BOOST READING/ LANGUAGE ARTS 6 (161)

2 credits; 2 semesters

Boost Reading/Language Arts is intended to give new middle school students the skills they need in academic and social settings. English skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening will be improved. Students will use English to participate in social and classroom interactions in culturally appropriate ways. They will interact through spoken and written English for personal expression and enjoyment. Students will read and understand a variety of materials and interpret literature through listening, observing, speaking, and writing for a variety of purposes and audiences, and to develop higher critical thinking skills. They will use grammatical and mechanical conventions of language in speaking and writing.

READING/ LANGUAGE ARTS 6 (160)

2 credits; 2 semesters

Integrated instruction will emphasize writing, speaking, and listening in interest-and ability-appropriate content. Using oral discussion, reading, writing, art, and drama, students respond to fiction and nonfiction selections or reality-based experiences, multimedia presentations, and classroom or group experiences. They apply their research skills by writing or delivering reports that demonstrate the distinction between their own ideas and the ideas of others. They use simple, compound, and complex sentences to express their thoughts. They deliver oral presentations on problems and solutions and show evidence to support their views. Students write independently for enjoyment. Students enrolled in this course will be remediated in areas that are deemed under the level of proficiency.

HONORS READING/ LANGUAGE ARTS 6 (168)

2 credits; 2 semesters

Honors Reading/Language Arts focuses on the four academic standards: speaking and listening, reading for all purposes, writing and composition, and research and reasoning. This course builds upon ALP elementary level instruction and demands increased application of skills and intellectual reasoning while reading, writing, speaking and listening. Selections will be individualized for the readability of the student and will be more challenging that the standard course. Focused studies include: analyzing literary components, examining text structures, developing vocabulary knowledge through context, organizing and structuring writing for intended audiences and purposes, informative/expository and persuasive writing, grammar and mechanics of English language.

StudySync is our adopted English language arts instructional materials designed to meet the rigorous academic needs of today’s classroom. In print or online, StudySync is designed to engage every student, because every student deserves the same opportunity and access in the classroom, regardless of his or her native language, learning level or physical, social and emotional ability.

BOOST ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 7 (171)

2 credits; 2 semesters

Students in this course will study short stories, classical mythology, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. Classroom instruction will integrate vocabulary development throughout all reading selections and develop spelling lists based on frequently used words. Students in this level will complete assorted creative and expository writings, respond to prompts, and maintain a journal. In addition, students will explore the parts of speech and the parts of the sentence.

This course is designed for the student who has shown a readiness for basic skills in the language arts and is intended to improve student readiness for more challenging material. Class sizes are generally smaller to allow for more individualized instruction and to encourage the students to improve their basic skills to reach grade level proficiency in the language arts.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 7 (170)

2 credits; 2 semesters

This course covers the areas of literature, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and writing. Students will study a wide variety of literary types, including poetry, drama, short stories, and nonfiction. They also practice writing and speaking for different purposes and audiences, and engage in a general study of the English language. The seventh grade English program is designed to develop and improve students’ communication and critical thinking skills.

HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 7 (173)

2 credits; 2 semesters

In this advanced literature and language course, students will engage in higher-level analysis of literature, including the study of short stories, classical mythology, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. The literary resources that students will use in this course are above the seventh-grade reading level.

Students will engage in a vocabulary program, complete assorted creative and expository writings, respond to prompts, and engage in grammar and word usage activities.

This course is designed for the student who is working at an advanced level in the language arts. To qualify for placement into this course, students are expected to have performed consistently at the high end of the Advanced Level on standardized assessments. Teacher input may also be a factor for placement in this course.

BOOST ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8 (181)

2 credits; 2 semesters

Using a unified text and supplementary materials, students will read various genres of literature that incorporate lessons containing language, vocabulary, writing, and spelling instruction.

Teachers also will coordinate language workshops, speaking and listening activities, and reading instruction with the studied literature. Students will complete assorted creative and expository writings, respond to prompts, and maintain a journal.

This course is designed for the student who has shown basic skills in the language arts, and is intended to improve student readiness for more challenging material. Class sizes are generally smaller to allow for more individualized instruction and to encourage the students to improve their basic skills to reach grade level in the language arts.

Students are placed in this course based on their performance on the district-approved benchmark assessments. Teacher input may also be a factor for placement in this course.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8 (180)

2 credits; 2 semesters

This course includes the study of grammar, usage, spelling, written composition, public speaking, literature, and a challenging vocabulary program. This class may require students to prepare daily assignments, complete outside reading, and present speeches to inform and persuade.

Students will complete assorted creative and expository writings, respond to prompts, and maintain a journal. Students selecting this level must complete assigned summer reading as a preparation for the class.

The fundamental text resources used in this course are on an eighth grade reading level, but instruction also includes a wide variety of literary selections to provide challenges for students of different reading and writing abilities.

HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8 (183)

2 credits; 2 semesters

In this advanced literature and language course, students will engage in higher-level analysis of literature, an in-depth study of grammar and usage, both expository and creative written composition, public speaking, and a challenging vocabulary program.

This course is designed for the student who is working at an advanced level in the language arts. Students will complete assorted creative and expository writings, respond to prompts, and maintain a journal.

To qualify for placement into this course, students are expected to have consistently performed at the high end of standardized assessments, and performed above grade level on the district approved local assessment(s). Teacher input may also be a factor for placement in this course.

The fundamental text resources used in this course are above an eighth-grade reading level.