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Readiness Profile for 7th Grade Pre-Algebra
College Prep Pre-Algebra Criteria |
Honors Pre-Algebra Criteria |
College Prep Pre-Algebra Student: *May be strong academically in math * Hardworking, self-motivated * May enjoy challenges, but also needs some assistance and practice with complex, critical-thinking and non-routine strategies Needs or prefers guidance to learn, apply, and extend new concepts * May need prompting to ask questions, revisit notes and homework, correct errors, show all work * Appreciates thorough presentation and practice of new concepts * Computational skills may not be automatic with integers, fractions, decimals without the use of a calculator * Developing organizational skills * Participates in classroom discussions |
Honors Pre-Algebra Student: * Math is one of my gifts or passions * Exceptional work ethic; highly self-motivated * Thrives on the challenges of complex, critical-thinking opportunities; can achieve this without assistance and can often take ideas to a higher level * Is inquiry-driven; asks Why?,What, and if? * Self-Assertive: asks questions, revisits notes and homework, corrects errors, shows all work * Masters concepts quickly; requires faster-paced, rigorous curriculum * Computational skills are automatic with integers, fractions, decimals without the use of a calculator * Has strong organizational skills * Actively contributes to classroom discussions |
Most math classes begin with some review of previously learned material. This explores the material with new depth and helps align the backgrounds of students. While beginning with review can be helpful, it is often difficult to base a decision about proper placement on the experiences within the first few weeks of class. Students may get a sense of overconfidence in a course and can be surprised when new material is too difficult, and this difficulty may arise after it is too late to drop the course. Also, less time is spent on review (at the beginning of a course and throughout the year) in higher-level courses.
College Prep Pre Algebra and Honors Pre Algebra students will complete the following curriculum:
| 7th grade | 8th grade | 9th grade | 10th grade | 11th grade | 12th grade |
| College Prep Pre Algebra | Algebra | Geometry | Algebra 2 | PreCalc AB-incl. Trig | Calc AB |
| Honors Pre Algebra | Algebra Honors | Geometry Honors | Algebra 2/Trig | Pre Calc CD or Calc AB | Calc CD |
Course Expectations for Honors Pre Algebra:
In addition to completing the same curriculum as a College Prep Pre Algebra student, an Honors Pre Algebra student will be taught the following concepts:
- *Additional Properties: reflexive; symmetric; transitive; substitution
- *Algebra Word Problems: integers; age; mixture; perimeter; distance; coin
- *Set Theory: unions/intersections; subsets; members/elements; null set; complements; universal set; rosters/rule; Venn diagrams
- *Trigonometry: solving special right triangles
- *Percents: solving compound interest; solving word problems involving interest
*Algebra Proofs: proving an algebraic equation through the proof process
When enrolling in Honors Pre Algebra, students and parents should consider the following:
- *What is the student's activity and time commitment outside of the school day?
- *Honors Pre Algebra will progress at a faster pace than College Prep Pre Algebra.
- *Students in Honors Pre Algebra must maintain a B- in order to stay in the Honors program in 8th grade.
* Students struggling in Honors Pre Algebra may not have the option to transfer out of the class at the semester due to class size constraints. - *The new SAT is based on completion of Alg 2 in 10th grade.