7th Grade Math Information

Below is a short description of the three math courses offered to 7^th Grade students.

7th grade math…  is a smaller section that runs at a normal pace, with time for review, and assistance and help from Mr. Witte.  This is a traditional 7^th grade math level course.   Listed below are skills that all 7^th grade math students should be proficient and comfortable in doing prior to the start of class.  We have tried to list these skills in some order of progression.

1. Solving problems with positive and negative numbers
   1. Understanding how to add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative numbers without a calculator. 
   2. Being able to estimate answers before solving
   3. Solving these problems accurately 
2. Working with fractions 
   1. Understanding fraction concepts
   2. Solving fractions problems with and without common denominators
   3. Switching fractions from mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa
   4. Solving and working with proportions 
3. Solving equations 
   1. Simple one-step and two-step equations and showing the steps on paper that help you solve the equation. 
   2. Solving equations with both positive/negative numbers 
   3. Solving equations with fractions 
4. Understanding Ratios 
   1. Knowing what a ratio is 
   2. Finding a unit rate 
   3. Applying ratios to find missing measurements 
5. Understanding the relationships between fractions, decimals, and percents 
   1. Know how to convert from one to the other 
6. Solving story problems 
   1. Solve story problems that include a variety of different concepts including positive/negative numbers, fractions, ratios, and percents. 
7. Working, Analyzing, and Showing Data 
   1. Understand how to read different types of graphs
   2. Find mean, median, mode, and the range of data 
   3. Create a variety of different graphs including bar graphs, line graphs, and scattergrams

Pre-Algebra…is the largest of the sections and jumps right into solving equations and of course Algebra prep material.  This class does not spend much time reviewing.  Students are more responsible to keep up on material themselves or seek help when needed. Students who take this in 7th grade will take algebra in 8th grade.  See below for cautions about algebra which are true if taken in 7th or 8th grade. 

Algebra… is an advanced class where students (entering in 7^th grade) complete Pre-Algebra over the summer and turn in material to Mr. Witte before class.  This class uses Algebra concepts from the beginning and is a challenge to most that take it.  This course is a high school level math class, and not a simplified middle school version of Algebra.  The homework load for this class is approx. 1 hour each evening.  New concepts come frequently - often times every class. The entire text is covered, so there is little time for slowing the pace.  Students need to be independent and responsible.