St. Matthew School’s Math and Science program offers an intensive study challenging students to develop critical thinking skills through discovery and exploration.
welcome to middle school math and science
Mr. Bejoy Thomas
I love teaching at St. Matthew School because I love the diversity of the students. Getting to know their different backgrounds enriches my understanding and appreciation of cultures. It’s also the right size to get to know my students personally and build good rapport with them.
Background
Master of Science (Early Adolescent Education)
Started at St. Matthew School in 2022
Philosophy
I love for my students to discover and explore patterns and connect them. I think my role is to help guide them in their thinking and to engage in their learning.
Fun Facts
Mr. Thomas loves pizza, is an avid sports fan and a big New York sports fan. He loves doing challenging math problems and Sherlock Holmes. Reading books about Sherlock Holmes helps him get connected to mathematics.
Favorite Math Formula
Pythagorean Formula: a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Curriculum
math program
At the start of the year, a diagnostic test is given and previous years’ grades and MAPS scores are analyzed to determine each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on this data, students are divided into two different math groups. It is our intention to place each student in the most appropriate group to maximize the learning experience and ensure the most success.
6th Grade math
- 6th Grade Math Connects – This course follows 6th Grade Washington State Common Core Standards. It emphasizes teaching math basics to students, while strengthening their problem solving skills and connecting the content to real life. Along with the topics listed below, students will also be taught organizational skills and mathematical practices that will help them persevere through challenging problems. The topics that will be taught this year are: numbers, operations, patterns, relationships, algebraic thinking, measurement, and geometry.
- Pre – Algebra – This course introduces students into the fundamentals of algebra and teaches students how to transition from numerical thinking to algebraic thinking. These algebraic concepts are continuously connected to arithmetic skills to build on what students already know. Geometry concepts will also be integrated towards the third trimester and will help bridge the gap for when students enter geometry courses in future years. This group of students will move at a slightly more advanced pace. The topics that will be taught this year are: Algebraic expressions and integers, solving equations and inequalities, decimals, fractions, exponents, ratios, proportions, percent, linear functions and graphing, area and volume, and right triangles.
7th Grade math
- Pre – Algebra- This course introduces students to the fundamentals of algebra and teaches students how to transition from numerical thinking to algebraic thinking. These algebraic concepts are continuously connected to arithmetic skills to build on what students already know. Geometry concepts will also be integrated towards the third trimester and will help bridge the gap for when students enter geometry courses in future years. The topics that will be taught this year are: Algebraic expressions and integers, solving equations and inequalities, decimals, fractions, exponents, ratios, proportions, percent, linear functions and graphing, area and volume, and right triangles.
- Algebra- In this course, students will dive much deeper into real world application of algebraic concepts. Students will engage in several activities and projects that require connections between algebraic, arithmetic, and geometric thinking. The topics that will be covered this year are: Variables, functions, graphs, solving equations and inequalities, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations, radical expressions and equations, and rational expressions and functions.
8th Grade math
- Algebra- In this course, students will dive much deeper into real world application of algebraic concepts. Students will engage in several activities and projects that require connections between algebraic, arithmetic, and geometric thinking. The topics that will be covered this year are: Variables, functions, graphs, solving equations and inequalities, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations, radical expressions and equations, and rational expressions and functions.
- Geometry- Students were placed in this course if they demonstrated an advanced understanding of algebraic and geometric concepts. Students will be challenged to learn high school level geometry concepts and integrate mathematical practices to persevere through those challenges. This course will help prepare students for high school entrance and placement exams. The topics covered in this course are: Geometry basics, lines and angle relationships, congruence, inequalities, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, transformations, Area, similarity, The Right Triangle, and properties of circles.
science program
All middle school students will study Physical Science, Earth Science, Life Science, and Engineering.
- Physical Science provides students studies in physics by exploring energy, heat, mass, speed, motion, gravity, and other force interactions.
- Earth Science allows students to study the earth’s surfaces, the rock cycle, weather, population, human impact on environment, as well as our solar system.
- Life Science provides students studies in biology exploring cell structures, circulatory systems, ecosystems, photosynthesis, biological evolution, fossil analysis, and anatomy studies.
- Engineering challenges students to design and build projects to be functional using logic and mechanical means while understanding constraints and barriers to problem solve.