Core Classes

At Tempe Elementary, our students are equipped with the core skills, critical thinking, adaptability, communication skills, love of learning, community mindset, and empowered sense of self they need to navigate, take on new challenges, and succeed in an ever-changing world - today, tomorrow, and for life.

Our passionate teachers and staff believe that all students want to learn, can learn, and demonstrate success in individual ways. In combination with our unique, innovative, and future-ready approach to instruction, Tempe Elementary Schools adheres to the academic standards set by the Arizona Department of Education from kindergarten to 8th grade.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Teacher points out to word on page to student

6th-8th

6th-8th

All English language arts (ELA) courses are aligned to Arizona’s English Language Arts Standards. ELA in the middle school grades consists of two different courses, one that focuses on reading and a second that focuses on writing.

Through ELA instruction, students will...

Become self-directed learners who can comprehend and evaluate complex information.
Grow to be discerning readers, listeners, and viewers who use relevant evidence to support their thinking in writing, speaking, and reading.
Implement technology to enhance their understanding and use of language.
Actively seek to understand other perspectives and cultures.

Reading Focus
Students will engage with both literature and informational texts, applying comprehension strategies and expanding their academic vocabulary using Thinking Maps® to organize their thoughts.

Writing Focus
Students will learn the writing process and produce argumentative and explanatory texts supported by evidence, utilizing Thinking Maps® and the Write From the Beginning... and Beyond structures to enhance their skills.

Mathematics

Student works out problem on the board using technology

6th

6th Grade Key Concepts

Division of whole numbers and fractions
Rational numbers
Ratios, rates, and the use of multiplicative reasoning
Developing skills in expressions, equations, and inequalities

All math courses are aligned to the Arizona Mathematics Standards and utilize BLUEPRINT and the core resource, Illustrative Math.

Instructional outcomes ensure students build a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and practices that will prepare them for high school mathematics, real-world problem-solving, and future academic or career opportunities. Tempe’s program focuses on several key objectives:

Encouraging students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, promoting critical thinking and persistence when faced with challenges.
Developing the ability to reason both abstractly and quantitatively, helping students understand the relationships between numbers and real-world scenarios.
Enabling students to construct viable arguments, use logic, and critique the reasoning of others, fostering communication and collaboration in mathematical discussions.
Applying mathematical concepts to real-world situations, using math as a tool to model and solve problems encountered in daily life.
Guiding students to use appropriate mathematical tools, such as calculators, diagrams, and technology, strategically and effectively.
Emphasizing the importance of accuracy and precision in mathematical work, which is crucial for solving problems and communicating mathematical ideas clearly.
Encouraging students to recognize and use mathematical structures, such as patterns and relationships, to simplify complex problems.

Honors and advanced courses also provide students with the opportunity to complete Algebra 1 and Geometry courses during their middle school journey.

7th

7th Grade Key Concepts

Understanding proportional relationships and operations with rational numbers
Expressions, inequalities, and linear equations to enhance mathematical reasoning

All math courses are aligned to the Arizona Mathematics Standards and utilize BLUEPRINT and the core resource, Illustrative Math.

Instructional outcomes ensure students build a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and practices that will prepare them for high school mathematics, real-world problem-solving, and future academic or career opportunities. Tempe’s program focuses on several key objectives:

Encouraging students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, promoting critical thinking and persistence when faced with challenges.
Developing the ability to reason both abstractly and quantitatively, helping students understand the relationships between numbers and real-world scenarios.
Enabling students to construct viable arguments, use logic, and critique the reasoning of others, fostering communication and collaboration in mathematical discussions.
Applying mathematical concepts to real-world situations, using math as a tool to model and solve problems encountered in daily life.
Guiding students to use appropriate mathematical tools, such as calculators, diagrams, and technology, strategically and effectively.
Emphasizing the importance of accuracy and precision in mathematical work, which is crucial for solving problems and communicating mathematical ideas clearly.
Encouraging students to recognize and use mathematical structures, such as patterns and relationships, to simplify complex problems.

Honors and advanced courses also provide students with the opportunity to complete Algebra 1 and Geometry courses during their middle school journey.

8th

8th Grade Key Concepts

Understanding irrational numbers and expressions and equations
Solving linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations
Understanding functions
Describing quantitative relationships

All math courses are aligned to the Arizona Mathematics Standards and utilize BLUEPRINT and the core resource, Illustrative Math.

Instructional outcomes ensure students build a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and practices that will prepare them for high school mathematics, real-world problem-solving, and future academic or career opportunities. Tempe’s program focuses on several key objectives:

Encouraging students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, promoting critical thinking and persistence when faced with challenges.
Developing the ability to reason both abstractly and quantitatively, helping students understand the relationships between numbers and real-world scenarios.
Enabling students to construct viable arguments, use logic, and critique the reasoning of others, fostering communication and collaboration in mathematical discussions.
Applying mathematical concepts to real-world situations, using math as a tool to model and solve problems encountered in daily life.
Guiding students to use appropriate mathematical tools, such as calculators, diagrams, and technology, strategically and effectively.
Emphasizing the importance of accuracy and precision in mathematical work, which is crucial for solving problems and communicating mathematical ideas clearly.
Encouraging students to recognize and use mathematical structures, such as patterns and relationships, to simplify complex problems.

Honors and advanced courses also provide students with the opportunity to complete Algebra 1 and Geometry courses during their middle school journey.

Science

Teacher assists two students in launching rocket on field

6th

6th Grade Key Concepts

Interdependence of organisms
Ecosystems
Human impacts on the environment
Properties of matter
Energy transformations
Forces
Solar system
Earth's motion
Celestial events like eclipses and moon phases

Tempe Elementary Schools understands the importance of science education in all grades, while highlighting the idea that grades 6-8 are crucial because they represent a transitional phase in students' scientific education, moving from foundational concepts to more complex, abstract thinking and application.

