Math Essentials, Middle School Level Lessons and Activities for Test Preparation

by Thompson, Frances McBroom

• ISBN13: 9780787966027
• ISBN10: 0787966029
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-19
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Math Essentials, Middle School Level gives middle school math teachers the tools they need to help prepare all types of students (including gifted and learning disabled) for mathematics testing and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards. Math Essentials highlights Dr. Thompson's proven approach by incorporating manipulatives, diagrams, and independent practice. This dynamic book covers thirty key objectives arranged in four sections. Each objective includes three activities (two developmental lessons and one independent practice) and a list of commonly made errors related to the objective. The book's activities are designed to be flexible and can be used as a connected set or taught separately, depending on the learning needs of your students. Most activities and problems also include a worksheet and an answer key and each of the four sections contains a practice test with an answer key.

Author Biography

Frances McBroom Thompson, Ph.D. has taught mathematics at the junior and senior high school levels and has served as a K-12 mathematics specialist. She holds a B.S. in mathematics education from Abilene Christian University (Texas), a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas in Austin, and a doctoral degree in mathematics education from the University of Georgia at Athens. Dr. Thompson has published numerous articles and conducts workshops for teachers at the elementary and secondary levels.

Table of Contents

The Author	xv
Notes to the Teacher	xvii
Section 1: Number, Operation, and Quantitative Reasoning	1	(128)
Compare and order fractions, decimals (including tenths and hundredths), and percents, and find their approximate locations on a number line	1	(11)
Multiply decimals to solve word problems	12	(14)
Divide decimals to solve word problems	26	(18)
Estimate solutions to multistepped word problems by rounding with decimals	44	(11)
Add fractions or mixed numbers to solve word problems	55	(14)
Subtract fractions or mixed numbers to solve word problems	69	(13)
Divide fractions or mixed numbers to solve word problems	82	(15)
Multiply fractions or mixed numbers to solve word problems	97	(16)
Develop and apply scientific notation to solve word problems	113	(16)
Practice Test	123	(6)
Section 2: Proportional and Algebraic Reasoning	129	(64)
Apply ratios in proportional relationships involving unit rates, scale factors, probabilities, or percents	129	(13)
Add integers to solve word problems	142	(9)
Subtract integers to solve word problems	151	(10)
Multiply and divide integers to solve word problems	161	(10)
Model situations with linear equations of the form: aX + b = c, where a, b, and c are integers or decimals and X is an integer	171	(8)
Identify linear and nonlinear functions and contrast their properties using tables, graphs, or equations	179	(14)
Practice Test	189	(4)
Section 3: Geometry, Spatial Reasoning, and Measurement	193	(88)
Sketch side views (orthogonal views) of solids and identify different perspectives of solids that satisfy the side views	193	(10)
Identify or graph reflections (flips), rotations (turns), and translations (slides) on a coordinate plane	203	(11)
Use dilations to generate similar two-dimensional shapes, and compare their side lengths, angles, and perimeters; find missing measurements using proportional relationships	214	(8)
Model and apply the Pythagorean theorem to solve real-life problems	222	(9)
Generate the formulas for the circumference and the area of a circle; apply the formulas to solve word problems	231	(9)
Generate and apply the area formula for a parallelogram (including rectangles); extend to the area of a triangle	240	(9)
Generate and apply the area formula for a trapezoid	249	(9)
Apply nets and concrete models to find total or partial surface areas of prisms and cylinders	258	(8)
Find the volume of a right rectangular prism, or find a missing dimension of the prism; find the new volume when the dimensions of a prism are changed proportionally	266	(15)
Practice Test	275	(6)
Section 4: Graphing, Statistics, and Probability	281
Locate and name points using ordered pairs of rational numbers or integers on a Cartesian coordinate plane	281	(9)
Construct and interpret circle graphs	290	(11)
Compare different numerical or graphical models for the same data, including histograms, circle graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, box plots, and scatter plots; compare two sets of data by comparing their graphs of similar type	301	(11)
Find the mean of a given set of data, using different representations such as tables or bar graphs	312	(9)
Find the probability of a simple event and its complement	321	(6)
Find the probability of a compound event (dependent or independent)	327	(9)
Practice Test	336