Shulamith School For Girls

The goal of the math department at Shulamith School for Girls Middle Division is to help students master the essential math skills that serve as a foundation for more advanced study of mathematics and that are also essential for everyday life while following the NYS Math Curriculum.

In the sixth grade, students learn to compute accurately and make reasonable estimates. Students learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions as well as decimals. The curriculum includes teaching students to master the concepts of percent, geometric relationships, graphing, and to solve and analyze algebraically a broad spectrum of problems.

In the seventh grade, the skills that are taught include solving multistep equations, translating English to algebra, solving word problems. Various topics in geometry, including perimeters, areas and surface areas of specific geometric shapes are also covered.

Our grade eight non-Regents math class follows the NYS Math Curriculum for Grade eight. Topics include: solving word problems with percentages, scientific notation, more advanced geometric concepts about polygons, construction of different kinds of graphs and concepts of algebra that will be serve students in ninth grade. Some of those topics are the Pythagorean Theorem, linear functions, slope, and polynomials.

The grade eight Regents class follows the curriculum for Integrated Math, solving equations, learning how to factor binomials and trinomials, and working with quadratic equations, systems of equations, and parabolas. The study of geometry includes mastery of the properties of right triangles, including the Pythagorean Theorem and trigonometric functions. Students learn to graph different types of equations and/or inequalities.

Concepts in math are spiraled and taught in greater and more complex detail as students progress from six through eighth grade. Students who need extra help are offered lunchtime workshops and students who excel may take advantage of enrichment problems. While making math both challenging and fun, our department gives students a sense of accomplishment and prepares them for high school and for real life situations where math is a crucial component of problem solving.