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Middle School
English The emphasis placed on reading, writing, speaking, and listening is designed to further competence in communicating, thinking, and understanding. The writing process and graphic organizers are used as tools to facilitate effective written communication. Students analyze purpose and interpret meaning in literature. Grammar and usage are taught in context so that students might write with increasing levels of precision and understand more fully the variety and complexity of written and spoken language. Students are given extensive practice in public speaking and oral presentation. |
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Sixth Grade: The sixth-grade English program begins with a unit that explores different literary genres. To further their understanding of the various genres, students answer reading comprehension and critical thinking questions that relate to the main themes of the text. Students write memoirs based on a self-selected topic. They write several short stories and formal essays. Students also participate in a series of sessions of Critics Corner. During Critics Corner, each student chooses a book related to a genre and writes a structured essay. Students participate in a book group discussion based on their essays. |
Resources Guiding Readers and Writers, Gr. 3-6, Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell In the Middle, Nancie Atwell The Art of Teaching Writing, Lucy Caulkins Wordly-Wise 3000 (Vocabulary Builders), Educators Publishing Services Write Source 2000: A Guide to Writing, Thinking and Learning, by Patrick Sebranek, Dave Kemper, and Verne Meyer |
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Seventh Grade: The seventh-grade English program requires students to read award-winning literature while they complete regular reading logs to further their understanding of the relationship between their lives and the themes of the novel. Students read novels that explore issues of identity and contemporary issues related to race. Student discussions and written responses allow children to explore important themes within the books they read. In-class activities and work on summarization and prediction skills allow students to better understand significant literary themes. Students are encouraged to identify new vocabulary within the novel and apply it to the written reflections of their reading. Students practice writing clear thesis statements, including supporting arguments with evidence from the text. They also practice effective essay organization. Students complete creative writing pieces that allow them to practice specific skills for creating characters, describing conflict, and depicting settings. Students revise their work by participating in a revision workshop that involves small group work in a series of critiquing activities. Finally, students present their stories at a public reading with an audience of peers and teachers. |
Resources Rules of the Game:Grammar through Discovery, Wordly-Wise (Vocabulary Builders), Educators Publishing Services |
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Eighth Grade The theme of the eighth-grade English curriculum is The Power of Voice. Eighth-graders work to develop their written voice through an intensive essay-writing unit. Students read and analyze speeches, paying close attention to the elements that make them powerful. Students then apply what they have learned to craft their own compelling speeches. Eighth- graders use a variety of literature for both reading and writing to support critical thinking skills and engage in meaningful discussions about issues of racism, classism, and homophobia. Throughout the year, students are required to create webpages, write poetry, and make self-designed visuals for presentations that reflect upon the themes studied. |
Resources Rules of the Game:Grammar through Discovery, Wordly-Wise (Vocabulary Builders), Educators Publishing Services
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