Math & Algebra Syllabus
8th Grade
Instructors
Mr. Carsillo
Mrs. O’Donnell
Mr. Visconti
hcarsillo@woodlynne.k12.nj.us
modonnell@woodlynne.k12.nj.us
kvisconti@woodlynne.k12.nj.us
Textbook
Prentice Hall Course 3 Mathematics Common Core, 2013 Edition
Course Goals
This course is designed to enhance student’s knowledge of mathematics in the following
areas: the number system, expressions & equations, geometry, ratios & proportional
relationships and statistics & probability. These skills are applied to situations and
scenarios found in the world around us. Students engage in daily lessons, assignments
and activities designed to strengthen problem solving skills. Students will communicate
their understanding of mathematical concepts in a variety of ways through both speaking
and writing.
Objectives
There are three critical areas of focus in 8th grade.
1.) Analyze two and three dimensional space and figures using distance, angle,
similarity and congruence and understanding and applying the Pythagorean
Theorem.
2.) Grasp the concept of a function and use functions to describe quantitative
relationships.
3.) Formulate and reason about expressions and equations, modeling bivariate data
with a linear equation and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations.
First Semester – Math
Geometry
Essential Questions
Unit 1
4 weeks
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How can algebraic concepts be applied to geometry?
How can the position of a figure change?
How can you use coordinates to describe transformations?
How can you determine congruence and similarity?
Textbook
Chapter 8 – ALL
Chapter 7 – ALL
1
The Number System
Unit 2
4 weeks
Essential Questions
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How can the value and size of numbers be compared?
How do the different forms of a number relate to each other?
How is scientific notation used in the real-world?
Textbook
Chapter 1 – Lessons 1, 2, 3
Chapter 6 – ALL
Functions
Essential Questions
Unit 3
4 weeks
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How can you represent real-world situations as functional
relationships?
When is one representation of a function more useful than another?
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How can you model relationships between two quantities?
How can you use data to make predictions?
Equations
Essential Questions
Unit 4
4 weeks
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How are proportional relationships represented?
How can you determine the number of solutions an equation has?
How do the components of a graph relate to their real-world context?
How are two linear equations compared?
Textbook
Chapter 3 – Lessons 2, 4, 5
Chapter 10 – ALL
Textbook
Chapter 2 – ALL
Chapter 3 – Lessons 1, 3
Chapter 4 – ALL
Chapter 5 – ALL
Geometry
Essential Questions
Unit 5
4 weeks
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How can algebraic concepts be applied to geometry?
How are formulas helpful in math?
How is the Pythagorean Theorem used to solve problems?
How do the volumes of cylinders and cones relate?
Textbook
Chapter 1 – Lessons 4, 5, 6, 7
Chapter 9 – ALL
Second Semester – Algebra
Relationships Between Quantities
Unit 1
4 weeks
Essential Questions
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How does algebra relate to the real world?
How can mathematical ideas be presented?
Why is it helpful to write the same mathematical idea in different
ways?
Textbook
Chapters 1 & 2
Linear Relationships
Essential Questions
Unit 2
4 weeks
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Why are graphs useful?
Why is math used to model real-world situations?
How are symbols useful in mathematics?
How can you find the solution to a math problem?
Textbook
Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 6
2
Exponential and Quadratic Relationships
Essential Questions
Unit 3
4 weeks
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How can you make good decisions?
What factors can affect good decision making?
When could a nonlinear function model a real-world situation?
Why do we use different methods to solve math problems?
Textbook
Chapters 7, 8 & 9
Advanced Functions and Equations
Unit 4
4 weeks
Unit 5
4 weeks
Essential Questions
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How can you choose a model to represent a real-world situation?
How can simplifying mathematical expressions be useful?
Data Analysis
Essential Questions

How are statistics and probability used in the real world?
Textbook
Chapters 10 & 11
Textbook
Chapter 12
3