Core Courses
At San Tan Charter, we are building a bridge to prepare and support our Middle School students as they transition into secondary school. Our Middle School experience starts in the fifth grade by offering cross-curricular learning, differentiated small group instruction, exploratory electives, social-emotional experiences, and athletic opportunities.
Our Sample Day highlights our Middle School Block Schedule. Review our course descriptions, by grade, below.
Core Class Descriptions
The core block classes integrate both content areas (math & science, reading & social studies) into project-based learning opportunities across the curriculum. Students thrive with this larger chunk of time to draw conclusions and make connections to real-world situations.
5th – 8th Grade
| Writing |
|---|
| This class highlights three main genres of writing through narrative, informational, and argumentative formats. Time is devoted to dive deep into writing and focus on this essential skill necessary for all areas of success across the classroom. |
5th Grade
| Math | Science | ELA / Reading | Social Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Develop competency in dividing and fluency in multiplying whole numbers through the application of understanding of place value and multiplication and division.
2. Develop understanding in performing operations with decimals to hundredths and estimating by rounding. 3. Develop understanding of multiplication of fractions and division of fractions in limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions). |
Fifth grade students apply their understanding of scale at macro (time and space) and micro (particles of matter) levels to understand patterns and scale across life, earth and space, and physical sciences.
In this grade level, students will develop a basic understanding of conservation of matter, forces, patterns of Sun, moon, and starts, and genetic inheritance. |
Reading standards for literature and informational text include analyzing the structure of a text and how to quote text accurately. Also learning how to determine meaning from informational text and from different points of view. | Fifth Grade History Strands emphasize American history from the American Revolution to Industrialism (1754 to 1900s). Students understand the history of the United States within an integrated approach. |
6th Grade
| Math | Science | ELA / Reading | Social Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. Develop competency of division of whole numbers and fractions and extend the notion of number to the system of rational numbers.
5. Develop understanding of ratio and rate and use multiplicative reasoning to solve ratio and rate problems. 6. Develop understanding of expressions, equations and inequalities. |
Sixth grade students apply their understanding of matter and energy to atoms, cells, and the Solar System. In this grade level, students will develop an understanding of the nature of matter and the role of energy transformation. Students will also deepen their understanding of scales, patterns, and properties of the Solar System and cell structure. |
Reading standards for literature and informational text include analyzing the central theme and elements of literature such as characters, setting, and plot. Also citing textual evidence to compare and contrast texts from different genres. |
Sixth Grade History Strands emphasize early civilizations- 1500’s. The content focus will be viewed through geographic and historical lenses.
Sixth grade students will understand the cultural, religious, economic, and political systems of selected societies in the eastern hemisphere. Regions in the eastern hemisphere include the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Asia (east, south, and southeast), and Oceania. |
7th Grade
| Math | Science | ELA / Reading | Social Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. Develop understanding of proportional relationships.
8. Develop understanding of operations with rational numbers and work with expressions, inequalities, and linear equations. |
Seventh grade students will explore how forces cause changes in motion and how energy is transferred in geologic, atmospheric, and environmental processes. In this grade level, students investigate forces and motion in a wide variety of systems, model how heat energy drives cycles in weather and climate, and explain how ecosystems maintain structure and stability |
Reading standards for literature and informational text include comparing and contrasting different genres that address similar themes or topics and the impact they may have on each other. Analyzing the author’s intentions and tone on specific word choices. Students then write effective summaries that are objective and through different mediums. |
Seventh Grade History Strands emphasize 1600’s-present. The content focus will be viewed through historical and geographic lenses.
Seventh grade students will understand the relationships and interactions between societies and cultures in both the eastern and western hemispheres. United States history will be taught as it intersects with global issues like World Wars I and II and the Cold War. |
8th Grade
| Math | Science | ELA / Reading | Social Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. Develop understanding of irrational numbers.
10. Develop understanding of expressions and equations, including solving linear equations, linear inequalities, and systems of linear equations. 11. Develop understanding of the concept of a function and use functions to describe quantitative relationships, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation. |
Eighth grade students will describe how the constant interaction of stability and change and the process of cause and effect influence changes in the natural world.
In this grade level, students will apply energy principles to chemical reactions, explore changes within Earth and understand how genetic information is passed down to produce variation among the populations. |
Reading standards for literature and informational text include analyzing the roles of dialogue and how it develops the depth plot.
Identifying the author’s intentions and word choice and the differences that set the tone. |
Eighth Grade History Strands emphasize and make connections between historical and current day issues of the 20th and 21st centuries as a base for implementing change in society.
Students will recognize and practice their roles and responsibilities as both an American and global citizen. United States History will focus on the major events that have their roots in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and subsequent amendments. |
Elective Courses
Students have the opportunity to choose an Elective Course and are assigned a different Exploratory Elective each quarter.
Learn more about our Middle School Elective Courses.
