Mathematics

In accordance with the Bethel Park School District mission statement and in conjunction with the current Pennsylvania Content Standards and Grade Level Benchmarks, the Bethel Park Mathematics Department has developed the following mission:

·         To provide every student with the opportunity to be mathematically literate.
·         To function in a technological world.
·         To provide the foundation for further study of mathematics.

Description:

The K-12 mathematics curriculum builds upon the mastery of essential mathematical concepts, critical thinking and problem solving skills at the elementary level to the development of the abstract and creative thinking ability of each student, as aligned with national and state standards. At the secondary level, the curriculum combines a comprehensive and rigorous core with a variety of honors and Advanced Placement courses.  Students are also provided opportunities to earn college credits in both mathematics and computer programming through the University of Pittsburgh.

Eric Chalus
K-4 Mathematics Curriculum Facilitator
412-854-8506

Susan Shannon
5-8 Mathematics Curriculum Facilitator
412-854-8678

Mary Ann Pfeuffer
9-12 Mathematics Curriculum Facilitator
412-854-8571

Elementary Mathematics

The elementary math program is aligned to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and those provided by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Emphasis is placed on the mastery of basic facts, computation skills and problem solving strategies in relation to five mathematical strands; Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Algebraic Concepts, and Data Analysis and Probability. Students engage in a variety of hands-on, individual, and collaborative activities in order to develop a solid foundation for further mathematics education and use in everyday life. Extensive support and enrichment opportunities are provided to complement the learning styles and academic needs of all learners. 

Middle School Mathematics:

The middle school mathematics program continues to build upon the basic foundation of math presented at the elementary level while introducing higher-level skills and concepts. The fifth grade math course is required for all students. Beginning in grade six, students have several course options intended to prepare them for future academic pursuits. 

Math 5:

This course follows a standards-based curriculum designed for students in the fifth grade. The course emphasizes instruction in the areas of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions. Students will also develop an understanding of geometry, measurement, graphing and probability. Students will apply mathematics to problem-solving situations. Math concepts are taught using a variety of methods and materials.

Middle School Math, Course 1
Grade 6

The focus of this course is numbers, their operations, and their algebraic representations. Topics such as measurement conversions, areas, averages, data displays and number sense are covered. This course is designed to prepare students for Course 2.

Middle School Math, Course 2
Grade 6-7

This course deals extensively with problem solving and real-world mathematics. Topics involving displaying and making sense of data, number sense and computation with numbers in various forms, proportional thinking, probability, and various aspects of algebra and geometry are covered. At levels 2 and 3, this full year course is designed to build the mathematics skills and foundation needed in preparation for Algebra. At level 1, this full year course allows for more review and practice by narrowing the content covered. Topics that are not addressed with be covered in Course 3.

Middle School Math, Course 3
Grade 8

The beginning units of this course focus on rational numbers and their operations, equations, and inequalities. Students will be required to apply these skills in problem-solving and real-life applications. Real number properties and geometric formulas are introduced in the earlier units and are expanded on throughout the course. Later units include such topics as probability, properties of right triangles, and linear equations and their graphs.

Algebra I
Grade 8

This full year course is focused on functions with special emphasis on linear and quadratic functions. Students learn to represent functions in multiple ways, as verbal descriptions, equations, tables, and graphs. Students will model real-world situations using functions to solve problems. Probability and data analysis are also included topics in this course.

Geometry
Grade 8

This full year course is focused on developing students’ reasoning and problem solving skills with focus on congruence and similarity, properties of lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles, and measurements of two and three dimensional figures. Topics involving algebra, probability and data analysis are blended into the geometry content.

High School Mathematics:

Bethel Park School District currently requires a minimum of three (3) credits in the Mathematics for graduation. Graduates in 2011 and beyond will need to fulfill a minimum of four (4) credits through the Mathematics Department. The program includes a core of required classes, along with a variety of elective, honors and Advanced Placement courses to address the academic needs and personal interests of all students. 

Students who do not meet grade-level expectations in the area of mathematics will be required to enroll in the PSSA course. This will be determined by teacher or parent recommendations and scores that do not meet proficiency on the 4Sight or PSSA assessments. Parents are advised that the School Board’s math requirement may necessitate amending a student’s program of studies. Changing a student’s schedule may require a loss of a study hall or another elective course.

