Some information about our curriculum the state K-8 standardsÉalways a moving target.
The Washington State K-8 Standards and Washington State K-8 Strands were finished in April of 2008. These two books provide detailed guidelines of what middle school students must master to pass the WASL exam. They provide us with a curriculum to teach and the WSD has chosen several programs to accomplish this.
Connected Math Project (CMP) and College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) are both traditional math programs with a conceptual approach to mathematics. The traditional algorithms will be taught and the students will learn how to use and apply them.
All 8th grade CPM Geometry students are required to meet the 8th grade standards while meeting the Wenatchee High School Geometry requirements. This is difficult because we have less time in our day than WHS.
All 8th Grade students enrolled in CPM Foundations For Algebra Year 2 will be required to meet 8th grade standards. This is a pre-algebra program that will prepare them to enter WHS and take Algebra Connections.
All 7th graders enrolled in CPM Algebra Connections will be required to meet the 7th grade standards while meeting the Wenatchee High School Algebra 1 standards. This will be difficult because the middle schools have shorter periods. This is the same textbook that the WHS uses for their Algebra 1 course.
Notes from our assessment coordinator in August:
-The 2009 WASL will be redesigned and shortened by legislative demand.
-The Middle School WASL will have 50% fewer 4 point items.
-The High School WASL will not change in this matter.
-The number of two-point items will be reduced for Grade 3-8 and more
multiple-choice items will be added.
-Reading and Math may be done in a single day.
-All tests will be shorter- 30% reduction in time for all grades, all content areas.
-Writing will not be changed.
-Science will continue to be two days.
-Strands will not work with a shorter test, but they may try clusters of items.
If you would like more than an overview then please go to the following website.
http://www.k12.wa.us/Curriculuminstruct/Mathematics/RevisedStandards.aspx
Grade 7
7.1. Core Content: Rational numbers and linear equations (Numbers, Operations, Algebra)
7.2. Core Content: Proportionality and similarity (Operations, Geometry/Measurement, Algebra)
7.3. Core Content: Surface area and volume (Geometry/Measurement)
7.4. Core Content: Probability and data (Data/Statistics/Probability)
7.5 Additional Key Content (Numbers, Algebra)
7.6. Core Processes: Reasoning, problem solving, and communication
A central theme in Grade 7 is application of proportions. Students learn about proportions (i.e., a proportion is the equating of two ratios) and apply that knowledge. Procedures for computing surface area and volume and study of probability provide opportunities to use proportions. Negative numbers are introduced to extend number sense to all rational numbers; this is critical for algebraic reasoning. Students solve two-step equations and learn different ways to display data.
Grade 8
8.1. Core Content: Linear functions and equations (Algebra)
8.2. Core Content: Properties of geometric figures (Numbers, Geometry/Measurement)
8.3. Core Content: Summary and analysis of data sets (Algebra, Data/Statistics/Probability)
8.4. Additional Key Content (Numbers, Operations)
8.5. Core Processes: Reasoning, problem solving, and communication
A central theme in Grade 8 is algebraic thinking. Students consolidate their understanding of multiplicative and proportional reasoning and apply these ideas to fundamental concepts of algebra. Techniques for summarizing and analyzing data are further developed and comparison of two data sets with unequal numbers of data elements provides a sophisticated application of proportions. Study of linear functions helps students generalize their understanding of proportions to situations involving linear relationships that are not proportional.