Middle School Math

Teaching Middle School Math

Math books may vary from district to district, but they all cover the same materials for each grade level. Middle school math books will start out with a review of math learned in previous grades to refresh the student’s minds. All the concepts of basic math will be covered, and then new concepts on algebra, geometry, measurements, and probabilities will be taught.

Math in middle school reviews whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. After the review, many textbooks will teach probabilities since all these math concepts are used. Next, is an introduction to algebra including sets, absolute value, integers, order of operation, expressions, and equations. Variables, exponents, square roots, scientific notation, unknowns, and problem solving are also included in the teaching of algebra. The students will progress to inequalities, graphing equations/inequalities, slopes, types of graphs, and functions. The last part of the course is on geometry, which will include angles, lines, triangles, rectangles, squares, and circles. The students will learn the shapes, and how to find the area, of each of these shapes. Learning to calculate the volume of all the shapes finishes the basics of geometry. The course then should teach ratios, metric measurements, proportions, similar figures, and the Pythagorean Theorem. Students should leave the first math course with a good working knowledge of the basics of algebra.

The next course the students should have in middle school is Algebra I. This course will expand on all the concepts taught previously and have a more in-depth study on solving equations and graphing equations on a plane. Also, Algebra I usually involves setting-up and solving algebraic word problems. Knowing all of these concepts will be necessary for high school math courses.

Middle school math reviews previously taught concepts of general math and many new concepts in algebra and geometry. Students who are successful in middle school math will be ready to tackle the complexities of high school algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and advanced math courses.