Math 7/8:
This course challenges gifted students by utilizing content from the 8th grade curriculum. While coherence is retained, in that it logically builds from the 6th Grade, the additional content when compared to the 7th Grade course demands a faster pace for instruction and learning. Content is organized into four critical areas, or units. The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout each course and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. Math 7/8 is taught by Mrs. Taloumis who can be reached at rtaloumis@psdschools.org.
Algebra 1:
The fundamental purpose of this course is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learn in the middle grades. Because it is building on the middle grades standards, this is a more ambitious version of Algebra 1. The critical areas, called units, deepen and extend understanding of linear and exponential relationships by contrasting them with each other and by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. Students also engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and using quadratic functions. The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout each course and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. This is a high school credited course. G&T Algebra I is taught by Mrs. Taloumis who can be reached at: rtaloumis@psdschools.org or jgessama@psdschools.org
Geometry:
This course offers gifted learners the opportunity to earn high school credit. Proceeding Algebra, it meets every other day, demanding an accelerated pace for learning and instruction. Content is organized in 12 chapters. In this course, we will apply the mathematical practices and Common Core standards. This course encourages students to think and make conjectures while they persevere through challenging problems and exercises. Students will be required to explain their thinking and their analysis of diverse problems. In order to succeed, students will need to be actively involved in learning in order to develop mathematical reasoning and to work through other everyday challenges. This is a high school credited course. Geometry is taught by Mrs. Bolt who can be reached at: kbolt@psdschools.org
Science 8 Honors (Algebra-based Science):
An advanced science course offered to those eighth graders who have completed or are currently enrolled in Algebra I. Honors Science challenges the GT learner by exploring advanced units in math and engineering with components of physics introduced. Learners will also engage public speaking skills through a unit on weather/climate and practice independent learning and project-based learning through ongoing experimental design. Honors Science 8 is taught by Mrs. Easterlund who can be reached at: eeasterl@psdschools.org