Great Exploration in Mathematics (GEM)

• 6th Grade – GEM-6 (Pre-Algebra)
  • In this course, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade standards are taught in one year.
  • Successful completion of this course is intended to prepare the students for Algebra I Honors in 7th grade.

Sixth grade GEM requires students to take a District Midterm and Final Exam, which accounts for 25% of their grade.

PRE-ALGEBRA (GEM 6) Course Expectations 

6^th grade advanced standards

7^th grade advanced standards

(GEM PRE-ALGEBRA pulls standards from both courses listed above)

The objective of this course is to incorporate critical thinking skills while expanding upon the mathematical content fundamental to high school level course work, specifically Algebra I Honors. Particularly, emphasis will be placed on learning how to manipulate variables in algebraic expressions and multi-step equations. The content may include, but not be limited to, algebra, estimation, geometry, graphing, number theory, percent, probability, statistics, problem-solving, ratio, proportion, scientific notation, and rational numbers.

Focusing on the use of algebraic skills for problem-solving, this course has a fast pace requiring 30-45 minutes of homework daily, involves independent work, follows the Broward County recommended sequence, which builds in-depth coverage of concepts, and makes use of multi-concept questions on tests which require students to involve the application of skills learned.

It is strongly recommended that students who choose this course do so with the understanding that the curriculum is two grade levels above a 6th-grade level course.

• 7th Grade – GEM-7 (Algebra I Honors)
  • The score a student earns on the Algebra 1 End-of-Course Exam will count as 30% of the Algebra 1 Honors course grade.

ALGEBRA I HONORS (GEM 7) Course Expectations

• Algebra 1 Honors Standards

  This is a high school course for high school credit. Algebra I Honors in the 7th grade is a continuum of GEM 6. The objective of this course is to provide a rigorous and in-depth study of Algebra I Honors, emphasizing deductive reasoning skills, as a foundation for more advanced mathematics courses. The content may include, but not be limited to, operations and properties used within the real number system, algebraic and graphical solutions to first-degree equations and inequalities in one and two variables, operations with polynomials, rational and irrational algebraic expressions, quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, and quadratic functions. Throughout this course, students are expected to develop the skills needed to solve mathematical problems. There is a strong emphasis on algebraic problem-solving.

  This course has a fast pace requiring 45-60 minutes of homework daily and involves independent work. Students should be highly motivated, responsible, self-directed, and committed to spending the time required to gain proficiency with the content skills. Additionally, there will be a midterm exam, a final exam, an End of Course State Exam, and the letter grade will count towards the high school GPA.

  It is suggested that students have a strong work ethic, can independently complete homework and study for tests, are self- motivated, give 100% effort, participate in class discussions, and enjoy the challenge of an extremely rigorous curriculum.

• 8th Grade – GEM-8 (Geometry Honors)
  • The score a student earns on the Geometry End-of-Course Exam will count as 30% of the Geometry Honors course grade.

GEOMETRY HONORS (GEM 8) Course Expectations

Geometry Honors Course Standards

This is a high school course for credit. Students who enroll in this course should be strong Algebra I Honors students who have demonstrated mastery of algebra skills as evidenced by their grades and exam scores. This course is a rigorous and in-depth high school course that helps lay the foundation for higher-level math work such as AICE, AP coursework, and college entrance exams. The emphasis is on methods of proof, the formal language of mathematics, the fundamental properties of geometry, the understanding of deductive and inductive reasoning, solving real-world problems by applying the geometric properties and algebraic skills and using transformational and coordinate geometry.

This course has a fast pace requiring 45-60 minutes of homework daily and involves a good deal of independent work since the approach of the course is the discovery method. Students should be highly motivated, responsible, self-directed, and committed to spending the time required to gain proficiency with the content skills. It is highly recommended (and necessary for success) that students have a strong working knowledge of algebra for this class. Tests involve questions requiring the application and proof (both formal and informal) of skills learned. Additionally, there will be a midterm exam, and a State End of Course Exam and the letter grade will count towards the high school GPA.