic expressions

       Evaluate a first-degree algebraic expression given values for two or more variables

       Solve one- and two-step linear equations involving integers

       Use a variety of methods to solve real-world problems involving multi-step linear equations (e.g., manipulatives, technology, pencil and paper)

       Apply given formulas to solve real-world problems

       Solve one-step linear inequalities

       Identify the graph of a linear equation

       Identify the graphical representation of the solution to a one-variable linear inequality

       Develop understanding for particular values of patterns, relationships, and functions (e.g., x- and y- intercepts, slope, maximum and minimum values)

·        Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships

       Use a variety of representations to solve real-world problems (e.g., graphs, tables, equations)

·        Analyze change in various contexts

       Compare linear relationships to non-linear relationships

       Develop meaning for rate of change in real-world situations

 

Geometry


·
       
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric figures

       Describe, classify, and understand relationships among types of two- and three-dimensional objects using their defining properties

       Understand relationships among the angles (e.g., complementary, supplementary, interior, exterior, vertical, corresponding

       Solve problems using angle relationships (e.g., complementary, supplementary, interior, exterior, vertical, corresponding)

       Determine the measure of an angle of a triangle given the measures of the other two angles

       Understand relationships among the angles and side lengths of similar geometric figures.

       Determine congruence of line segments, angles, and polygons by direct comparison of given attributes

       Develop understanding of the Pythagorean theorem

·        Specify locations and describe spatial relationships using coordinate geometry and other representational systems

       Graph points in the coordinate system

·        Apply transformations and use symmetry to analyze mathematical situations

       Describe sizes, positions, and orientations of shapes under transformations (e.g., rotations, translations, reflections, dilations)

       Relate symmetry and congruence to reflections about a line

·        Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems

       Use appropriate tools and methods to draw geometric objects with specified properties, (e.g., side lengths, angle measure)

       Use two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects to visualize

       Use visualization and spatial reasoning to solve real-world problems

       Recognize and apply geometric ideas and relationships such as tessellations in areas outside the mathematics classroom (e.g., art, science, everyday life) 

 

Measurement


·
       
Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement

       Understand both metric and customary systems of measurement

       Understand relationships among units and convert from one unit to another within the same system

       Understand, select, and use units of appropriate size and type to measure angles, perimeter, areas, surface area, and volume

·        Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements

       Use a variety of strategies to estimate length, perimeter, circumference, area, and volume

       Select and apply techniques and tools to accurately measure length, perimeter, area, volume, and angles to appropriate levels of precision

       Apply formulas and/or other strategies to solve problems involving perimeter, circumference of circles, and the area of triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and circles

       Find area of complex and irregular shapes

       Apply given formulas to find volume of selected prisms and cylinders

       Compare and contrast the volumes of a variety of geometric solids

       Solve problems involving rate/time/distance (i.e., d = rt)

       Solve problems involving scale factors using ratio and proportion

       Solve real-world problems using the Pythagorean Theorem

       Construct tables and graphs to represent rates of change

       Find measures using proportional relationships and properties of similar figures

       Determine the measure of angles by applying angle relationships (e.g., complementary, supplementary, interior, exterior, vertical, corresponding)

 

Data Analysis and Probability

 

·        Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer questions

       Formulate questions, design studies, and collect real-world data for investigations using a variety of collection methods (e.g., random sampling, simulations)

       Select, create, and use appropriate graphical representations of real-world data (e.g., histograms, box plots, scatterplots)

·        Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data

       Find, use, and interpret measures of center and spread (e.g., mean, interquartile range

       Develop meaning for frequency, distribution, and outliers

       Discuss and understand the relationship between data sets and their graphical representations (e.g., bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, histograms, stem-and-leaf plots, box plots, scatterplots)

·        Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions that are based on data

       Make conjectures and predictions based on data

       Recognize misleading presentations of data

       Develop meaning for lines of best fit

       Determine an appropriate sample to test a hypothesis

       Make conjectures to formulate new questions for future studies

·        Understand and apply basic concepts of probability

       Develop meaning of mutually exclusive events

       Connect the symbolic representation of a probability to an experiment

       Use a variety of methods to compute probabilities for compound events (e.g., multiplication, organized lists, tree diagrams, area models)

       Distinguish between theoretical and experimental probability

       Find the probability of dependent and independent events

 

The following skills are tested on TCAP and are prerequisite for Pre-Algebra:

 

·        Represent equivalent numbers using a variety of forms (i.e., whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents)

·        Estimate the results of rational number computations in real-world situations

·        Use tables, graphs, and symbolic rules to generalize patterns in data, including extending rate charts to solve real-world problems

·        Apply and create function rules

·        Represent mathematical statements and real-world situations using symbols

·        Identify whole numbers that satisfy a given one-variable inequality

·        Create a scatterplot to represent data presented in tabular form

·        Describe the relationship between two quantities represented in a scatterplot

·        Describe how changes in one quantity or variable result in changes in another, including interpreting graphs which represent rates of change

·        Use unit rates to solve problems (e.g., miles per hour, words per minutes)

·        Compare and classify triangles by angle size and length of sides

·        Compare and classify polygons by properties

·        Use appropriate mathematical language to describe similarity and congruence

·        Estimate or find area of irregular and complex shapes

·        Construct, interpret, and use multiple-bar graphs, multiple-line graphs, and circle graphs  displaying real-world data

·        Use proportional reasoning to make conjectures and predictions based on data from experiments or simulations

·        Determine the probability for an outcome in an experiment

 

Standards:

 

MNPS Standards:

http://www.mnps.org/PageFactory.aspx?PageID=3403

 

State Standards:          

http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards2001/math/cimath.htm


Textbook:


Basal: 
Charles, et al, Prentice Hall Mathematics – Pre-Algebra (Tennessee Student Edition), 5th Edition, 2006, Prentice Hall

 

Online Textbook Activities:

http://www.phschool.com/

 

 

Recommended and/or Required Resources:

 

·        TI 83+ Graphing Calculator, scientific calculator, or four-function calculator

·        TCAP Item Sampler - http://www.state.tn.us/education/tsachsamp.htm

·        Manipulatives: graph paper, rulers, protractors, two-color counters, fraction bars, centimeter cubes or snap cubes, geoboards, miras, Cuisenaire rods, color tiles, base ten blocks, tangrams, pattern blocks, algebra tiles, meter sticks, etc.