K-6 Curriculum Overview:

Mathematics - Mathematics is taught daily and receives a great deal of emphasis. The program uses oral drill and written practice sheets and stresses memorization of math facts. Metric and modern math terms are included.

Reading - Reading instruction is an essential element and is a daily part of the curriculum. Students learn to enjoy reading quality literature, identify different text structures, and apply specific mental actions in all subjects. The literature selections include classics, and literature sets with wholesome ideals. Each room has its own grade level appropriate library selections.

Recitations - Each student will memorize and recite for the teacher, one selection of either prose or poetry at least once every six weeks. Students may also enter poetry recitation contests.

Penmanship - The standardized handwriting program in the textbook “The Writing Road to Reading”, is taught in grades K-6. Neatness and legibility of penmanship are stressed through daily work. Cursive writing is introduced during the second semester of 2nd grade, and an annual review of printing is conducted.

Spelling - The spelling program has a strong phonetic base articulated through daily oral and written drill. The program consistently teaches spelling, language rules, vocabulary development, and is the core of the language arts curriculum. Spelling is also emphasized in the literature and composition programs. “The Writing Road to Reading” is the text for spelling.

Language - The language program includes daily practice and drill in fundamental English grammar, its rules, and usage. Composition and poetry are an integral part of the program.

Composition - Each Benjamin Franklin student is expected to follow a defined writing process in a grammatically correct manner that emphasizes clarity of thought and preciseness in spelling and penmanship. A variety of writing experiences are provided at each grade level.

History and Geography - This program emphasizes the study of history and geography. Memorization of important geographical and historical data is required. Current events are also presented.

Science - The science program includes physical, earth, and biological sciences.

Health/Safety - Emphasis is on good health habits, nutrition, general safety rules, first-aid and life saving techniques.

Music - A structured general music and music appreciation program is taught in all grades. An instrumental music program is available to students in 5th grade and above (band) or 4th grade and above (orchestra). The band and orchestra programs meet before and/or after school.

Physical Education - Each child at Benjamin Franklin School participates in a structured physical education experience. The physical education program is designed to teach children important physical skill development that will carry over into day-to-day life and help promote good health.

Art - Art appreciation is a part of the basic program. Art is used to emphasize holidays and seasons, and where appropriate, is incorporated into other areas of study. Art activities emphasize traditional art concepts. The school also provides an Art Masterpiece Program presented by parent volunteers.

Character, Virtues, & Citizenship - Respect, heroism, self-discipline, gratitude, generosity, courage, justice, compassion, courtesy, and hope (our virtues for the year), and the meaning of citizenship are taught through the use of the Core Virtues program. The Core virtues program is a literature-based method of teaching civic virtues. Teachers set examples for students and teach them through acknowledgment, praise, and role-playing. Respect for personal and public property is taught by stressing respect rather than fear of punishment.

7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Overview:

General Math (Difficulty: Average 7th) - This course covers computation with whole numbers, decimals and fractions; mathematical expressions, integers, measurement, exponents, graphing, geometry, area and volume, squares and square roots, solving equations ration, proportion, and percent.

Pre-Algebra 1/2 (Difficulty: High 7th - Average 8th) - This course is designed to help prepare students for the eighth grade Algebra class. In addition to the basic areas of mathematics, the course covers integers, equations, exponents, problem solving, formulas, graphing, elementary statistics, probability, geometry, rational numbers, and coordinate planes.

Algebra I, II (Difficulty: High 8th) - These are non-integrated math courses that are designed to prepare students for applying mathematical skills in problem-solving settings and enter them into more advanced studies in math and science. Content includes symbolic manipulation, data interpretation, data representation in multiple forms, linear and quadratic equations and their applications in problem solving.

English I (Composition and Grammar - 7th) - The emphasis of this course is on the writing process. Writing experiences include creative writing, descriptive writing, narrative writing, extemporaneous writing, expository writing (including report and summary writing) note taking, poetry writing, and persuasive writing. It also includes the study of writing, grammar and spelling, penmanship, vocabulary development, oral speaking and study skills. Students write at least one major composition each six weeks.

English II (Composition and Literature - 8th) - This course emphasizes the refinement of language arts skills (composition, language structure and mechanics, vocabulary, and penmanship, and the continued study of fine literature. Literature selections include classics and other literature with wholesome ideals.

