Between Kindergarten and 8th grade, students develop a deepening understanding of numbers, operations, geometry, measurement, algebra, and data analysis. In the early grades (K–2), they focus on counting, place value, basic addition and subtraction, simple measurement, identifying shapes, and beginning to understand time and money. As they move into grades 3–5, students build fluency in multiplication and division, work with larger numbers, and explore fractions and decimals. They also learn to measure area, perimeter, and volume, classify shapes based on properties, and begin working with simple equations and patterns.
In middle school (grades 6–8), math becomes more abstract. Students extend their understanding of numbers to include integers, rational numbers, and irrational numbers, and they solve more complex equations and inequalities. They study ratios, rates, proportions, and percent, and they analyze data using measures of central tendency and probability. Geometry shifts to include transformations, angle relationships, and the Pythagorean Theorem, while students are introduced to the concept of functions and graphing linear equations. These foundational concepts prepare students for high school algebra, geometry, and more advanced mathematical thinking.