Great Explorations in
Mathematics (GEM)
BARBARA A. PEREZ
MATHEMATICS
CURRICULUM SUPERVISOR
2014-2015
Regular Mathematics
 Designed for students with average ability in
mathematics.
 Continue the development of mathematical
concepts and processes that can be used to
solve real-world and mathematical problems
in preparation for high school Algebra and
Geometry.
Advanced Mathematics
 Very challenging and designed for students who are
mathematically talented.
 Accelerated by one grade level.
 Opportunity to complete high school Algebra I Honors in
8th grade.
The student successfully completing the Algebra I Honors
course will have one high school mathematics credit when
they enter 9th grade.
GEM Mathematics
 Extremely rigorous
 Accelerated by two grade levels.



6th Grade – Pre-Algebra
7th Grade – Algebra I Honors
8th Grade – Geometry Honors
 Designed for mature, mathematically talented students.
 Assignments are regularly given which may require many
hours beyond the school day to complete.
 Students are continuously monitored and must maintain
GEM critera.
The student successfully completing the Algebra I Honors
course and Geometry Honors course will have two high
school mathematics credits when they enter 9th grade.
STANDARDS
REGULAR
MAFS.6.EE.1.1
MAFS.6.EE.1.2
MAFS.6.EE.1.3
MAFS.6.EE.1.4
MAFS.6.EE.2.5
MAFS.6.EE.2.6
MAFS.6.EE.2.7
MAFS.6.EE.2.8
MAFS.6.EE.3.9
MAFS.6.G.1.1
MAFS.6.G.1.2
MAFS.6.G.1.3
MAFS.6.G.1.4
MAFS.6.NS.1.1
MAFS.6.NS.2.2
MAFS.6.NS.2.3
MAFS.6.NS.2.4
MAFS.6.NS.3.5
MAFS.6.NS.3.6
MAFS.6.NS.3.7
MAFS.6.NS.3.8
MAFS.6.RP.1.1
MAFS.6.RP.1.2
MAFS.6.RP.1.3
MAFS.6.SP.1.1
MAFS.6.SP.1.2
MAFS.6.SP.1.3
MAFS.6.SP.2.4
MAFS.6.SP.2.5
STANDARDS
www.cpalms.org
STANDARDS
REGULAR
MAFS.6.EE.1.1
MAFS.6.EE.1.2
MAFS.6.EE.1.3
MAFS.6.EE.1.4
MAFS.6.EE.2.5
MAFS.6.EE.2.6
MAFS.6.EE.2.7
MAFS.6.EE.2.8
MAFS.6.EE.3.9
MAFS.6.G.1.1
MAFS.6.G.1.2
MAFS.6.G.1.3
MAFS.6.G.1.4
MAFS.6.NS.1.1
MAFS.6.NS.2.2
MAFS.6.NS.2.3
MAFS.6.NS.2.4
MAFS.6.NS.3.5
MAFS.6.NS.3.6
MAFS.6.NS.3.7
MAFS.6.NS.3.8
MAFS.6.RP.1.1
MAFS.6.RP.1.2
MAFS.6.RP.1.3
MAFS.6.SP.1.1
MAFS.6.SP.1.2
MAFS.6.SP.1.3
MAFS.6.SP.2.4
MAFS.6.SP.2.5
ADVANCED
+
MAFS.7.EE.1.1
MAFS.7.EE.1.2
MAFS.7.NS.1.1
MAFS.7.NS.1.2
MAFS.7.NS.1.3
MAFS.7.RP.1.1
MAFS.7.RP.1.2
MAFS.7.RP.1.3
ADVANCED
BENCHMARKS
GEM
7.EE.2.3
7.EE.2.4
7.G.1.1
7.G.1.3
7.G.2.4
7.G.2.5
7.G.2.6
7.SP.1.1
7.SP.1.2
7.SP.2.3
7.SP.2.4
7.SP.3.5
7.SP.3.6
7.SP.3.7
7.SP.3.8
8.EE.1.1
8.EE.1.2
8.EE.1.3
8.EE.1.4
8.EE.2.5
