King Philip North Middle School

 

Grade 8 Pre-Algebra Syllabus

 

The first goal of this course is to provide final preparations for the formal study of Algebra and Geometry.

 

The second goal is to enable us to explore applications of concepts to a variety of problem-solving situations.

 

 The textbook we will be using is Mathematical Connections, A Bridge to Algebra and Geometry, McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin

 

Tentative Schedule of Year:

 

TERM 1:       

 

Main ideas of Chapter 1

Connecting Arithmetic and Algebra

            Variables and expressions

Properties

            Exponents

            Order of Operations

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 2

Introduction to Algebra

            Simplifying Expressions

            Combining Like Terms

            Problem Solving using the Four-Step Plan

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 3

Integers

Number Line

            Addition and Subtraction of Integers with same and different signs

            Multiplication and Division of Integers with same and different signs

            Evaluating Expressions

            The Coordinate Plane

                        Graphing Functions

 

TERM 2:

 

Main Ideas of chapter 4

Equations

            Problem Solving

            Using the four operations

            Two Step Equations

            Writing Variable Expressions and equations

           

Main Ideas of Chapter 5

Graphs and Data Analysis

            Interpreting pictographs, bar graphs and line graphs

            Drawing graphs

            Mean, Median, Mode and Range

            Data Collection and Frequency Tables

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 11

Statistics and Circle Graphs

            Frequency Tables with Intervals

            Stem and Leaf  Plots, Histograms, Box and Whisker

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 6                           

Introduction to Geometry                  

Points, Lines and Planes                    

Measuring, Drawing and Identifying Angles

            Perpendicular and Parallel Lines

            Polygons, Triangles and Quadrilaterals

            Patterns

            Symmetry

 

TERM 3:

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 10

Circles and Polygons

            Perimeter and Area of Polygons

            Circumference and Area of Circles

            Congruent and Similar Polygons

            Indirect Measurement

            Square Roots

            Pythagorean Theorem

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 14

Surface Area and Volume

            Space figures

            Surface area of prisms, cylinders

            Volume of prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones

            Spheres

 

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 7

Number Theory and Fraction Concepts

            Factors and Prime Numbers

            Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple

            Equivalent Fractions, Simplifying and Comparing Fractions

 Fractions and Decimals

Rational Numbers

Graphing Open Sentences

Negative and Zero Exponents

TERM 4:

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 8

Rational Numbers

            Multiplying and Dividing Rational Numbers

            Adding and Subtracting with like/unlike denominators

            Equations Involving Rational Numbers

            Using Reciprocals to Solve Equations

                       

Main Ideas of Chapter 9

Ratio, Proportion and Percent

            Ratio and Rate

            Proportions

            Scale Drawings

Percents- Three Cases

Percent of Increase or Decrease

Percents and Proportions

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 12

Probability

            Probability and Odds

Counting Principle

Independent and Dependent Events

Permutations and Combinations

Experimental Probability

Using Samples to Make Predictions

 

Main Ideas of Chapter 13

Inequalities and graphing

            Equations with two variables

            Graphing equations with two variables

            Slope and intercepts