Math 7
Ms. Lisa Clark-Burnell
Fall 2024 & Spring 2025
Math 7 meets two days a week
14-week long fall and spring semesters.
3 hours of in-person instruction per week (no remote option)
$625 per semester
2024-25 Class times Mondays & Wednesdays 9 to 10:30 am.
This class is the first year of a two-year pre-algebra sequence.
Year 1: Math 7. This first year, we cover all of integrated math 7 which introduces students to much of traditional pre-algebra topics. After this class student are ready for Honors Pre-Algebra + Math 8 here at Farm School. (Yes, we do both math courses in one year as there is a fair amount of overlap and students are well prepared from our Math 7 course to tackle both Pre-algebra and Math 8.)
Year 2: Honors Pre-algebra + Math 8 We master traditional pre-algebra skills at an advanced level as well as introduce a significant number of algebra and geometry concepts. After this second year, students are ready to rock a rigorous Honors Algebra 1 or Integrated Math I.
After these two classes, students are ready for Honors Algebra 1 (which I usually offer) or an easier Integrated Math 1 course (which I do not teach).
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FAST MATH FACTS: Work on fast multiplication of “times tables” 1-10.
Work on the list of prerequisite topics in the link above.
Many students find Beast Academy Level 5 especially helpful. This is probably the best elementary math course currently available.
Other students prefer a traditional or common core 6th grade math course.
Note: 6th grade math is mostly a review of 5th grade math. The new concepts in 6th grade math are ratios and proportions. So I sometimes have students who are really good at math skip grade 6 and go straight to this math 7 class. If your child wants to get ahead and rocked 5th grade math, talk to me.
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Students will master all of Common Core Math 7. This is a self-contained class; no additional parental instruction is required.
Detailed course outline is here.
These are all the Math 7 Concepts
Variables & Expressions: use order of operations to simplify variable expressions and combine like terms
Exponent rules: solve 7³ ÷ 7², intro to negative exponents, scientific notation
Factors: Find greatest common factors, least common multiple simplify 21a²/49ab. Explore factoring polynomials with algebra tiles
Fractions review (but students should have a solid grasp of fractions from 4th, 5th and 6th grade math.)
multiply and divide fractions, (it’s also helpful but not critical to be able to clear fractions when solving an equation by multiplying by the reciprocal): -5/48= -5/6+5x/16
add and subtract mixed numbers both like and unlike denominators
Equations: Solve single-variable equations using multiple transformations such as 6x + 2 = 2(3x+1) or (6x +3)/2 = 5x-1.
Introduction to Graphing linear equations, including direct variation as well as relations and functions: what is a function? how to use the vertical line test. What is slope?
Rates, Ratios and Proportions:
write an equivalent rate if a jet flies 540 miles per hour write it’s rate in miles per minute by multiplying by a conversion factor
solve proportions 5/6 = x/18
find the ratio of corresponding side lengths of similar figures, make scale drawings,
Probability & Odds: Theoretical and experimental probability. Use experimental probability to predict probability (If I can make 65% of my free throw shots predict how many shots I’ll make if I take 43 shots over the season?)
Percents
convert fractions to decimals to percents and vice versa
Solve the three basic percent problems: what number is 42% of 93? What percent of 110 is 43? 11 is 22% of what number?
Simple interest problems: Interest = prt, Balance of Account = P + prt. Calculate rate given principal, time and principal.
Geometry:
Perimeter, Area of 2-D and 3-D shapes such as triangles, circles, parallelograms, trapezoids,
Volume of prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones
Introduction to classifying triangles by angles, side length. Using Pythagorean theorem to solve problems
Introduction to angle relationships: classifying special angle pairs such as vertical angles, complementary & supplementary angles, identify angles formed by a transversal intersection to parallel lines
Polynomials
Add and subtract polynomials: (x² +4x -9) - (4x² - 5x +11)
Multiply monomials and polynomials using the distributive property: 2x(-3x+7)
Data analysis & Statistics: measures of central tendency such as mean, median and mode,
Pedagogy - How is this class taught?
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Read more HERE
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We use Algebra Lab Gear manipulatives to give students a visual and kinesthetic foundation for understanding algebra.
Students build expressions using variable blocks and base-ten blocks.
