MATH
UNDERSTANDING NUMBERS AND SOLVING
REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS
We believe in engaging all students in math lessons that help them grow their abilities and knowledge. Responding to the individual needs and strengths of each student is a priority in math instruction. Through their math education, students should learn to apply math to real-world settings.
Contact
Gail Moore
Math curriculum specialist
360-313-1020
Email
CORE CONCEPTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Elementary
Curriculum and standards
Addition and subtraction: Concepts, skills and problem-solving, place value
Kindergarten: Add/Subtract within 5
- First grade: Add/Subtract within 10
- Second grade: Add/subtract within 100 and single-digit sums and differences (sums from memory by end of second grade)
Multiplication and division of whole numbers and fractions: Concepts, skills and problem solving; single-digit products and quotients
Third grade: Single-digit multiplication (accurately multiply and divide within 100); add/subtract within 1,000
Fourth grade: Add/subtract within 1,000,000
Fifth grade: Multi-digit multiplication
Middle school
Curriculum and standards
Sixth grade
Ratios and relationships with fractions
Early expressions and equations
- Multi-digit division
Multi-digit decimal operations
Seventh grade
Ratios and relationships with fractions
Arithmetic of rational numbers
Eighth grade
- Linear equations
Linear functions
Middle school pathways
Sixth grade
Sixth grade is an important year in students’ math education. Math content standards have changed. Many important math concepts previously taught at higher grades have shifted to sixth grade. Most VPS students begin their middle school math sequence with Math I. This is an important foundational course for success in middle school math and beyond.
Accelerated pathways
In special circumstances, skipping Math I and accelerating to Math II/III in sixth grade may be appropriate (see pathway 3). A parent or teacher may request their child take a sixth grade end-of-course exam by contacting their child’s elementary school teacher to begin the middle school math acceleration request process. The district requirement for placement in Math II/III in sixth grade is a combination of data matrix scores and a 90% pass rate on the end-of-course exam. It is important to note that in this accelerated pathway, students will take geometry in the eighth grade either at their local high school (own transportation) or online.
In seventh grade, students who exceeded grade-level standards the previous year and meet certain criteria will be enrolled in an accelerated pathway (see pathway 2). They will take a course that covers both seventh and eighth grade standards. Then, in eighth grade, these students will go on to take a high school Algebra I class.
While the accelerated pathway is an opportunity for some students, it may not be the preferred option for some parents and guardians, who may opt to have their child remain in the traditional sequence of math courses. It is important to remember that this sequence is designed to help students gain a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.
Fifth grade checkpoint |
Sixth grade |
Checkpoint |
Seventh grade |
Eighth grade |
Checkpoint |
Ninth grade |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pathway 1 |
Review of student progress | Math I | Review of student progress | Math II | Math III | Review of student progress | Algebra I |
Pathway 2 |
Review of student progress | Math I | Review of student progress | Math II/III | Algebra I | Review of student progress | Geometry |
Pathway 3 (requires end-of-course exam) |
Review of student progress | Math II/III | Review of student progress | Algebra I | Geometry (online or at neighborhood high school) | Review of student progress | Algebra II |
High school
Course options
Graduation requirements
Curriculum and standards
Ratios and relationships with fractions
- Percentages and unit conversions (e.g., in the context of complicated measurement problems involving quantities with derived or compound units)
- Basic function concepts (e.g., by interpreting the features of a graph in the context of an applied problem)
- Concepts and skills of geometric measurement (e.g., when analyzing a diagram or schematic)
- Concepts and skills of basic statistics and probability
- Performing rational number arithmetic fluently
Algebra I
Algebra II
Applied algebra (career and technical education dual credit)
Geometry
Concepts and skills of basic statistics and probability
Statistics and data literacy
Modeling our world with mathematics
Pre-calculus
Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate calculus
Advanced Placement statistics
Bridge to College
All public high school students are required to meet statewide graduation requirements to earn a diploma.
- 1 credit of Algebra I
- 1 credit of geometry
1 credit of a high school–level math course that meets the student’s education and career goals identified in their high school and beyond plan