Mathematics Curriculum (High School)
Guiding Philosophy:
The mathematics curriculum guidelines envision that all students at Scituate High School achieve mathematical competency through a strong mathematics program that emphasizes problem solving and communicating mathematical reasoning. Acquiring such competency depends in on a clear, comprehensive, coherent, and developmentally appropriate set of standards to govern curriculum these expectations.
Mathematical problem solving requires the solver to search for a method for solving a problem rather than following a set procedure. Students will formulate questions, model problem situations in a variety of ways, generalize mathematical relationships, and solve problems in both a mathematical and an everyday context.
The ability to communicate mathematical ideas coherently is an essential component of a student’s mathematical development. By talking and writing about mathematics, students will make convincing arguments that represent mathematical ideas both verbally and symbolically.
Primary Objectives:
The mathematics curriculum at Scituate High School is based upon the strands outlined initially by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in The Principles of Mathematics Education and formulated by the Massachusetts Department of Education in Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework. The four strands are as follows: Number Sense; Patterns, Relations and Algebra; Geometry and Measurement; and Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability.
The study of numbers and operations is the cornerstone of the mathematics curriculum. At the high school level understanding systems of numbers is enhanced through the formal exploration of real numbers and computations with them. Thereafter students investigate complex numbers and relationships between the real and complex number systems.
Patterns, relations, and algebra are integral to the study of mathematics. Students should be aware of the mathematics in patterns and use mathematical representations to describe patterns. The study of relations and functions is an integral component to representing patterns in a mathematical model. Algebra is a branch of mathematics that uses symbolic notation to express ideas, make generalizations, and solve problems.
Geometry and measurement are among the most ancient of mathematical studies. Geometry is the study of the structure and space around us. Students will use geometric axioms, formal reasoning and proof to increase their knowledge of the physical and spatial universe surrounding them. The measurable attributes of an object such as length, perimeter, area, volume and angle measure is essential component of the study of geometry.
Statistics and probability is the study of reasoning through data analysis. In today's society, it is essential that students are able to make informed decisions. Students will be able to take data and to study its graphs, tables, or charts in order to draw appropriate conclusion.
Math Curriculum:
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