This hands-on and visual-geometric foundation enables students to make the leap from concrete to abstract thinking which is at the heart of algebra. This facilitates a deeper conceptual understanding rather than simply a rote memorization of algorithms.
The transition to abstract manipulation of terms in expressions and equations becomes intuitive after using Algebra Tiles.
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Along the way we’ll play math games to pique curiosity, learn to look for patterns, and for the sheer joy of solving a good math puzzle.
I also introduce puzzles to help students become familiar with math vocabulary and to lay a foundation for more complicated problems.
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Preview via games
Some math concepts need time to sink in, so we explore them via games weeks before we dive into that topic fully. This builds prior knowledge so students are familiar with the vocabulary and concepts.
Review problems and curated video library
Students do review problems with most homework sets to help them remember what they’ve learned to keep skills sharp.
We also play review games to keep our math vocabulary and problem solving skills current.
I have a curated library of online videos for at home reinforcement covering most topics so students may watch demonstrations of how to solve similar problems once they get home if they need more reinforcement or they need to watch a slightly different explanation of how to tackle a problem.
Parents students aren’t stuck sifting through dozens of mediocre or partially relevant videos while looking for a good one! I’ve already found the best videos pertaining to our homework sets to save time.
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We make time for students to build friendships. Short brain breaks during class and a lunch recess following class during means time for students to chat and socialize. Having math buddies makes learning more fun.
Pacing, Homework, Grading, Math 7 Standards
This is a self-contained Math 7 class. Parents do not need to supplement their student’s learning. Everything a student needs for Math 7 is taught in this course.
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In this two-semester class, we move at an easy pace so that students have time to internalize concepts.
This gives us time for students to both learn new math concepts AND how to be an excellent math student (formatting homework properly, showing work, keeping an organized math binder).
During the second semester we increase the number of new concepts we explore each week as students’ capacity to absorb new math content increases.
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Every student does the basic homework problems. Additionally, I offer challenge problems for students who want to try their hand at more difficult problems.
This challenge problems are called SQUARE problems. They are a bit more complicated or nuanced.
Students get one bonus point in the homework category for tackling square work.
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Homework is a safe place to make mistakes. Making mistakes AND LEARNING FROM THEM is how we grow.
Therefore, Math 7 students get grades on individual HW assignments based upon completion, showing work, correcting errors, not on whether or not they got the problem right.
I give students the answers to problems-- they show their work and self-correct including re-attempting problems they missed. Problems they still can’t figure out, we’ll work on in class together.
Students SELF-ASSESS their own homework.
Math 7 students will get feedback on occasional low-stakes quizzes and tests, ie. 8 out of 10 problems correct.
Students will not get an overall grade in the class. I do not keep a grade book in this class (but I do in my higher math classes).
Reinforcement for good learning habits: Students earn excellent learning habits tickets for homework turned in on time, for keeping an organized notebook, for preparing their test notecards, and other excellent learning habits.
A gradebook is maintained for the higher math classes, Honors Pre-Algebra + Math 8 and Honors Algebra 1.
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Detailed course outline is here.
Variables & Expressions: use order of operations to simplify variable expressions and combine like terms
Exponent rules: solve 7³ ÷ 7², intro to negative exponents, scientific notation
Factors: Find greatest common factors, least common multiple simplify 21a²/49ab. Explore factoring polynomials with algebra tiles
Fractions review (but students should have a solid grasp of fractions from 4th, 5th and 6th grade math.)
multiply and divide fractions, (it’s also helpful but not critical to be able to clear fractions when solving an equation by multiplying by the reciprocal): -5/48= -5/6+5x/16
add and subtract mixed numbers both like and unlike denominators
Equations: Solve single-variable equations using multiple transformations such as 6x + 2 = 2(3x+1) or (6x +3)/2 = 5x-1.
Introduction to Graphing linear equations, including direct variation as well as relations and functions: what is a function? how to use the vertical line test. What is slope?
Rates, Ratios and Proportions:
write an equivalent rate if a jet flies 540 miles per hour write it’s rate in miles per minute by multiplying by a conversion factor
solve proportions 5/6 = x/18
find the ratio of corresponding side lengths of similar figures, make scale drawings,
Probability & Odds: Theoretical and experimental probability. Use experimental probability to predict probability (If I can make 65% of my free throw shots predict how many shots I’ll make if I take 43 shots over the season?)
