Mathematics (Numeracy)
Manzanita School Curricula for Grades 3-8
Please click here for Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade Curricular Overview
3rd Grade
Students continue to develop their number sense by exploring patterns, equivalency, and with the abacus. Additionally, they become well versed in the relationships between addition and subtraction; and multiplication and division. Students learn to represent story problems using various models including arrays and pictures. Fact fluency in all operations is highly encouraged.
4th Grade
Students become experts in whole number place value and all four operations through 100,000 and beyond. An emphasis is placed on building number sense, developing strategies for solving word problems, and demonstrating conceptual understanding of mathematical topics.
5th Grade
Students become experts in whole number place value and all four operations through 100,000 and beyond. An emphasis is placed on building number sense, developing strategies for solving word problems, and demonstrating conceptual understanding of mathematical topics.
6th Grade
Students dive deeply into fractions, decimals, percentages, and the equivalency between them. Students engage with fraction and decimal operations, examining ratios, and solving word problems involving percents. Students consider patterns, equations, properties, and inequalities as a means to introduce algebraic thinking.
7th Grade: Pre-algebra
Students review and solidify key foundational concepts about number relationships and operations. Topics covered include: types of numbers, understanding and using positive and
negative numbers, working with exponents, powers of ten, and scientific notation, graphing, variables, algebraic expressions, equations and formulae, and using the Pythagorean Theorem.
8th Grade: Algebra
Topics introduced in Algebra provide the foundation students require for future success in high school mathematics, critical thinking, and problem solving. The primary goal is to help students transfer their concrete mathematical knowledge to more abstract algebraic generalizations.
Topics include recognizing and developing patterns using tables, graphs and equations. In addition, students explore operations on algebraic expressions, apply mathematical properties to algebraic equations. Students solve problems using equations, graphs and tables to investigate linear relationships.
Upper School Grades 9-12
Courses Covered:
algebra 2
Students work on refining and deepening their algebra skills. They build on foundations from Algebra I including: number sense, complex fractions, factoring, radical expressions, exponents, functions, and graphing. They take these skills to the next level exploring polynomials and more complex systems of equations. Additional exploration of inequalities, matrices, quadratic equations, logarithmic expressions, sequences and series continues throughout the school year.
geometry
This course is designed to emphasize the study of the properties and applications of common geometric figures in two and three dimensions. It includes the study of transformations and right triangle trigonometry. Inductive and deductive thinking skills are used in problem solving situations, and applications to the real world are stressed. It also emphasizes writing proofs to solve (prove) properties of geometric figures. The course culminates with an introduction to trigonometry.
statistics and data literacy
This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include the measures of central tendency, standard deviation, combinations and permutations, probability, and various data distributions. Emphasis is on applications of statistical concepts while examining the importance of how gathering data can affect the story that data tells. Students will learn that a simulation model can help make sense of randomness. Students will learn several ways of drawing samples and when gathering data, students will understand that samples can offer important insights about larger populations. They will also learn to deal with bias in order to ensure the fairness and accuracy of survey results.
financial literacy
Financial literacy extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. From budgeting finances to understanding taxes to making informed decisions, mathematical skills are indispensable in navigating the complexities of everyday life. This course encourages students to develop their own solution strategies and approaches to their personal finances by budgeting, examining taxes and investment strategies. The course aims to help students transfer their previously learned mathematical skills and strategies to new and unfamiliar contexts. From the perspective of an individual investor in the stock market, students are introduced to basic business organization terminology in order to read, interpret, chart, and algebraically model stock ownership and transaction data. Students will track portfolio performances by creating spreadsheets.