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Blaine Middle School Math is based on the Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR's) which encompass the following 5 broad goals.
1. The student understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics in the areas of Number sense, Measurement, Probability & Statistics, Algebraic Sense, and Geometric Sense.
2. The student uses mathematics to define and solve problems.
3. The student uses mathematical reasoning.
4. The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
5. The student understands how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, to their subject areas, and to real life situations.
A complete detailing of the EALR's is available at the OSPI website at
Students are assessed at the beginning and end of 6th grade to determine which of the two college prep courses they will begin. They are assessed again at the beginning and end of their 7th and 8th grade years to determine if their placement needs to be adjusted either into the advanced or regular course. Throughout the school year student progress is monitored by their teacher and if a student in either course needs an adjustment in their placement, the teacher and/or counselor will contact the parent and recommend a change. The teacher, parent(s), student and counselors together will determine if a change in placement is best for the student, and if so determined, a course change may be made.
It is always the intent of Blaine Middle School to place students in a way that will benefit the student most, foster a positive attitude toward math, and lead to success both now and in the future, whether in the regular or advanced courses. The advanced course followed through high school allows students the opportunity for a one quarter advanced placement in college by completing an advanced placement calculus course during their senior year of high school and taking an advanced placement entry test at the beginning of their freshman year of college. On the next page is an example of math course options at Blaine Middle & High Schools, and the first two years of college (grades 13,14).
In order to assist students in achieving these goals the middle school has adopted the Connected Math Project (CMP) curriculum, published by Prentice Hall. This curriculum is the only middle school curriculum rated exemplary by the U.S. Department of Education in 1999. It also attained the highest rating of middle school curriculums in the Project 2061 study done in 1999. These reports are available by request to Dave Vogee at Blaine Middle School. The Project 2061 data is also available on-line at
Data on the use of CMP and student achievement as well as more information about CMP is available at:
The implementation of CMP will be a 3 year process with some teachers beginning full use of CMP the first year and others moving toward a complete CMP curriculum by 2004. Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley (SFAW) Middle School Math will be used in conjunction with CMP by some teachers during this period so you may see both texts coming home. After 2 years the SFAW math will be phased out and CMP will be the primary curriculum at grades 6,7,8.
Below is an illustration of the units of CMP that will be used at each grade level and the corresponding SFAW chapters for that grade level. The asterisks designate the required CMP units which will be used over the next 3 years until full implementation.
The following is a description of the units taught at each grade. It includes the area of study as well as the specific topics covered in the unit.
Prime Time - Factors and Multiples
number theory, including factors, multiples, primes, and composites
Data About Us - Statistics
formulating questions; gathering, organizing, representing, and analyzing data; interpreting results from data
Bits and Pieces I - Understanding Rational Numbers
moving among fractions, decimals, and percents; ordering rational numbers
Bits and Pieces II - Using Rational Numbers
understanding of and skill in addition, subtraction, and multiplication of fractions and decimals; solving percent problems
Covering and Surrounding - Two-Dimensional Measurement
area and perimeter relationships; area and perimeter of polygons and circles
Ruins of Montarek (Optional) - Spatial Visualization
creating and interpreting architectural and isometric representations
(*also may be used for 6th grade advanced)
Shapes and Designs - Two-Dimensional Geometry
properties of polygons, angle measures, side-angle relationships, tiling
How Likely Is It? - Probability
reasoning about uncertainty; experimental and theoretical probabilities; equally-likely and unequally-likely events
Variables and Patterns - Introducing Algebra
variables; representations of relationships, including tables, graphs, words, and symbols
Stretching and Shrinking - Similarity
similar figures; scale factors; basic similarity transformations and their algebraic rules
Comparing and Scaling - Ratio, Proportion, and Percent
rates and ratios; making comparisons, proportional reasoning
Accentuate the Negative - Integers
understanding and modeling integers; integer operations; four-quadrant graphing
Data Around Us (Optional) - Number Sense
quantitative reasoning with large numbers; scientific notation
(*also may be used for 7th grade advanced)
What Do You Expect? - Probability and Expected Value
expected value; probabilities of two-stage events
Moving Straight Ahead - Linear Relationships
recognizing and representing linear relationships in tables, graphs, words, and symbols; solving simple linear equations
Filling and Wrapping - Three-Dimensional Measurement
volume and surface area of various solids; volume and surface area relationships
Thinking with Mathematical Models - Representing Relationships
introduction to functions and modeling; slope; finding the equation of a line
Looking for Pythagoras - Pythagorean Theorem
the Pythagorean Theorem; irrational numbers; connecting coordinates, slope, distance, and area
Samples and Populations - Data and Statistics
using samples to reason about populations and make predictions; comparing samples and sample distributions
Clever Counting (Optional) - Combinatorics
counting techniques, including trees, lists, tables, and diagrams; networks
Growing, Growing, Growing - Exponential Relationships
recognizing and representing exponential growth and decay in tables, graphs, words, and symbols
Kaleidoscopes, Hubcaps, and Mirrors - Symmetry and Transformations
symmetries of designs; symmetry transformations; connecting geometry and algebra
Frogs, Fleas, and Painted Cubes - Quadratic Relationships
recognizing and representing quadratic functions in tables, graphs, words, and symbols
Say It with Symbols - Algebraic Reasoning
equivalent expressions; solving linear and simple quadratic equations
Clever Counting - Combinatorics
counting techniques, including trees, lists, tables, and diagrams; networks
NOTE: Discovering Algebra by Key Curriculum is the high school Algebra Text. Chapters 4-11 of this text may be used to supplement or replace any of the CMP units in the 8th grade advanced math course.
If you have any feedback or questions about our math program or would like more information or research data please contact Blaine Middle School at 360-332-8226 or e-mail us at math@blaine.k12.wa.us.