Course Offerings:

Pre-Algebra
Grade 9
Level 1
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: None

Pre-Algebra creates a bridge from arithmetic to mathematics and prepares the student for success in algebra and geometry. It is the first course in the sequence of higher math courses at the high school. It is designed for students who have experienced difficulty in mathematics. Students will progress to Algebra 201 from here.

There are two Algebra I programs:

Algebra I - 201
Grade 10
Level 1
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra 200

This is a full year course which teaches and reinforces those concepts and skills found in Algebra I. It is designed for students who have taken pre-algebra or who need to improve their math skills. Students will progress to Geometry 205 from here.

Algebra I – 202
Grade 9
Level 2
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Mathematics 8 – Teacher recommendation and successful completion of Pre-Algebra with a C or better.

This course is required for students who plan to take Geometry. It is designed to broaden and strengthen the topics developed in arithmetic and to provide a transition to Algebraic symbolism and concepts. Application, through problem solving, is emphasized throughout the course.

There are three Geometry programs:

Geometry - 205
Grade 11
Level 1
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra I (201) with a C or better.

This is a full year course which teaches and reinforces those concepts and skills found in Geometry. It is designed for students who have taken Algebra I (201) course.

Geometry - 206
Grade 9-12
Level 2
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra I (202) with a C or better.

This course is strongly recommended for college-bound students and is an entrance requirement for many universities. The content consists of written expressions of logical reasoning with definitions, theorems, and postulates which deal with the basic geometric figures such as lines, triangles, other polygons, and circles.

Geometry (Honors) - 207
Grade 9
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra I with either an A or high B and teacher recommendation.

This course was developed for ninth grade students that have either moved into the district or have come from a private school and did not have the opportunity to take it in eighth grade. This is a fast-paced class that consists of written expressions of logical reasoning with definitions, theorems, and postulates dealing with basic geometric figures. 

There are three Algebra II programs:

Algebra II - 210
Grade 12
Level 1
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Geometry 205

This is a full year course which teaches and reinforces the concepts and skills found in Algebra II. It is designed for students who have taken the Geometry (205) course and passed with a C or higher.

Algebra II - 211
Grade 9-11
Level 2
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Geometry (206) with a C or better.

This course is required for students who plan to take Trigonometry. It is recommended for college-bound students and is required by some universities. It involves a more detailed exploration of Algebra I topics and advanced Algebraic concepts to provide the techniques needed in more complex problem solving.

Algebra II (Honors) - 212
Grade 9-10
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Honors Geometry (207) with a B grade or higher.

This course is part of an integrated math series. It is a fast-paced class that integrates geometry, discrete mathematics and statistics together with algebra. Familiar ideas such as properties of numbers, graphs, expressions, equations and inequalities appear throughout the program. Many new topics such as matrices, logarithms, trigonometry and conic sections, pure and applied mathematics are also integrated throughout the course. Automatic graphers are used as a pattern finding, concept developing and problem solving tool. This is for students that plan to take Honors Trigonometry. 

Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry
Grade 10-12
Level 2-3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra II (211 or 212) with a C or better.

This course is for students who plan to pursue a mathematics or science-related curriculum in college. It consists of the study of circular functions, trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, applications to triangles, logarithms, exponential functions, Cartesian coordinates, distance formula, slope and equation of a line, properties of the conic sections, locus, and polar coordinates. 

Trigonometry (Honors)
Grade 10-12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra II Honors with teacher recommendation.

Students study descriptive and inferential statistics, combinatorics, probability, and do further work with polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Enough trigonometry is available to constitute a standard precalculus background in trigonometry and circular functions. Algebraic concepts are integrated throughout, and modeling of real phenomena is emphasized. Students use a function grapher and BASIC programs to study functions, explore relationships between equations and their graphs, and generate and analyze data.