American History I - (7th) - This course is a study of American History from the discovery of our country to 1900. The curriculum is primary source intensive and includes the memorization and recitation of certain documents. The study of Western Hemisphere geography is also included. Both the Constitution and the events leading up to the formation of the government, with an emphasis on the role of the Founding Fathers, form integral parts of the curriculum.

American History II - (8th) - This course continues the study of American History, from 1900 to the present day. The curriculum is primary source intensive with special focus on developing critical thinking and cause and effect skills to understand the United States role in world events. The study of geography is also included.

Literature - (7th) Literature sets, selected among the classics and other wholesome literature, are read to develop an appreciation for good literature. Story elements are identified and taught. Reading skills such as main idea, inference, supporting details, antecedents and vocabulary are reviewed.

Research - (8th) - This course includes the study and acquisition of research skills and experiences. Students are expected to apply the elements of good writing within (four to six) different major research projects or reports. Topics are selected from among historical events, famous persons, influential literature contributions, or scientific concepts and are connected with the core curriculum.

Science I - (7th) - This is an introductory course which includes the study of biology and earth science. The course emphasizes concepts, processes, hands-on activities, and expanding science vocabulary. Mathematical and graphing skills are used along with the scientific method.

Science II - (8th) - This course is a study of the physical sciences. It includes 3 major domains of science study: introductory physics, introductory chemistry, and earth science. It is and activity-based course with some laboratory exercises and extensive teacher demonstrations. Emphasis is placed on the scientific method, scientific inquiry, and graphing skills.

Music (Elective) - Options include: Band I & II, Orchestra I & II, or Choir I & II, and are performance-oriented courses for students. A variety of musical forms and styles are studied. A number of evening performances will be required. Enrollment in Band II, Orchestra II, and/or Choir II electives requires prior teacher approval and/or a successful audition.

Art I (Introductory) (Elective) - This Introductory Art program is offered for students who have an interest in a serious and challenging art program. This program will expose the student to a variety of media and techniques spread across many challenging assignments. This program also includes an art history component.

Art II (Advanced) (Elective) - The advanced art program is offered to students who have taken the Introductory art course and have an interest in an even more challenging program. The program will build on the skills and techniques from the introductory art program and help the students refine their artistic talents. Students will be exposed to many types of art media and techniques. There will be an art history element included in this course. Enrollment in the Art II elective requires prior teacher approval.

Physical Education I & II (Elective) - The course provides the students with a healthy physical fitness experience including physical fitness concepts and activities, intramural sports activities, concepts of teamwork and fair play, and sports rules and techniques. Enrollment in the PE II elective requires prior teacher approval.

Foreign Language (Elective) - Foreign languages will be offered as part of the elective “cultural arts wheel” The languages being offered will depend on student interest and the availability of instructors throughout the school year.

Computer I (Keyboarding) (Elective) - This is a one-semester course offered twice a year. The course uses the program “Typing Tutor 6” to teach typing skills in the computer lab. The course is self-paced with no prior typing experience required.

Computer II (Applications) (Elective) - This course covers two semesters. The first semester will follow the schedule of the Keyboarding elective. The second semester is the study of computer applications with an emphasis on Microsoft’s Office suite of applications, which includes projects in Word, Powerpoint, and Excel. The course ends with the study of basic and limited advanced HTML programming and the creation of individual web pages. Enrollment in this elective requires prior teacher approval.

Clubs (Optional) - This program will be an after school activity that may include competitions and field trips in the applicable areas. The clubs tentatively contemplated are: Chess Club, Geography Club, Drama, Science, Academic League competition, and student Council. Each club will be operated by one of each of the core teachers. The clubs will give students with a special interest in one of the areas the opportunity to experience and participate in an enhanced program focused on their area of interest. This may include such things as parent sponsored weekend field trips to observatories, museums, plays, workshops and other such activities.

After School Sports (Optional) - For those students interested in sports, a program will be offered by the school in accordance with grade requirements and league guidelines. This program of intramural sports activities includes boys’ flag football and girls’ volleyball (fall), boys’ and girls’ basketball (winter), boys’ volleyball and girls’ softball and boys’ and girls’ track (spring) in accordance with league rules.

Co-Curricular Activities — Benjamin Franklin Charter School students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of classroom related activities. These include Math, Science, and History/Geography Challenge Teams, which compete at district and regional levels. Math Counts, Geography Bee, and Spelling Bee winners will also compete at district, and occasionally, higher levels. Students will also compete in writing contests sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Masons, the State of Arizona, Franklin Parent Advisory Council, etc.