Each list of objectives reflects the required Howard County Public Schools Essential Curriculum for Pre-Algebra on which students will be assessed each quarter and on the MSA in March.
- Quarter 1 Learning Objectives
- Quarter 2 Learning Objectives
- Quarter 3 Learning Objectives
- Quarter 4 Learning Objectives
- Back-mapped Objectives 8th Grade to 7th Grade
Quarter 1 Learning Objectives
1. Compare, order, and describe rational numbers with and without relational
symbols
2. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers
3. Evaluate numeric expressions using the order of operations
4. Evaluate an algebraic expression
5. Write an algebraic expression to represent unknown quantities
6. Describe a real-world situation represented by an algebraic expression
7. Identify and use the laws of exponents to simplify expressions
8. Read, write, and represent rational numbers using exponential or scientific
notation
9. Use properties of addition and multiplication to simplify expressions
10. Simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms
11. Write equations to represent relationships
12. Solve for the unknown in a linear equation
13. Identify equivalent equations
14. Apply given formulas to a problem-solving situation
15. Calculate powers of integers and square roots of perfect square whole numbers
16. Estimate the square roots of whole numbers
Quarter 2 Learning Objectives
1. Write equations or inequalities to represent relationships
2. Solve for the unknown in an inequality
3. Identify or graph solutions of inequalities on a number line
4. Determine the recursive relationship of arithmetic sequences represented in
words, in a table, or in a graph
5. Determine the recursive relationship of geometric sequences represented in
words, in a table, or in a graph
6. Graph linear equations in a coordinate plane
7. Determine the slope of a graph in a linear relationship
8. Determine the slope of a linear relationship represented numerically or
algebraically
9. Determine whether relationships are linear or nonlinear when represented in
words, in a table, symbolically, or in a graph
10. Determine whether relationships are linear or nonlinear when represented
symbolically
11. Determine unit rates
12. Solve problems using proportional reasoning
13. Use proportional reasoning to solve measurement problems
14. Determine or use percents, rates of increase and decrease, discount,
commission, sales tax, and simple interest in the context of a problem
Quarter 3 Learning Objectives
1. Identify and describe geometric relationships between angles formed when
parallel lines are cut by a transversal
2. Determine the measurements of angles formed by parallel lines cut by a
transversal
3. Identify, describe, and plot the results of multiple transformations on a
coordinate plane
4. Draw quadrilaterals
5. Construct perpendicular line segments
6. Construct triangles
7. Determine similar parts of polygons
8. Identify and describe the relationship among the parts of a right triangle
9. Apply right angle concepts to solve real-world problems
10. Determine whether three given side lengths form a right angle
11. Estimate and determine the circumference or area of a circle
12. Estimate and determine area of a composite figure
13. Estimate and determine the volume of a cylinder
14. Determine the volume of cones, pyramids, and spheres
15. Determine the surface area of cylinders, prisms, and pyramids
16. Organize and display data to make a box-and-whisker plot and multiple
box-and-whisker plots using the same scale
17. Analyze multiple box-and-whisker plots using the same scale
18. Organize and display data to make a histogram
19. Interpret a histogram
20. Organize and display data to make a scatter plot
21. Interpret line of best fit for a scatter plot
Quarter 4 Learning Objectives
1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers
2. Evaluate numeric expressions using the order of operations with rational
numbers
3. Evaluate algebraic expressions with rational numbers
4. Translate verbal sentences into equations and equations into verbal sentences.
5. Write equations and inequalities that describe real-world problems
6. Solve equations involving rational numbers with more than one operation
7. Solve equations involving rational numbers with the variable on each side
8. Solve equations for given variables and use formulas to solve real-world
problems
9. Solve inequalities involving rational numbers with more than one operation
10. Determine the slope of a line given two points
11. Analyze slope as a rate of change in the context of a real-world situation
12. Write and graph linear equations in slope-intercept form
Back-mapped Objectives 8th Grade to 7th Grade
The following Grade 8 objectives are included in the Grade 7 curriculum. The
objectives are taught in the 7th grade, but will still be assessed on the 8th
grade MSA.
Statistics:
1. Interpret tables
2. Organize and display data to make circle graphs
3. Interpret circle graphs
4. Organize and display data to make box-and-whisker plots
5. Interpret box-and-whisker plots
6. Analyze multiple box-and-whisker plots using the same scale
7. Organize and display data to make a scatter plot
8. Interpret scatter plots
Probability:
1. Determine the number of outcomes
2. Express the probability of an event comprised of no more than two
independent events as a fraction, a decimal, or a percent
3. Express the probability of a second event that is dependent on a first
event of equally likely outcomes as a fraction, a decimal, or a percent
4. Describe the difference between independent and dependent events
5. Make predictions and express the probability of the results as a fraction,
a decimal with no more than 2 decimal places, or a percent.
6. Conduct probability experiments
7. Compare outcomes of theoretical probability with the result of experimental
probability
8. Describe the difference between theoretical and experimental probablility