MVMS sixth graders are currently enrolled in Math 6.

The traditional pathway for Math 6 students is to progress to Math 7 in seventh grade.  Students who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of Math 6 and are capable of a greater challenge will be considered for Math 7/8 in seventh grade. Next year's math placement will be determined based on student performance in the following areas:

• Chapter test and quiz scores (before corrections)
• MVMS Math Placement Test given in the third trimester
• Standardized Test Scores (including iReady and CAASPP when available)

Current math teachers also take into account their ten-month-long experience teaching seventh graders. Teachers know students’ habits, attitudes, approaches, and abilities. Independence, attention to detail, self-motivation, resilience, and responsibility are essential traits for students who take Math 7/8 in seventh grade.

Math 7/8 is a compressed course that covers 2 years of math in a single year. Students in this course learn all of Math 7 and a large portion of Math 8. This additional content requires Math 7/8 to move at a rapid pace; it also requires that students spend time studying outside of class (homework).

This year, we will likely inform families of next year's placement the first week in June. A family can file an appeal of the placement within a week of notification. A description of the appeals process is included in the placement notification.

MVMS seventh graders are currently in one of two math classes: Math 7 or Math 7/8.

Eighth graders will be in one of two classes: Math 8 or Algebra.

The traditional pathway for Math 7 students is to progress to Math 8 in 8th grade.  Students who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of Math 7 and are capable of a greater challenge will be considered for Algebra in 8th grade. Next year's math placement will be determined based on student performance in the following areas:

• Chapter test and quiz scores (before corrections)
• MVMS Math Placement Test given in the third trimester
• Standardized Test Scores (including iReady and CAASPP when available)
• Optional (strongly recommended): Participation in the "Math 8 Topics for Algebra Prep" Google Classroom. (This is only for those interested in being considered for placement into Algebra next year.  Those not interested in taking Algebra next year DO NOT NEED to enroll in this Google Classroom.)

Current math teachers also take into account their ten-month-long experience teaching seventh graders. Teachers know students’ habits, attitudes, approaches, and abilities. Independence, attention to detail, self-motivation, resilience, and responsibility are essential traits for students who take Algebra in eighth grade.

The "Math 8 Topics for Algebra Prep" Google Classroom contains topics that are covered in Math 7/8 that you would otherwise miss if you progressed directly from Math 7 to Algebra. Those wishing to prepare for Algebra should enroll in the "Math 8 Topics for Algebra Prep" Classroom, complete and submit work on the posted skills.  Interested students should plan to complete 2/3 of the assignments before the end of the school year.  It is important that you work at a pace that allows you to learn without over-stressing yourself. The class code for this Google Classroom is: ofkmhks.

MVMS Algebra covers all of high school Algebra and the topics of eighth-grade math that were not taught in Math 7/8. This additional content requires MVMS Algebra to move at a rapid pace.

This year, we will likely inform families of next year's placement the first week in June. A family can file an appeal of the placement within a week of notification. A description of the appeals process is included in the placement notification.

Appropriate math placement is one of the most critical tasks for the Math Department. The department takes very careful consideration when placing students. Short and long-term student comprehension, confidence, and academic success are fundamental to our placement philosophy. We want our students to not only pass their math classes, but to excel in all ways while they enjoy mathematics to the greatest extent possible. Moving at a suitable pace is crucial to ensuring their longitudinal success.

Changes in placement for students who did not meet the criteria for Math 7/8 or Algebra are unlikely. However, the Mill Valley School District does have a placement appeal process:

(1)  Parents fill out the Math Placement Appeal Form and submit it to the MVMS office or by email to the designated administrator by date TBD no later than 4:00 p.m. 

(2)  A committee comprised of math teachers from all grade levels, counselors, and administrators carefully review the request and make a decision.

(3)  Parents receive a written response informing them of the appeal committee’s final decision.

Students wishing to qualify for Algebra in eighth grade must demonstrate mastery of all Math 7 concepts as well as the following Math 8 concepts by the end of seventh grade. These topics are covered in Math 7/8.

The Number System

8.NS.A.1 Know that numbers that are not rational are called irrational. Understand informally that every number has a decimal expansion; for rational numbers show that the decimal expansion repeats eventually, and convert a decimal expansion which repeats eventually into a rational number.

8.NS.A.2 Use rational approximations of irrational numbers to compare the size of irrational numbers, locate them approximately on a number line diagram, and estimate the value of expressions (e.g., π²).For example, by truncating the decimal expansion of √2, show that √2 is between 1 and 2, then between 1.4 and1.5, and explain how to continue on to get better approximations.

Expressions & Equations: Work with radicals and integer exponents

8.EE.A.1 Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions. For example, 3² × 3^–5 = 3^–3= 1/3³ = 1/27.

8.EE.A.2 Use square root and cube root symbols to represent solutions to equations of the form x² = pand x³ = p, where p is a positive rational number. Evaluate square roots of small perfect squares and cube roots of small perfect cubes.

8.EE.A.3 Use numbers expressed in the form of a single digit times an integer power of 10 to estimate very large or very small quantities, and to express how many times as much one is than the other. For example, estimate the population of the United States as 3 times 10⁸ and the population of the world as 7 times 10⁹, and determine that the world population is more than 20 times larger.

8.EE.A.4 Perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both decimal and scientific notation are used. Use scientific notation and choose units of appropriate size for measurements of very large or very small quantities (e.g., use millimeters per year for sea floor spreading).  Interpret scientific notation that has been generated by technology.

Expressions & Equations: Understand the connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations

8.EE.B.5 Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways. For example, compare a distance-time graph to a distance-time equation to determine which of two moving objects has greater speed.

8.EE.B.6 Use similar triangles to explain why the slope m is the same between any two distinct points on a non-vertical line in the coordinate plane; derive the equation y = mx for a line through the origin and the equation y = mx b for a line intercepting the vertical axis at b.

8.EE.C.7 Solve linear equations in one variable.

• CCSS Math Content 8.EE.C.7a Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms, until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers).

• CCSS Math Content 8.EE.C.7b Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions using the distributive property and collecting like terms.

Geometry: Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.

8.G.A.1 Verify experimentally the properties of rotations, reflections, and translations:

• CCSS Math Content 8.G.A.1a Lines are taken to lines, and line segments to line segments of the same length.

• CCSS Math Content 8.G.A.1b Angles are taken to angles of the same measure.

• CCSS Math Content 8.G.A.1c Parallel lines are taken to parallel lines.

8.G.A.2 Understand that a two-dimensional figure is congruent to another if the second can be obtained from the first by a sequence of rotations, reflections, and translations; given two congruent figures,  describe a sequence that exhibits the congruence between them.

8.G.A.3 Describe the effect of dilations, translations, rotations, and reflections on two-dimensional figures using coordinates.

8.G.A.4 Understand that a two-dimensional figure is similar to another if the second can be obtained from the first by a sequence of rotations, reflections,translations, and dilations; given two similar two-dimensional figures,describe a sequence that exhibits the similarity between them.

8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about the angle sum and exterior angle of triangles, about the angles created when parallel lines are cut by a transversal, and the angle-angle criterion for similarity of triangles. For example, arrange three copies of the same triangle so that the sum of the three angles appears to form a line, and give an argument in terms of transversals why this is so.

Geometry: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres.

8.G.C.9 Know the formulas for the volumes of cones, cylinders, and spheres and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

The websites below provide example problems for many content standards. 

Illustrative Mathematics 

CPM Core Connections, Course 3 Parent Guide with Extra Practice

Khan Academy