Precalculus
Grade 11-12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Trigonometry (220) or Trigonometry Honors (222)

Precalculus topics include a review of the elementary functions, advanced properties of functions (including special attention to polynomial and rational functions), polar coordinates, logarithms, exponents, trigonometry, analytical geometry, complex numbers, and introductions to the derivative and integral. Analytical thinking with practical problem situations is a unifying theme. 

Calculus (Honors)
Grade 12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
University of Pittsburgh Credit
Prerequisite: Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry or Honors Trigonometry

This is a full year course which follows the same syllabus as the one-semester course offered at the University of Pittsburgh. The course is geared to students who would be required to take a calculus course fur business, economics, or social science. Students have the option of registering with the University of Pittsburgh for four (4) college credits. The registration fee is required for this course. Students must pass three tests from the university including a final exam.

AP Calculus AB
Grade 11-12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Precalculus or Honors Trigonometry with teacher recommendation

This is a full year course designed to prepare students for advanced placement in college. Due to the advanced level of topics involved, only students who have successfully completed Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry or beyond should take this course. Students will be prepared to take the AB level Advanced Placement Calculus test in the spring. Course content, coverage, and emphasis will be placed on an outline provided by the advanced placement testing service regardless of the text used for the course.

AP Calculus BC
Grade 12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: AP Calculus with teacher recommendation

This course includes a differential and integral calculus with applications of previous math courses. The intent is preparation for colleges and/or one or more semesters of advanced placement calculus. Students will be prepared to take the BC level Advanced Placement Calculus test in the spring. Course content, coverage, and emphasis will be based on an outline provided by the advanced placement testing services regardless of the text used for the course.

Advanced Placement Computer Programming in JAVA
Grade 11-12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Semester
Prerequisite: Completed Computer Programming in Visual Basic Part B or Computer Science teacher approval or Advanced math teacher approval or intro to C.S.

This course emphasizes fundamental areas of the programming language. Topics include JAVA applications, applets, control structures, methods, arrays, object orientation programming concepts, object based programming, strings and characters. Programming assignments are used to develop student awareness of the needs for algorithms and data structures. A case study will be followed throughout the course to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in the spring.

PSSA Prep
Grade 9-12
Level 1-2
Full Year Course – 1 Credit / ½ Year Course - .5 Credit
Prerequisite: None

This course is only for 9-12 grade students that have been identified as at risk of not scoring proficient on the PSSA test. This class will allow AYP goals and NCLB to be met. It will involve teaching of the math skills necessary for the student to become proficient in the state anchors and standards.

Statistics
Grade 11-12
Level 2
Semester Course – ½ Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra II (211) with a B or higher

This is a half-year course designed to introduce students to the methods of descriptive statistics. Topics include data collection and description as well as scatter plots, regression and sampling.

Statistics (Honors)
Grade 11-12
Level 3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
University of Pittsburgh Credit
Prerequisite: Honors Algebra II

This is a full year course which follows the same syllabus as the one semester course offered at the University of Pittsburgh. Students have the option of registering with the University of Pittsburgh for four (4) college credits and will then be required to pay a fee. The course will teach methods of descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include data collection and description, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, and the analysis of variance and contingency tables. Students must pass three 3 tests from the university including a final exam.

Introduction to Computer Programming
Grade 9-12
Level 2
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
University of Pittsburgh Credit
Prerequisite: Algebra II or Visual Basic

This course emphasizes programming structures and algorithms, and explores object-oriented programming. Several programming languages and software programs will be implemented including Alice, C++, and Java. Topics include algorithms, operators, decision structure, repetition structure, arrays, and class design. This course is designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement Computer Programming. 

Computer Programming Credits in VISUAL BASIC.NET
Grade 10-12
Level 2-3
Full Year Course – 1 Credit
University of Pittsburgh Credit.
Prerequisite:   None

This is a math elective that serves as an excellent introduction to computer programming. The VISUAL BASIC.NET programming language and is used and this course emphasizes programming methodology, algorithms and data structures. Applications are used to develop student awareness of the need for algorithms and data structures and to provide topics for computer programming assignments. The VISUAL BASIC.NET language will follow the course content and requirement for the University of Pittsburgh’s Computer Science 004. Students have the option of registering for 3 college credits through the College in High School program.