The Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks are used to construct the Chenery Middle School Mathematics Curriculum. Presently the district is engaged in transitioning from the 2000/2004 Frameworks to the newly adopted framework.
To view the frameworks please click on the following link: Current Curriculum Frameworks
Below is a chart which clearly lays out the focus of the math curriculum at each grade level from pre-kindergarten through grade 8.
In addition the upper school mathematics program will include a compacted pathway in which students will complete the content of grade 7, grade 8 and the high school Algebra 1 course.
The Massachusetts frameworks emphasize eight Standards for Mathematical Practice which will be incorporated into our curriculum at all grade levels in order to develop the mathematical thinking of all students.
Critical Areas by Grade Level
The new frameworks designate critical areas at each grade level.
- Lower School
- Upper School
Lower School
In grade 5, instructional time will focus on three critical areas:
- Developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, and developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions in limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions).
- Extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations.
- Developing understanding of volume.
In grade 6, instructional time will focus on four critical areas:
- Connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division, and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems.
- Completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers.
- Writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations.
- Developing understanding of statistical thinking.
Upper School
As we transition to the 2011 Massachusetts Framework, the upper school mathematics program will include a compacted pathway in which students will complete the content of grade 7, grade 8 and the high school Algebra 1 course over two years.
In
grade 7, instructional time will focus on four critical areas:
- Developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships.
- Developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations.
- Solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
- Drawing inferences about populations based on samples.
In grade 8, instructional time will focus on three critical areas:
- Formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations.
- Grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships.
- Analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.
In Algebra 1, instructional time will focus on the areas below:
Seeing Structure in Expressions
- Interpret the structure of expressions.
- Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems.
Arithmetic with Polynomials and Rational Expressions
- Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials.
- Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials.
- Use polynomial identities to solve problems.
- Rewrite rational expressions.
Creating Equations
- Create equations that describe numbers or relationships.
Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities
- Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning.
- Solve equations and inequalities in one variable.
- Solve systems of equations.