2015
Math in Focus

8th Grade - Gateway 1

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Gateway Ratings Summary

Focus & Coherence

Gateway 1 - Meets Expectations
85%
Criterion 1.1: Focus
2 / 2
Criterion 1.2: Coherence
4 / 4
Criterion 1.3: Coherence
6 / 8

The materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for focusing on major work and coherence. The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 had approximately 70% of the work on the major clusters for 8.EE.A, 8.EE.B, 8.EE.C, 8.F.A, 8.F.B, 8.G.A and 8.G.B. The content could be covered in 145 days. There are two chapters that connect two or more domains within Grade 8. In the teacher edition the CCSSM are listed for each lesson. In the student edition the lesson objective is listed each time and these objectives are based on the CCSSM.

Criterion 1.1: Focus

2 / 2
Materials do not assess topics before the grade level in which the topic should be introduced.

The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for assessing material at the Grade 8 level. The items tested are aligned to the CCSSM for Grade 8.

Indicator 1a

2 / 2
The instructional material assesses the grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades. Content from future grades may be introduced but students should not be held accountable on assessments for future expectations.

The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for assessing material at the Grade 8 level.

  • All items tested are CCSSM for the Grade 8.

Criterion 1.2: Coherence

4 / 4

Students and teachers using the materials as designed devote the large majority of class time in each grade K-8 to the major work of the grade.

The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for spending the majority of class time on the major clusters for Grade 8. The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 spend approximately 70% of the time on the major clusters for 8.EE.A, 8.EE.B, 8.EE.C, 8.F.A, 8.F.B, 8.G.A and 8.G.B.

Indicator 1b

4 / 4

Instructional material spends the majority of class time on the major cluster of each grade.

The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for spending the majority of class time on the major clusters for Grade 8.

  • The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 spend approximately 70% of the time on the major clusters for 8.EE.A, 8.EE.B, 8.EE.C, 8.F.A, 8.F.B, 8.G.A and 8.G.B.

Criterion 1.3: Coherence

6 / 8

Coherence: Each grade's instructional materials are coherent and consistent with the Standards.

The materials reviewed for Grade 8 partially meet the expectations for coherence. The content could be covered in 145 days. “Concepts and Skills Across the Curriculum” link the current material to the skills progression to both the previous and the next grade. In the teacher edition, the CCSSM are listed for each lesson. In the student edition the lesson objective is listed each time and these objectives are based on the CCSSM.

Indicator 1c

1 / 2

Supporting content enhances focus and coherence simultaneously by engaging students in the major work of the grade.

The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 8 partially meet the expectations for the supporting content enhancing the major work.

  • The first nine chapters are on major work.
  • In chapters 10 and 11, students create scatter plots and are asked to put in a line of best fit and write an equation for this line. Supporting content 8.SP.A makes connections to the major work of 8.F.B where students are using scatter plots to interpret relationships within a function. It also connects to 8.EE.B when it has students write equations for a line of best fit on the scatter plots.

Indicator 1d

2 / 2

The amount of content designated for one grade level is viable for one school year in order to foster coherence between grades.

The materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for the amount of content designated being viable for one school year.

  • The content could be covered in 145 days.
  • This meets the threshold for more than 65% of the year being focused on the major work of 8th grade to foster coherence between Grade 8 and Grade 9.

Indicator 1e

2 / 2

Materials are consistent with the progressions in the Standards i. Materials develop according to the grade-by-grade progressions in the Standards. If there is content from prior or future grades, that content is clearly identified and related to grade-level work ii. Materials give all students extensive work with grade-level problems iii. Materials relate grade level concepts explicitly to prior knowledge from earlier grades.

The materials reviewed for Grade 8 meet the expectations for the progressions in the standards.

  • "Concepts and Skills Across the Curriculum" links the current material to the skills progression to both the previous and the next grade.
  • Chapter 11 on probability is identified as meeting Grade 7 standards.
  • Every chapter starts with a section of recalling prior knowledge for the students with a review and a quick check practice.
  • Math background pages give teachers a review of the background knowledge needed for the unit.

Indicator 1f

1 / 2

Materials foster coherence through connections at a single grade, where appropriate and required by the Standards i. Materials include learning objectives that are visibly shaped by CCSSM cluster headings. ii. Materials include problems and activities that serve to connect two or more clusters in a domain, or two or more domains in a grade, in cases where these connections are natural and important.

The materials reviewed for Grade 8 partially meet the expectations for fostering coherence through connections at a single grade.

  • In the teacher edition the CCSSM are listed for each lesson.
  • In the student edition the lesson objective is listed each time and these objectives are based on the CCSSM.
  • There are two chapters that connect two or more domains within Grade 8. Chapter 1 connects exponents and the number system and chapter 7 connecting the Pythagorean Theorem with equation work.
  • There are nine chapters that focus on one domain each.