8.EE.2.6
8.EE.3.7
8.EE.3.8
8.F.1.1
8.F.1.2
8.F.1.3
8.F.2.4
8.F.2.5
8.G.1.1
8.G.1.2
8.G.1.3
8.G.1.4
8.G.1.5
6.EE.1.1
6.EE.1.2
6.EE.1.3
6.EE.1.4
6.EE.2.5
6.EE.2.6
6.EE.2.7
6.EE.2.8
6.EE.3.9
6.G.1.1
6.G.1.2
6.G.1.3
6.G.1.4
6.NS.1.1
6.NS.2.2
6.NS.3.8
6.NS.2.3
6.NS.2.4
6.NS.3.5
6.NS.3.6
6.NS.3.7
6.RP.1.1
6.RP.1.2
6.RP.1.3
6.SP.1.1
6.SP.1.2
6.SP.1.3
6.SP.2.4
6.SP.2.5
7.EE.1.1
7.EE.1.2
7.NS.1.1
8.G.2.6
8.G.2.7
8.G.2.8
7.NS.1.2
7.NS.1.3
7.RP.1.1
8.G.3.9
8.NS.1.1
8.NS.1.2
7.RP.1.2
7.RP.1.3
8.SP.1.1
8.SP.1.2
8.SP.1.3
+
8.SP.1.4
Course Pathways
A or B
Math DSS 241
Reading DSS 216
A or B
Pass EOC
M/J PreAlgebra Advanced
M/J PreAlgebra
M/J PreAlgebra
Opportunity to earn 2 High School math credits
Course Pathways
A or B
C, D, or F
Math DSS 241
Reading DSS 216
Course recovery will be needed
M/J PreAlgebra Advanced
M/J PreAlgebra
M/J PreAlgebra
Opportunity to earn 1 High School math credit
Course Pathways
C, D, or F
Math
Math DSS
DSS 241
241
Reading DSS
DSS 216
216
Reading
A or B
M/J PreAlgebra Advanced
M/J PreAlgebra
M/J PreAlgebra
Opportunity to earn 1 High School math credit
Course Pathways
Math DSS 241
Reading DSS 216
A, B, or C
A or B
M/J PreAlgebra Advanced
M/J PreAlgebra
M/J PreAlgebra
ENTRANCE CRITERIA
 GEM-6 –
 241 or higher on the 5th grade math FCAT and
 216 or higher on the the 5th grade reading FCAT
 Recommended –
 Level 5 Math FCAT
 Level 4 or higher Reading FCAT
 65% or higher Pre-Algebra Readiness Assessment
ENTRANCE CRITERIA
 GEM-7 –
 Successful completion of GEM-6 with a grade of B or
higher and
 Average of 75% or higher on semester examinations
ENTRANCE CRITERIA
 GEM-8 –
 Successful completion of GEM-7 with a grade of B or
higher and
 Average of 75% or higher on district semester
examinations and
 Passing score on the Algebra I FSA End-of-Course Exam
 8th Grade Algebra I Honors –
 Successful completion of MJ2 Advanced with a grade of B
or higher and
 Level 4 or higher on the Math FCAT/FSA
EXIT CRITERIA
 Any student who earns a C should be placed on
probation. If the student receives a D or an F in the
quarter after being placed on academic probation, they
should be exited from the program.
 At the end of the school year, any student who does not
have a course average of B or above and an average of
75% or higher on semester examinations should be exited
from the program.
 Any student who does not pass the State End-of Course
Algebra I Exam should be exited from the program.
