| 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade | |
| English | Literature & Composition | Literature & Composition | Literature & Composition |
| Mathematics | Course 1, Course 2, Course 3, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II | Course 1, Course 2, Course 3, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II | Course 1, Course 2, Course 3, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II |
| Science | Life Science | Physical Science | Earth and Space Science |
| History | Ancient History, Early Ages | American History, Civil War – Great Depression | American History / Civics, World War II – Contemporary World |
| Electives | Foreign Language, Strings, Band, Technology | Foreign Language, Strings, Band, Technology | Foreign Language, Strings, Band, Technology |
| Physical Education | Physical Education | Physical Education | Physical Education |
Curriculum Description:
| Mathematics | ||
| Course 1 Whole Numbers and Decimals Data and Graphs Patterns and Variables Number Theory and Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions Multiplying and Dividing Fractions Ratios, Proportions, and Percents Tools of Geometry Geometry and Measurement Exploring Probability Integers Equations and Inequalities |
Course 2 Decimals and Integers Exponents, Factors, and Fractions Operations With Fractions Equations and Inequalities Ratios, Rates, and Proportions Percents Geometry Measurement Patterns and Rules Graphing in the Coordinate Plane Displaying and Analyzing Data Using Probability |
Course 3 Integers and Algebraic Expressions Rational Numbers Real Numbers and the Coordinate Plane Applications of Proportions Applications of Percent Equations and Inequalities Geometry Measurement Using Graphs to Analyze Data Probability Functions Polynomials and Properties of Exponents |
| Science | ||
| 6th Grade – Life Science Human Brain and Senses Populations and Ecosystems Diversity of Life |
7th Grade – Physical Science Electronics Chemical Interactions Force and Motion |
8th Grade – Earth and Space Science Planetary Science Earth History Weather and Water |
Our middle school next year will consist of grades 6th-8th where each student is part of a learning community that emphasizes the founding principles of San Tan: cutting-edge academics while providing real-world learning opportunities for students to grow socially and emotionally. We will continue to pursue community partnerships like working with the Scott Foundation service learning program that the 6th & 7th graders worked with this year.
Each student’s day will be scheduled around 6 class periods. The academic class periods will revolve around the 4 core classes of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. The teachers of the 4 core classes will be highly qualified to teach within their content area. This means they have a certification to teach a particular academic subject. This is important because teachers that have a true mastery of a content area are able to take students to the depth they need within the coursework. Physical education will be a required class of all students and they will get a choice of their elective class.
Language Arts across 6th, 7th, and 8th grade consists of Literature & Composition. Students will take a placement test in May to determine which level language arts course they will be placed in, so these courses may be multi-age if a student places into a higher level course. The teachers have selected the Prentice Hall Literature program as the curriculum. The program is aligned to the Common Core standards, and the rigor in is such that many educators feel curriculum tied to the common core standards is a grade level to a grade level and a half above the Arizona Standards. As an example, you may have a 6th grade student that is placed in a text at 6th grade. We are not neglecting our grade level above expectation as the current 6th grade text aligned to common core is already a minimum of a year advanced in difficulty level. If you would like to learn more about the curriculum selected, Prentice Hall Literature: Common Core Edition 2012, please visit www.pearsonsuccessnet.com with the username: ccliterature and password: welcome.
In Mathematics, the course work ranges from Course 1 through Algebra II. There is a description on the bottom of the course of study page that describes each mathematics course offered. Students will test in May to place into the appropriate mathematics class. Students must show mastery on an end of course exam to place into the next level of mathematics. The curriculum is a recent publishing and aligns to the common core standards, so when you view it you will be able to see that it will provide students with a challenge. If you are interested in learning more about the Mathematics curriculum selected, Prentice Hall Mathematics, then visit www.phschool.com. The initial three courses in the program are Courses 1, 2, and 3 Common Core Edition 2012. The parent codes to view homework video tutors, lesson quizzes, chapter quizzes, vocabulary reviews and more are: Course 1: aqk 0099, Course 2: ark 0099, and Course 3: ask 0099.
Science curriculum will follow the scope and sequence as shown on the course of study page and will not be multi-age classrooms because the topics are prescribed by the AZ state standards, so the teacher will teach for depth in each grade level classroom. We will continue with the Foss Science kits that are currently implemented in the elementary school to continue with the scope and sequence of the program. Additional information on Middle School Foss Science Modules can be found at http://www.fossweb.com/modulesMS/index.html.
History classes will be similar to science in that the student will complete the coursework with their grade level peers as shown in the course of study. Staff is still in the process of reviewing the textbooks that will be used to deliver the content, and that will also be available to view in the district office in the upcoming weeks.
Students will be required to participate in daily physical education and they will select their final course, or elective. The students will be asked to rank their choices for electives, so that we can guarantee them one of their top 2 choices. We ask that students commit to the elective for the entire school year to take the time to learn the fundamentals and then refine their craft. They will be allowed to choose another elective the following year if they would like to pursue a new interest or they can continue with their same elective or instrument.