Jefferson County Schools
Jefferson County Schools

Mathematics - Grade 8

Mathematics

The Tennessee Mathematics Framework for grades 9 through 12 includes skills for many different High School level courses, and contains the following process standards:

MATHEMATICS AS PROBLEM SOLVING

The study of mathematics must emphasize Problem Solving opportunities which require various approaches to investigate, understand, and apply mathematical concepts.
The development of each learner’s ability to solve problems is essential if he or she is to be a productive citizen. We strongly endorse the first recommendation of An Agenda for Action (NCTM, 1980): "Problem solving must be the focus of school mathematics." To develop such abilities, students need to work on problems that may take hours, days, and even weeks to solve. Some may be relatively simple exercises to be accomplished independently; some should involve small groups or an entire class working cooperatively; and some problems should also be open-ended with no single right answer.
"Mathematics as Problem Solving" emphasizes the learners’ use of a broad base of strategies to:
Investigate and understand mathematical content
Recognize and formulate problems from within and outside of mathematics
Use mathematical modeling and appropriate technology to solve a wide variety of problems, including real-world problems.
Generalize solutions and strategies, applying them to new problems
Increase confidence in their ability to use mathematics meaningfully and to become independent problem solvers.

MATHEMATICS AS COMMUNICATION

The study of mathematics must emphasize Communication by requiring opportunities to explain, conjecture, summarize, and defend one’s ideas orally, in writing, and through the use of technology.
The development of a learner’s power to think mathematically involves learning the signs, symbols, and terms of mathematics. This is best accomplished in problem situations in which students have an opportunity to read, write, and discuss ideas in which the use of the language of mathematics becomes natural. As students communicate their ideas, they learn to clarify, refine, and consolidate their answers.
"Mathematics as Communication" focuses on the learners’ development of using language and symbols to:
Reflect and clarify thinking about mathematical ideas and situations
Express mathematical ideas and relationships, orally, in writing, and with physical material, pictures, and diagrams
Understand and value the role of mathematical notation
Realize that representing, discussing, listening, writing, and reading mathematics are vital aspect of mathematics study and use
Use mathematical notation to formulate generalizations.

MATHEMATICS AS REASONING

The study of mathematics must emphasize Reasoning which requires critical thinking, logical argument, and justification of solutions, of thought processes, and of conjectures.
Making conjectures, gathering evidence, and building an argument to support such notions are fundamental to doing mathematics. In fact, a demonstration of good reasoning should be rewarded even more than the learner’s ability to find correct answers.
"Mathematics as Reasoning" concentrates on leading the learners to:
Make and test mathematical conjectures
Make, follow, and judge the value of mathematical arguments
Draw logical conclusions
Justify solution-finding processes and answers.

MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS

The study of mathematics must emphasize making Connections among the various topics within mathematics, between mathematics and other disciplines, and between mathematics and "real world" situations.
The mathematics curriculum is often viewed as consisting of several discrete stands; so topics tend to be taught in isolation. Unless the learners connect ideas both among and between areas of mathematics, they learn isolated skills rather than develop the ability to recognize general principles and procedures relevant to several areas. Connecting conceptual understanding to procedures will enable learners to apply, recreate, and invent new procedures when needed. Failure to connect conceptual understanding to procedures results in a view of mathematics as an arbitrary set of rules. Learners should have many opportunities to observe and work with the interaction of mathematics with other subjects and with everyday society. Problems become meaningful when they relate to the learners’ experiences. Mathematics must be integrated into contexts that give its symbols and processes practical meaning. The school environment is rich with opportunities to use mathematics in other subject areas as well as other subject area content in mathematics.
"Mathematical Connections" concentrate on enabling the learners to:
Appreciate mathematics as an integrated whole, linking conceptual and procedural knowledge within the discipline and relating multiple representations of concepts or procedures to one another.
Apply mathematical thinking and modeling to solve substantial problems that arise in other disciplines and curriculum areas, such as art, business, music, psychology, industrial arts, computer technology, social studies, and sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
Use, recognize, and value the varied roles of mathematics in their lives, cultures, and society.

The Principles and Standards for School Mathematics describe the mathematical understanding, knowledge, and skills that students should acquire from prekindergarten through grade 12.

Algebra I is the Tennessee End-of-course test that must be passed before graduation to earn a high school diploma.

Grade 8

The Terra Nova Complete Battery assesses students in eighth grade (Level 18).

The Tennessee Mathematics Curriculum Standards provide standards, performance indicators, and accomplishments for students in eighth grade.