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)
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
6th
6th Grade Key Concepts
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Division of whole numbers and fractions
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Rational numbers
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Ratios, rates, and the use of multiplicative reasoning
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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:
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Encouraging students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, promoting critical thinking and persistence when faced with challenges.
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Developing the ability to reason both abstractly and quantitatively, helping students understand the relationships between numbers and real-world scenarios.
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Enabling students to construct viable arguments, use logic, and critique the reasoning of others, fostering communication and collaboration in mathematical discussions.
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Applying mathematical concepts to real-world situations, using math as a tool to model and solve problems encountered in daily life.
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Guiding students to use appropriate mathematical tools, such as calculators, diagrams, and technology, strategically and effectively.
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Emphasizing the importance of accuracy and precision in mathematical work, which is crucial for solving problems and communicating mathematical ideas clearly.
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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
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Understanding proportional relationships and operations with rational numbers
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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
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Understanding irrational numbers and expressions and equations
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Solving linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations
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Understanding functions
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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
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:
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Posing and framing questions
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Gathering a variety of evidence
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Recognizing continuity and detecting change over time
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Utilizing chronology to examine cause and effect relationships
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Examining, interpreting, and contextualizing primary sources focusing on author, purpose, and audience of each source,
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Identifying and comparing historical, geographic, economic, and political science interpretations from a wide variety of secondary sources
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Utilizing broader understanding to discern subtext in primary and secondary sources
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Developing and defending evidenced based arguments,
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Utilizing multiple perspectives for comprehensive explanation
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Practicing and cultivating a wide variety of diverse types of writing
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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)
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.