Year
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
Number
% Decrease
Course
of
from Previous
Students
Year
GEM
6
GEM
7
GEM
8
Alg 2
H
% Decrease
from GEM 6
2593
1746
32.66%
32.66%
1482
15.12%
42.85%
1175
20.72%
54.69%
GRADING CATEGORIES
GEM-6
1st and 3rd Quarters
Tests
Quizzes
Homework/Classwork
50%
25%
25%
2nd and 4th Quarters
Tests
Quizzes
Homework/Classwork
Midterm/Final
35%
20%
20%
25%
GRADING CATEGORIES
GEM-7, GEM-8, Algebra I Honors
All quarters
Tests
55%
Quizzes
25%
Homework/Classwork
20%
COURSE GRADE
GEM-7, GEM-8, Algebra I Honors
All quarters
15% each (60%)
Midterm
10%
EOC
30%
ASSESSMENTS
 GEM-6
 Chapter Tests
 Quarterly Exams (optional)
 Midterm
 Final
 6th Grade BAFs
 6th Grade FSA
ASSESSMENTS
 GEM-7, 8th Grade Algebra I Honors, GEM-8
 Chapter Tests
 Midterm
 Final
 Algebra or Geometry BAF
 State Algebra I or Geometry End-of-Course Exam – score
will count for 30% of course grade
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
(Students Entering HS in 2014-2015)
Graduation Requirements
(Students Entering HS in 2013-2014)
English
4 Credits
Pass Grade 10 ELA statewide standardized assessment
Pass Algebra I EOC
Math
4 Credits
• 1 Credit Algebra (EOC = 30% of final course grade)
• 1 Credit Geometry (EOC = 30% of final course grade)
• 2 Credits Additional Math (If Algebra 2 is taken, EOC =
30% of final course grade
Science
1 Credit Biology (EOC = 30% of final course grade)
2 Credits additional Science identified as Equally Rigorous
Social Studies
1 Credit World History
1 Credit US History (EOC = 30% of final course grade)
0.5 Credits US Gov’t
0.5 Credits Economics
World
Languages
Not required for graduation. Minimum 2 years of the same language
required for admission into most universities and some Bright Futures
Scholarships
Graduation Requirements
(Students Entering HS in 2014-2015)
Graduation Requirements
(Students Entering HS in 2013-2014)
Fine and Performing Arts,
Speech and Debate or
Practical Arts
1 credit in fine and performing arts, speech and debate or
practical arts
Physical Education
1 Credit to include integration of health
Electives
8 Credits
Grade Point Average
Cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
Online Course
Requires a full course to be completed
Service Hours
40 hours required
Scholar Designation
(Students Entering HS in 2014-2015)
In addition to meeting the standard HS diploma requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pass ELA Grade 11 Common Core Assessment
Pass Geometry EOC
1 credit Algebra 2 (must pass Algebra 2 EOC)
1 credit statistics or equally rigorous math course
Pass Biology EOC or earn minimum score to earn college credit on AP,
IB, AICE, or a dual enrollment course
1 credit in Chemistry or Physics
1 credit in a course equally rigorous to Chemistry or Physics
Pass US History EOC or earn minimum score to earn college credit on
AP, IB, AICE, or a dual enrollment course
2 credits in the same World Language
Earn at least 1 credit in AP, IB, AICE, or dual enrollment.
Information about High School
Grade Point Averages
So Many GPAs!
 Unweighted
 Weighted
 Academic Core
 Bright Futures
The Unweighted GPA
 Includes EVERY high school course taken, except
courses that have been “forgiven.”
 Does not use +’s in the calculation.
 Does not award extra points for harder classes.
 Formula:
 A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1.
 Add points and divide by number of attempts.
The Academic Core GPA
 Includes all High School Level Core Courses
 English
-Mathematics
 Social Studies
-Science
 World Languages
 Does not include +’s in calculation.
 Awards .5 bonus points for any Honors, Advanced
Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB),
Advanced International Certificate of Education
(AICE) or Dual Enrollment (DE) course (.25 if course
is .5 credits).
The Weighted GPA
 Includes all courses taken in grades 9-12, except those
that have been “forgiven.”
 Bonus points are awarded for more rigorous courses:
 Honors Courses: 1 point per full credit
 AP, DE, IB, AICE Courses: 2 points per full credit
 The Weighted GPA is used for determining Class Rank.
The Bright Futures’ GPA
 The State of Florida calculates Bright Futures GPAs each
semester.
 There are two separate Bright Futures GPAs


Florida Academic and Florida Medallion Scholars
Gold Seal Vocational Scholars
 Does not consider +’s.
 FAS/FMS: Calculated on 15 specific core courses plus an
additional 3 academic electives if they will help student. This
is a weighted GPA that awards .5 points for any Honors, AP,
IB, AICE or DE courses (per full credit).
 Gold Seal: Calculated on 16 specific courses plus a 3 credit
vocational program. This is a weighted GPA that awards .5
points points for any Honors, AP, IB, AICE or DE courses (per
full credit).
INFORMATION
Barbara Perez
Mathematics Curriculum Supervisor
Department of Mathematics, Science,
and Gifted
Barbara.perez@browardschools.com
 754-321-2119