Here are key aspects of what’s important about science education at this level:

Building on Foundational Knowledge
Introduction to Abstract Concepts
Inquiry-Based and Hands-On Learning
Emphasis on Engineering and Technology
Collaboration and Communication Skills
Real-World Application
Development of Scientific Literacy

7th

7th Grade Key Concepts

Cell theory
Body systems
Photosynthesis
Electromagnetic forces
Gravity
Newton’s Laws
Flow of matter and energy through Earth's systems
Plate tectonics
Climate and weather patterns.

Tempe Elementary Schools understands the importance of science education in all grades, while highlighting the idea that grades 6-8 are crucial because they represent a transitional phase in students' scientific education, moving from foundational concepts to more complex, abstract thinking and application.

Here are key aspects of what’s important about science education at this level:

Building on Foundational Knowledge
Introduction to Abstract Concepts
Inquiry-Based and Hands-On Learning
Emphasis on Engineering and Technology
Collaboration and Communication Skills
Real-World Application
Development of Scientific Literacy

8th

8th Grade Key Concepts

Natural selection
Genetic variations,
Implications of genetic research
Chemical reactions
Energy transfers
Wave characteristics
Geological column
Human resource consumption
Natural hazards
Significant geological events

Tempe Elementary Schools understands the importance of science education in all grades, while highlighting the idea that grades 6-8 are crucial because they represent a transitional phase in students' scientific education, moving from foundational concepts to more complex, abstract thinking and application.

Here are key aspects of what’s important about science education at this level:

Building on Foundational Knowledge
Introduction to Abstract Concepts
Inquiry-Based and Hands-On Learning
Emphasis on Engineering and Technology
Collaboration and Communication Skills
Real-World Application
Development of Scientific Literacy

Social Studies

6th

6th Grade Key Concepts

World religions and cultures of the Eastern hemisphere
Early civilizations through the Renaissance period
Reformation

In social studies, students in grades 6-8 explore the four core disciplines of history, geography, civics, and economics to develop a well-rounded understanding of the world. These courses engage students in the pursuit of active, informed citizenship and require a broad range thinking, reading, and writing skills, including:

Posing and framing questions
Gathering a variety of evidence
Recognizing continuity and detecting change over time
Utilizing chronology to examine cause and effect relationships
Examining, interpreting, and contextualizing primary sources focusing on author, purpose, and audience of each source,
Identifying and comparing historical, geographic, economic, and political science interpretations from a wide variety of secondary sources
Utilizing broader understanding to discern subtext in primary and secondary sources
Developing and defending evidenced based arguments,
Utilizing multiple perspectives for comprehensive explanation
Practicing and cultivating a wide variety of diverse types of writing
Engaging in constructive conversations around history and social science topics

7th

7th Grade Key Concepts

Integrated global studies
The Scientific Revolution
The Enlightenment period to the present day

In social studies, students in grades 6-8 explore the four core disciplines of history, geography, civics, and economics to develop a well-rounded understanding of the world. These courses engage students in the pursuit of active, informed citizenship and require a broad range thinking, reading, and writing skills, including:

Posing and framing questions
Gathering a variety of evidence
Recognizing continuity and detecting change over time
Utilizing chronology to examine cause and effect relationships
Examining, interpreting, and contextualizing primary sources focusing on author, purpose, and audience of each source,
Identifying and comparing historical, geographic, economic, and political science interpretations from a wide variety of secondary sources
Utilizing broader understanding to discern subtext in primary and secondary sources
Developing and defending evidenced based arguments,
Utilizing multiple perspectives for comprehensive explanation
Practicing and cultivating a wide variety of diverse types of writing
Engaging in constructive conversations around history and social science topics

8th

8th Grade Key Concepts

Citizenship
Civic engagement in today’s society

In social studies, students in grades 6-8 explore the four core disciplines of history, geography, civics, and economics to develop a well-rounded understanding of the world. These courses engage students in the pursuit of active, informed citizenship and require a broad range thinking, reading, and writing skills, including:

Posing and framing questions
Gathering a variety of evidence
Recognizing continuity and detecting change over time
Utilizing chronology to examine cause and effect relationships
Examining, interpreting, and contextualizing primary sources focusing on author, purpose, and audience of each source,
Identifying and comparing historical, geographic, economic, and political science interpretations from a wide variety of secondary sources
Utilizing broader understanding to discern subtext in primary and secondary sources
Developing and defending evidenced based arguments,
Utilizing multiple perspectives for comprehensive explanation
Practicing and cultivating a wide variety of diverse types of writing
Engaging in constructive conversations around history and social science topics

Physical Education (PE)

Two students holding basketball in school gym

6th-8th

6th-8th

At our 6-8 middle schools, Physical Education is offered as a semester elective class. The elective classes are five days a week for one period per day.

All instruction is aligned to Arizona Physical Education State Standards. Tempe Elementary Physical Education teachers in the Tempe Elementary School District are appropriately certified and provide both physical and gross motor activities for students.

Honors Courses

McKemy offers math honors courses for our 6th-8th grade students. Please reach out to the school office to learn about the honors courses that may be available to your student.

All instruction is aligned to the Arizona State Standards outlined by the Arizona Department of Education.

Review Arizona State Standards

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English Language Arts (ELA)

6th-8th

Mathematics

6th

7th

8th

Science

6th

7th

8th

Social Studies

6th

7th

8th

Physical Education (PE)

6th-8th

Honors Courses

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