MATHEMATICS COURSES Advanced PreAlgebra (7) This course bridges arithmetic and algebra skills to prepare students for Algebra 1. Topics include evaluating expressions involving real numbers, absolute value, and exponents, solving and graphing linear equations, proportions, word problems, percent change and interest, area and volume, square roots and Pythagorean Theorem, and basic probability and statistics. Applications, problemsolving, and accuracy of skills are emphasized throughout the year. In addition, students are introduced to the effective use of the calculator during the second half of the year. Based on the spring diagnostic test results (before enrollment to Windward), summer work will be provided to students who could benefit from more practice on arithmetic topics involving fractions, decimals, and/or negative numbers to prepare for this course. Students who excel in this course may advance to Honors Algebra 1 with recommendation of the department.
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Middle School Contest Mathematics (7-8) (Eighth Period) This course will expose students to a wide variety of creative, challenging problems that appear in mathematics contests. In exploring these problems, students will learn general problem solving skills and specific mathematical content not found in the standard math curriculum. Students who enroll in the course will be encouraged to participate in a wide variety of mathematics competitions, including Mathcounts, the American Mathematical Contest (AMC 8), and Math Madness. This course is open to all Middle School students who like math, regardless of current course placement. (Course offering depends on sufficient enrollment.)
Algebra 1 It is expected that students entering this course have mastered concepts and skills listed in the Advanced PreAlgebra course description. Topics in Algebra 1 include solving multi step equations and inequalities, exponents, polynomials, factoring, graphs, linear equations, systems of equations, rational expressions, radicals, functions, and quadratic equations. This course emphasizes the connections among the visual, verbal, written, and real-world representations of mathematics. Throughout the curriculum, integration of algebraic concepts and problem-solving applications are emphasized.
