Middle school English classes are organized to help students learn how to become independent thinkers; thoughtful, reflective readers; and strong writers. All classes include opportunities for students to read literature of all genres, write in a variety of styles, and develop the skills outlined in the Common Core State Standards.
English 7 7th Grade
In seventh grade English Language Arts, students begin the year by reading various short stories studying how authors use characterization, conflict, mood, tone, and theme to craft their stories. During this unit, students focus on using descriptive details and sensory images as they work on creative writing pieces. Additionally, students write open-response essays in which they support an argument with specific textual evidence. The next unit focuses on the memoir, Warriors Don’t Cry, by Melba Pattillo Beals. During the unit, students complete a short research project on the Civil Rights Movement, a personal narrative, and journal reflections on the novel. After reading, students compose a five paragraph essay on the text while implementing the writing process, including brainstorming, organizing ideas, drafting, revising, and editing. As they read The Giver, by Lois Lowry, students practice close reading to analyze theme, strengthening their persuasive writing skills as they construct arguments for a debate centered on key themes in the novel. In preparation for the MCAS, students write open response essays on various types of prose including poems, plays, and nonfiction. Students also prepare by writing a persuasive long-composition essay. The last novel of the year is The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Students engage in discussions, activities, and projects as they explore characterization and conflict in the text. As a culminating activity, students work in groups to create a newspaper which includes articles analyzing the major themes and conflicts in the novel. During the poetry unit, students learn about rhythm, structure, and rhyme and employ these poetic devices in their own poems. Each term, students select a novel to read independently and complete a creative project that illustrates their understanding of the book.
English 8 8th Grade
Eighth grade English focuses on the skills students need to write well and analyze the written word with clarity. Eighth grade English classes are designed to foster clear thinking, thoughtful discussion, respectful collaboration, active listening and the improvement of student writing and reading. Students will compose narrative, expository and persuasive pieces using the Common Core Grade 8 Standards. Writing assignments include essays, poetry, journal writing and research reports. Students are expected to complete outside reading beyond the literature required in class. Core works include The Miracle Worker, To Kill a Mockingbird, Keesha’s House and The Hunger Games. Short stories, poetry and nonfiction articles come from a variety of sources.