KLA Math Department Home

The KLA Mathematics Department's goal is to improve our students' mathematics achievement through the delivery of high quality instruction. Our curriculum is standards-based, and uses College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) Common Core Math Curriculum as the primary textbook.

 

 

Common Core Mathematics is a secondary mathematics program that incorporates procedural skill and conceptual understanding.  This curriculum helps support students to make sure students are learning and absorbing the critical information they need to succeed at higher levels. The secondary school standards are rigorous and provide students with a logical, comprehensible, and rich preparation for high school mathematics. 

 

On a daily basis, students using CPM Core Connections employ problem solving strategies, question, investigate, analyze critically, gather and construct evidence, and communicate rigorous arguments to justify their thinking. With the CPM instructional materials, students can tackle mathematical ideas set in everyday contexts to help them make sense of otherwise abstract principles. Students are taught how to gather and organize information about problems, break problems into smaller parts, and look for patterns that lead to solutions. Students often learn in collaboration with others, sharing information, expertise, and ideas.

CPM Core Connections courses are the products of classroom teachers who created lessons that work with the diverse student population of California. The teaching strategies outlined in the CPM instructional materials were initially informed by theory and scholarly research into how children learn and how teaching should occur in the ideal classroom. Care was taken to pilot and field test the lessons during the development of the first edition with thousands of students to assure the effectiveness of the lessons. But ultimately the development was informed in practice by the 4000 teachers and over 4 million students that use CPM, the specific suggestions over the last 20 years from hundreds of teachers, and even comments and suggestions by students and parents.

 

 

This class will cover the Core Connections Course, Course 1. CPM will prepare students for future algebra classes. In 6th grade, students will experience math in a variety of ways and learn to apply concepts to real life situations. Integers, absolute value, solving basic equations, and coordinate graphing will be explored. A strong emphasis is placed on geometry. In addition, 6th grade math classes will explore math related careers and famous mathematicians. 

While students are solving complex mathematical problems, they are communicating their thinking and understanding, both formally and informally, whether they are writing or speaking out loud. Communication helps to clarify students’ thinking, prepares them for sharing their ideas in professional settings, and formal or informal feedback that allows for revision. Communication lets teachers and peers assess students’ thinking and depth of understanding. In turn, all students get the chance to improve the quality of their work.

 

 

This class will cover the Foundations of Algebra, Year 2 and Common Core Course 2 textbooks. 7th Grade Common Core Mathematics examines how to factor numerators and denominators and properties of exponents. It then examines the Pythagorean theorem, how to solve problems such as finding the length of an unknown side and surface area and volume of three-dimensional objects. Students will learn various representations of fractional numbers (i.e. fractions, decimals, and percents), enhance their knowledge of ratios and proportions, and compute simple and compound interest. They will also receive practice with probability and statistics. Students and parents can visit www.khanacademy.com, which will provide additional practice with these math concepts.

 

 

 

This class will cover Common Core Course 3 and Algebra Connections textbooks, where students will explore math topics using the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practices. The Core Connections 3 textbook focuses on three critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. The other portion of the course will focus on systems of Linear Functions and Inequalities Quadratic and Other Non-Linear Functions. Students and parents can visit ww.khanacademy.com, which will provide additional practice with these math concepts.

 

 

 

 

 

A primary focus of The Mathematics Department is to prepare our students for the rigorous coursework that they will encounter in high school and college. Listed below are the grading scales for each grade level, with more emphasis put on the test component as the years continue.

 

6th Grade                                        7th Grade                                         8th Grade / Integrated Math 1           

 

Assessments    35%                  Assessments   40%                                 Assessments    45%           

Classwork         55%                 Classwork         50%                                Classwork         45%

Inter. Wed         10%                  Inter. Wed         10%                                Inter. Wed         10%                              

 

                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Homework is an extension of classwork. Students who are unable to understand the topic of the day may be required to further extend their learning at home. Students who exhibit poor understanding of a standard may be required to practice the standard at home.

 

 

Students who have late or missing homework are allowed to turn in any assignment before the chapter ends. Our goal is to have students practice math and improve their skills at any time.