Middle School Concepts: Seventh Grade Math

Middle school students often do not understand the importance of their math classes and fail to pay full attention to all of the details. As a parent, it is your responsibility to remind your middle schooler of the importance of all their classes, especially mathematics. Parents should make sure their child is ready for eighth grade math by familiarizing themselves with the skills required for succeeding in eighth grade mathematics.

Basic Math Skills for Seventh Graders

Arithmetic skills should long be established by the time a student enters the seventh grade. Seventh graders are expected to learn more complicated math, such as the ability to determine factors and square roots for numbers. Students should be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and decimals quickly and easily. A student in the seventh grade is expected to master the conversion between fractions, decimals, and percents before they are promoted to the eighth grade.

Mathematics involving measurements also becomes more complicated during the seventh grade. By the end of the school year students should be able to measure and solve a variety of measurement problems at school and home. These may include calculating areas for shapes, such as trapezoids and triangles, or the volumes for prisms. It is important for seventh graders to master these skills because they are frequently used in high school geometry problems.

Geometry and Algebra for Seventh Graders

Probability, geometry, and basic algebra problems will be presented to students in seventh grade math. Probability experiments, graph, and analyses that were previously introduced in the sixth and earlier grades will be used as a basis for this continuing education. Seventh graders will also be expected to master the concepts of median, mode and mean.

If your child is in a seventh grade math class, they should be able to sketch a variety of shapes when given the dimensions, identify shapes that have been rotated and translated, and determine if shapes will tessellate.

Seventh grade students who expect to take algebra in the eighth grade will be taught how to write equations and expressions, as well as substituting numbers for variables when solving these equations. Other expected algebraic comprehension includes solving and simplifying equations with four operations, and evaluating simple linear expressions.

Monitoring Your Seventh Grade Math Student

When monitoring your seventh grader's mathematical progression keep in mind that every state has slightly different standards. It is best for parents to ask their child's math teacher or school district about the current mathematical standards for each grade level. They should be able to provide you with a comprehensive list of all of the math skills a seventh grader is expected to master by the end of the school year.

If you are worried your child may be struggling in math class, look for declining self confidence, poor attitude and behavior, not living up to their potential, and voiced concern from school teachers. If your child exhibits any of these characteristics, it is important to discuss their math comprehension. Explain the importance of their math class and offer to help them with their work or invest in a tutor.