>>MIDDLE SCHOOL Upper Prep Mathematics In Upper Prep Mathematics, students are asked to look for patterns, estimate, comprehend data, reason and problem solve. Students interact with teachers to do hands-on, rich experiments and must be prepared to be part of an active learning process. Working in pairs, in larger groups and on their own to discover new methods of solving problems, students deepen their understanding of mathematics. They are often asked to justify their answers and thoughts. “How?”, “Why?” and “What if?” are just as common as “What is the answer?” Students learn how to discuss, conjecture, validate, generalize, extend, connect, document and communicate. As a result, students develop a deep understanding of concepts and the inclination and ability to reason and make sense of new situations, including applications to the real world through the KO and local communities. Students learn about algebra, geometry, measurement, number, and operations. There is an emphasis on making meaning of the relationships between numbers and being able to connect key concepts and big ideas. Curriculum is integrated so that Upper Prep students understand and recognize the correlation between different topics in mathematics. In order to be successful, Upper Prep students are expected to have a working knowledge of basic facts.
Form 1 Mathematics This course continues the work begun in Upper Prep mathematics, adding a more in-depth look at topics important in the understanding of algebra and numbers. Students extend their understanding of proportional reasoning by developing an understanding of congruence and mathematical similarity. They are challenged to understand why procedures work and to discover rules for operating with integers, three-dimensional geometry and foundational algebraic processes. They review rational numbers and how to use them to make comparisons. Students also participate in an intense investigation of linear relationships. Students learn to transform and manipulate all four modalities of linear functions: the contextual problem, numeric table, coordinate graph, and algebraic equation. Students apply all of these skills to problem solve. Students are expected to build on and connect to prior knowledge in order to build deeper understandings and new insights. This course does all of this through a pre-algebra lens. Students in this course are placed into Beginning Algebra or Algebra 1 based on a combination of their ability to work independently and advocate for themselves, and their academic success with the Form 1 curriculum, among other factors.
Form 2 Beginning Algebra This Form 2 course begins the formal study of algebra. Standard algebraic topics, such as multi-step equation solving, linear, inverse variation and exponential equations, quadratic patterns, and statistics are covered. Additionally, students develop an understanding of rational and irrational square roots through the discovery and application of the Pythagorean Theorem. Students connect types of functions and contextual situations, and they
Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2021-2022
Mathematics Page 21 of 73
