Mathematics
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Mathematics Program Carl Friedrich Gauss said "Mathematics is the Queen of the sciences". This is no doubt true. The language of patterns, modeling, reasoning, and problem solving is the intersection of all scientific roads. Part of the beauty of mathematics is that it is a pure and precise pattern language but not an end unto itself. Mathematics is an interconnected set of concepts, applications, and purposes which must be seen as a coherent whole lending itself to the sciences, engineering, economics, architecture, and skilled trades. At CSS-MSE mathematics is taught with the intent that students will delve both deep and broad, mastering manipulation while understanding application. It is integrated with our science and engineering curricula specifically to extend our students understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures with models and representations. Our mathematics scope and sequence will assure our students reach calculus by 11th grade with advanced placement offerings and the opportunity to explore enriching mathematics electives each year.
Middle School 6th grade - Arithmetic 1 This course introduces and develops the fundamentals of arithmetic and geometry initiating the first of a two-year study assuring student proficiency for algebra by their eighth grade. Inquiry-based group investigations, worksheets, and independent practice overlap and scaffold for a thorough understanding of mathematical concepts. Abetting a classroom of discovery, the students are provided with a traditional reference style text Saxon Math to be kept at home and used for home study. Students will arrive at and use the fundamental theorem of arithmetic and along the way gain the rich base vocabulary required to work maturely in their mathematical progression in secondary school. The principal course objectives and content will logically progress through numeration and operations, working with prime and composite numbers, fraction-decimal-and percent operations, integer arithmetic, identification and classification of plane figures, measurement of solid geometric figures, measurement within and conversions between customary and metric systems, measurement of central tendencies, statistics & graphing of data, and computing elementary probability. 7th grade - Arithmetic 2 with Pre-Algebra This is the 2nd course in the deep investigation of arithmetic and geometry leading to a proficient understanding of the conceptual applications of Algebra. We will be using two fundamentally different texts and a computer program to facilitate the learning process. Connected Mathematics is a discovery based textbook which will allow us to investigate the applications of our quantitative skills. Saxon Math gives us the traditional math text for use in independent practice and home study. Finally, our new online computer program, Renaissance, gives students the opportunity to assess themselves and challenge themselves individually by giving them the independence to move as far ahead as they choose. Students will become proficient in exponents, variables, geometric transformation, probability and statistics, data analysis, and introductory algebra concepts. They will be assessed using multiple choice and free answer tests, homework, in-class work, projects, and essays based on summer and in-class readings.
8th grade - Algebra 1 This course is a full year high school regents level investigation of introductory algebra with elements of geometry and trigonometry. Students will become proficient in the foundational skills that will lead to higher mathematics while making connections in the realm of applications. The course using a tradition textbook by Amsco Publishing coupled with high-tech differentiated assessment software called Accelerated Math to support topic mastery. Successful completion of the course will include passing of the first of three New York State Regents Examination in mathematics. The course units include: Number Systems, Operations and Properties, Algebraic Expressions, First Degree Equations and Inequalities in One Variable, Operations with Algebraic Expression, Ratio and Proportion, Geometric Figures, Right Triangle Trigonometry,Graphing Linear Functions, Solving Systems of Linear Equations, Operations with Radical, Quadratic Functions, Algebraic Fractions, Probability, and Statistics. 8th grade - Geometry (Honors) - by invitation students may take Geometry as an Honors elective at the high school regents level and thus advance one year in our math sequence. Upper School 9th grade - Geometry and/or Algebra II
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