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Middle School Curriculum> Pre-algebra 8
TITLE
Pre-Algebra 8
TEXTBOOK
Merrill Pre-Algebra A Transition to Algebra; Price, Rath, and Leschensky;
Glencoe; 1992
DESCRIPTION
Pre-Algebra 8 is required for all eighth grade students who are not in Algebra
and is part of the eighth grade core curriculum block. It meets three days per
week for 68 minutes each session. Students will review skills involving
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, powers and uses of grouping
symbols over the whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers. Some of the
units covered include number operations, solving equations and inequalities,
graphing equations and inequalities, basic operations of decimals and fractions,
applications of algebra involving geometry and measurement, and strategies for
estimation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. The student will be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers,
integers and rational numbers, including order of operations. (8.1.1; 8.2.4)
2. The student will be able to use the basic properties (associative,
commutative, distributive, identity and inverse) of algebra and be able to apply
them to rational numbers and variables. (8.1.4; 8.6.2)
3. The student will be able to evaluate open expressions given values for
different variables. (8.6.2)
4. The student will be able to evaluate factors and powers, along with greatest
common factor and least common multiple. (8.1.4)
5. The student will be able to perform basic operations of fractions and
decimals. (8.1.2; 8.1.3; 8.2.1)
6. The student will be able to use various strategies to solve word problems.
(8.2.2; 8.2.3)
7. The student will be able to use the steps necessary to solve one step, two
step, and multi-step equations and inequalities involving one variable. They
will apply these steps in solving word problems. (8.6.2)
8. The student will be able to graph solutions for equations and inequalities
involving two variables. They will apply this in solving systems of equations.
(8.6.1)
9. The student will be able to use the relationship between ratios, proportions,
rates, and percents to solve a variety a equations. (8.2.3)
10. The student will be able to calculate mean, median, mode, range, and
frequency. These skills will be used in interpreting data and then being able to
represent it graphically. (8.5.1)
11. The student will be able to solve problems involving probability and odds.
(8.5.3; 8.5.4)
12. Students will be able to apply their algebra skills to geometry; included
will be finding area, perimeter, volume, and surface area, as well as similar
and congruent triangles. (8.4.1-3)
13. Students will be able to use various strategies of estimation. (8.2.5)
WRITING ACTIVITIES
1. Students will write quarterly about using math in job related situations.
2. Students will make up story problems using material from the current chapter.
MULTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
1. Students will view a movie (Stand & Deliver) which involves different
cultures.
2. Students will work problems from the textbook which bring different cultures
to attention.
