7th Grade Math

Ms. McGrath

Contact Information:
   phone: (847) 432-3858 x245
   e-mail: kmcgrath@nssd112.org

Units of Study:

PreAlgebra (Regular and Advanced)

  • Number sense and patterns
  • Variables, expressions and integers
  • Fraction operations and exponents
  • Number theory (factors, multiples)
  • Equation and inequality solving
  • Ratio, proportion and percent
  • Data Analysis and probability
  • Real numbers and right triangles
  • Linear function and graphing
  • Measurement (perimeter, area, volume)
  • Polygons and transformations
Algebra
  • Expressions, variables, translation to algebra
  • Equation solving (multi-step,linear, with absolute value)
  • Inequality solving (multi-step, compound, with absolute value)
  • Properties (distributive, substitution, of equality and inequality)
  • Signed numbers
  • Application of equations (rate, percent, ratio and proportion)
  • Graphing (linear and non-linear using different equation forms)
  • Formulas (including quadratic) and functions
  • Mean, median, mode
  • Solving systems of equations and inequalities (graphing, substitution, multiplication/addition)
  • Exponents and radicals
  • Polynomials (all operations and factoring)
  • Quadratics (graphing, completing the square, projectile motion)
My Beliefs
  1. Math is everywhere, beautiful, fun and useful.
  2. You are smart. You are a growing mathematician who will increase your appreciation of math and your math talents this year, as your knowledge, skills and application of math also increase.
  3. You are a gift to our class. You already have so much math experience and insight to share, with more on its way.
  4. There is always a way to “get the job done.”
    Use your good brain to come up with good ways to accomplish the work you are asked to do as your “job.”
    You CAN overcome any obstacles that may get in your way. These are great opportunities for more good problem solving practice.


Our Class Set Up:  to help us increase our delight and growth in math:
  1. Everyone “counts“.
    Each of us has something worthwhile to share. As ONE person speaks, the rest of us actively listen respectfully.
  2. Everyone is responsible for her/his own learning.   Effort and hard work pay off.
    a) Bring ALL your materials to class to be ready to do the “work”.
    b) Open your mind to hearing, seeing, understanding, and doing.
    1. Follow and take notes in class
    2. Work with the material in class and at home (the purpose of homework).
    3. Persist, even when it gets “hard” for you. Take a deep breath. Remind yourself you have learned things before when you had a “hard” time. Most problems in life do not get solved in a few minutes (or a class period). It will take time and effort.
  3. How to deal with your questions:
    a) Questions mean your brain is engaged and active, so you can learn. GREAT!
    b) WAIT BEFORE YOU ASK. Use what I call “ONE, TWO, THREE then ask me (the teacher).” This is based on research of ways to “grow dendrites” (pathways in your brain). The good news is you will have these pathways available for later situations for the rest of your life.

ONE - Take a deep breath to get calm and remind yourself you WILL get this.
If questions come during class instruction, you can jot down a note about your question to help remind you if your question has not been answered by the end of instruction.

TWO - Look at your resources( notes, text, etc.) to help you answer your question.

THREE - Ask your partner in class (or at home, call a friend, ask a family member?).
When someone gets the chance to explain, they learn along with you.

THEN ASK ME (the teacher). You have done valuable work with the material to grow your brain. Now is the time to ask me. In class, just raise your hand and I will be glad to help. If it is at home, come see me before school (from 7:20 a.m. every morning) or at lunch (just let me know you want to come in).

Daily Start Up:

  1. Get out your materials (spiral notebook, pencil(s), calculator, assignment notebook and text. (HINT: Put your name on all these with a marker so they can return to you.)
  2. Open to your homework from the last class ready to ask questions (HINT: Mark these at home as you correct your homework from the text/answers.)

Grades: Based on points earned in a quarter.
  1. Daily homework for practice/mastery - 2 pts if completely done (see following policy)
  2. Quizzes to assess what you know and still needs work - 10 to 25 pts.
  3. Other assignments as appropriate, with varying points.
  4. Tests to assess entire unit -100 pts. I ask you get each test signed by a parent and returned to me. Good information for you to share with the home front.

Homework: purpose is to practice, reinforce, extend and enrich class material.
  1. Assigned and done daily (missed, late, absent-day assignments must be done).
  2. Record in your assignment notebook when assigned.
  3. Do in your math spiral.
  4. Put page number and problems on top of page.
  5. Number each problem and, yes, SHOW ALL your WORK.
  6. Circle the answer OR put it in an answer column you created.
  7. CORRECT from the key as you go. Rework problems that are wrong.
  8. Star (or indicate in some way) what problems you want to ask about.

Click here for Edgewood's Homework Policy.