MENLO SCHOOL • SINCE 1915

Academics

Middle School Mathematics

Video: Math at Menlo

Problem-solving. Abstract thinking. Analytical reasoning.

Menlo’s math department values depth over speed, conceptual understanding over memorization, and kindness over competition. 

We aim to create opportunities to build skills that enable our students to become problem solvers and not just calculators. Throughout students’ middle school years, they are expected to not only solve problems but also reason abstractly, demonstrate multiple problem-solving strategies, make connections between mathematical concepts, and to justify and communicate the process they went through to solve the problem. 

“Education is not just the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think.”

—Albert Einstein

Our Curriculum

At Menlo Middle School, our curriculum focuses on relevant, engaging, and challenging tasks where students will experience math in ways that promote a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. As part of our innovative program, we are consistently reconsidering the importance and effectiveness of traditional classroom methods. As teachers, we aim to have students actively thinking as much as possible, moving away from the role of instructor to one of facilitator and curator or engagement opportunities. Versatile problem-solvers cannot be molded and supported properly with traditional teacher-led instruction that focuses on memorization and repetition. Deep conceptual understanding is required to create a skilled problem solver. This must all happen in addition to memorization and practice. Any memorization or repetitive practice should only come after the students have had the opportunity to explore, make connections, and try to develop an understanding of the how and why.

Thoughts on Leveling

Students’ brain development and cognitive ability mature at different rates. With this in mind, we do not level 6th grade math classes. This allows for the teacher to be able to observe the student for themself and then decide, based on Menlo’s curriculum, which level will benefit them most in 7th-grade. In 7th grade, there is one section of enriched math and 3 grade-level classes. We have found that only ¼ of the students are typically ready for the added depth of knowledge that the enriched curriculum requires. Once in 8th grade, half of the students are placed in enriched classes and half in grade-level classes, as by their 8th grade year, more students are ready for the enriched curriculum.

Menlo Middle School Math Offerings Menlo Middle School Math Offerings

Middle School Mathematics Faculty

Course Offerings

Grade: 8

Algebra (E) 8

Topics studied include those listed in Algebra 8. In addition, students are further challenged to investigate connections between concepts and pushed towards deeper understanding and flexibility in problem-solving, through more rigorous applications. Students are also introduced to the idea of a mathematical proof.

Grade: 8

Algebra 8

This Algebra 1 course prepares students for the rigors of future classes by providing a strong foundation of algebraic concepts. Students will explore multiple representations of the linear, quadratic, and rational functions. Extensive treatment of the fundamental skills that underpin various relationships precedes the study of these functions. Real-life applications will be explored whenever possible. Additional topics covered include a review of operations with integers and rational numbers, solving equations and inequalities, operations on polynomials, radicals and rational expressions, factoring, functions and graphs, linear systems, and quadratics.

Students practice cooperative problem solving and learn effective communication skills that use the appropriate mathematical language to present problem solutions.

Grade: 6

Mathematics 6

The goal of this course is to create a solid foundation in mathematics that students will need and use in the years ahead. Emphasis is on strengthening computation skills, especially those involving fractions, decimals, and integers, and developing a thorough approach to problem-solving. Students will be challenged daily to develop mathematical habits of mind such as making sense of problems, utilizing appropriate solution strategies, communicating their methods with mathematical justification, and persevering through challenges. Organization of thinking and documentation of work are strongly emphasized. This course is designed to meet the needs of students with a variety of math backgrounds and provide challenge and engagement at all levels.

Topics covered include number theory, problem-solving, proportional reasoning, integer operations, data and statistics, probability, and geometry. The use of variables is woven throughout the curriculum to help prepare students for pre-Algebra.

By the end of 6th grade, students should feel confident in their abilities to reason through complex problems and be comfortable working with variables.

Grade: 7

Pre-Algebra (E) 7

Topics studied include those listed in Pre-Algebra 7. In addition, students are further challenged to investigate connections between concepts and pushed towards deeper understanding and flexibility in problem-solving, through more rigorous applications.

Grade: 7

Pre-Algebra 7

This Pre-Algebra course provides students the opportunity to stretch their abstract thinking, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning. Students will continue to work on documenting in organized steps and sharing verbally their thinking and solution strategy.  In addition, they will learn to defend their methods in peer review. In this course students will be presented with challenging but accessible problems, and asked to reason through them collaboratively with their peers.


Students will be introduced to formal algebraic thinking and apply algebraic concepts to their prior problem-solving strategies. Other topics include exponents, geometry (angle relationships, surface area and volume of 3D shapes), scale, ratios, proportions, percents, statistics, and probability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Content from previous site pages, can be copied into new design as needed

 

Course Catalog