Percents
convert fractions to decimals to percents and vice versa
Solve the three basic percent problems: what number is 42% of 93? What percent of 110 is 43? 11 is 22% of what number?
Simple interest problems: Interest = prt, Balance of Account = P + prt. Calculate rate given principal, time and principal.
Geometry:
Perimeter, Area of 2-D and 3-D shapes such as triangles, circles, parallelograms, trapezoids,
Volume of prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones
Introduction to classifying triangles by angles, side length. Using Pythagorean theorem to solve problems
Introduction to angle relationships: classifying special angle pairs such as vertical angles, complementary & supplementary angles, identify angles formed by a transversal intersection to parallel lines
Polynomials
Add and subtract polynomials: (x² +4x -9) - (4x² - 5x +11)
Multiply monomials and polynomials using the distributive property: 2x(-3x+7)
Data analysis & Statistics: measures of central tendency such as mean, median and mode,
SUPPLIES
Overview:
I loan students a textbook.
There are links to two pdfs for notetaking and worksheets that students print out at home.
Then student purchase their own set of Algebra Lab Gear (math manipulatives which we call Algebra Tiles).
The rest is standard math supplies.
TEXTBOOK IS PROVIDED
I provide this textbook for students to borrow: Holt McDougal Mathematics Grade 7— However, if you know your kiddo is really hard on textbooks, you may want to buy your own copy for $15-20.
PERSONAL SUPPLIES STUDENTS SHOULD BRING EACH WEEK
#1
Print this out: K.I.N. Know-it-Notebook for in-class notetaking. See PDF below.
This notebook makes in-class notetaking considerably faster, especially for younger students, and often more legible and thus useful as a study tool.
This 2011 consumable notebook is now out of print so I have a PDF of it available: pages 1-60 and 60 to 120, 120 to end.
(If you can find a copy of it this is what you’re looking for: Grade 7 Know-it-Notebook (We used to be able to find it for $20 Purchase HERE) ISBN 0547687850 or 13 digit ISBN ISBN 978-0-547-68785-8 )
#2
Print this out: H.W.P.W. Homework & Practice Workbook for classwork review
This notebook helps students review concepts through the year.
This 2011 consumable notebook is now out of print so I have a PDF of it available below in sections. You can print it out all at the beginning of the semester (we occasionally do pages out of order). Or wait to see what pages I assign each week.
(If you can find a new copy of it from used sellers, this is what you’re looking for: Holt McDougal Grade 7 Mathematics Homework and Practice Workbook Purchase HERE -sometimes available for $8) What students don’t finish in class will be homework.
#3
Algebra Lab Gear
Produced by Didax available on their website or Rainbow Resource or Amazon for about $25. Yes, students need the 3-D pieces for work with volume and quadratic expressions
Students should get a large shoe box or tupperware container to dump these in a store them at school. The box they come in is too small for everyday use unless you are amazingly fast at Tetris.
During the first week I’ll show students how to modify these so you have NEGATIVE tiles (you’ll spray paint one side red.)
The rest of this list is traditional math supplies.
#4 Three-ring binder with at least one pocket and four tabs labelled
Pocket is for HW to be turned in
K.I.N. Know it Notebook pages
OLD HW & Handouts “Bluey” Homework and work pages (lined paper to show steps if there isn’t room on the Bluey page which there often is not)
OLD Quizzes/Tests
Paper (lined and graph)
#5 Small spiral notebook with at least two divisions or two composition books
IMPS Important Math Principles which are definitions, formulas etc.
Classwork/Notes
#6 Lined paper & graph paper (wide ruled is best) for doing HW
#7 Calculator
Students need one which handles exponents and grouping symbols. The Casio fx-300ESPLS2 or TI-30xIIS are good models for under $15.
#8. Good pencils & erasers, plus colored pencils or pens for annotation and correcting work, (post-it notes are handy but not required)
#9. Protractor (transparent), drawing compass, & ruler
Buy a protractor. Don’t rent a set from a charter school as those rented ones are worthless. A good protractor is a transparent semi circle and has a swing arm. They are about 5$ and students will use it through geometry.
Optional Recommended App
Kahoot Algebra by DragonBox (previously named DragonBox 5) or Kahoot Algebra 2 (previously DragonBox 12 -possibly with some actual algebra 2 content.)