JH Reading Language Arts Courses
English Language Arts
The English Language Arts and Reading standards or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) embody the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking within the context of developing and sustaining foundational language skills; comprehension; response; multiple genres; author’s purpose and craft; composition; and inquiry and research. This focus also includes academic oracy, authentic reading (including student choice), and reflective writing. As skills and knowledge are obtained, students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater depth to increasingly complex texts in multiple genres as they become self-directed, critical learners who work collaboratively while continuously using metacognitive skills. Therefore, the TEKS are vertically aligned across all secondary English courses and focus on the processes of reading and writing.
Reading Language Arts 6 (FMMS and LHMS only)
Grade: 6 Credit: 0 - full year
RISD: 1006 PEIMS: 03200510
Prerequisite: None
This course combines the study of English and reading and is a blocked (two class period) experience. Students will learn and practice reading comprehension and analysis of author’s purpose and craft through the study of theme, genre, literary texts, sensory language, and informational texts. Using the writing process, students will compose literary texts (poetry and imaginative stories), informational texts, and persuasive texts. Students will engage in a reading and writing workshop experience that includes the study of oral and written conventions, research and library skills, and teamwork.
Reading Language Arts 6 - Advanced (FMMS and LHMS only)
Grade: 6 Credit: 0 - full year
RISD: 1077 PEIMS: 03200510
Prerequisite: None
This course combines the study of English and reading and is a blocked (two class period) experience. It is designed for students who have an interest in and aptitude for advanced reading and writing instruction. Students will engage in reading and writing workshops and learn through the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking with increasing complexity and nuance. Using the writing process, students will compose literary texts, informational texts, and persuasive texts. Students will learn and practice reading comprehension through the study of theme, genre, literary texts, sensory language, and informational texts at greater depth and sophistication. Writing will include the use of writing conventions with fluency and providing justification for positions.
Reading Language Arts 6 GT - Advanced (FMMS and LHMS only)
Grade: 6 Credit: 0 - full year
RISD: 1077G PEIMS: 03200510
Prerequisite: None
This course combines the study of English and reading and is a blocked (two class period) experience. Advanced 6 GT is an advanced course for students who have qualified for GT Reading and Language Arts. Students work with teacher oversight and feedback; based on learning intentions. Students propose their own task or assignment on a frequent basis. Students will use the writing process, compose literary texts, informational texts, and persuasive texts. Students will learn and practice reading comprehension through the study of theme, genre, literary texts, sensory language, and informational texts at greater depth and sophistication. Writing will include using writing conventions with fluency, providing justification for positions, reflecting with connection to self, and providing multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Reading Language Arts 7
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1002 PEIMS: 03200540
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
The knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and Reading are integrated and progressive with students continuing to develop knowledge and skills with increased complexity and nuance in order to think critically. 7th grade specific content, skills, and processes include but are not limited to: inferring multiple themes within and across texts, analyzing how characters’ qualities influence events and resolution of conflict, identifying an author’s claim, intended audience, and craft as to how an author uses various types of evidence and considers alternatives to the support of an argument, and revising drafts for clarity, development, organization, style, word choice, and sentence variety. Advanced courses focus intently on preparing students for a successful transition to college readiness courses and college success.
Reading Language Arts 7 - Advanced
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1113 PEIMS: 03200540
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
UIL Exempt Course
QP-5
The knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and Reading are integrated and progressive with students continuing to develop knowledge and skills with increased complexity and nuance in order to think critically. 7th grade specific content, skills, and processes include but are not limited to: inferring multiple themes within and across texts, analyzing how characters’ qualities influence events and resolution of conflict, identifying an author’s claim, intended audience, and craft as to how an author uses various types of evidence and considers alternatives to the support of an
argument, and revising drafts for clarity, development, organization, style, word choice, and sentence variety. Advanced courses focus intently on preparing students for a successful transition to college readiness courses and college success.
Reading Language Arts 7 GT - Advanced
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1113G PEIMS: 03200540
Prerequisite: Identified GT humanities
Endorsement: None
UIL Exempt Course
While exploring the connections between Texas history, art, music and literature, students will experience innovative instruction that encourages advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, creative interpretation and expression, and advanced oral, written and presentation skills. Students will be given opportunities for self-directed study and research.
Reading Language Arts 8
Grade: 8 Credit: 0
RISD: 1005 PEIMS: 03200550
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
The knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and Reading are integrated and progressive with students continuing to develop knowledge and skills with increased complexity and nuance in order to think critically. 8th grade specific content, skills, and processes include but are not limited to: analyzing how themes are developed through the interaction of characters and events, analyzing non-linear plot development such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, subplots, and parallel plot structures, identifying an author’s claim and analyzing the argument, counter argument, and intended audience, revising drafts for clarity, development organization, style word choice, and sentence variety.
Reading Language Arts 8 - Advanced
Grade: 8 Credit: 0
RISD: 1116 PEIMS: 03200550
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
UIL Exempt Course
The knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and Reading are integrated and progressive
with students continuing to develop knowledge and skills with increased complexity and nuance
to think critically. 8th grade specific content, skills, and processes include but are not limited to: analyzing how themes are developed through the interaction of characters and events, analyzing non-linear plot development such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, subplots, and
parallel plot structures, identifying an author’s claim and analyzing the argument, counter argument, and intended audience, revising drafts for clarity, development organization, style word choice, and sentence variety. Advanced courses focus intently on preparing students for a successful transition to college readiness courses and college success.
Reading Language Arts 8 GT - Advanced
Grade: 8 Credit: 0
RISD: 1116G PEIMS: 03200550
Prerequisite: Identified GT humanities
Endorsement: None
UIL Exempt Course
GT Advanced 8th grade English allows students further opportunities for self-directed study and advanced research and expository writing. Through innovative instruction, students will draw on prior knowledge to increase in critical thinking and problem solving skills, and will develop advanced oral, written and visual presentation skills. Students will be able to make connections between US History, art, music and literature.
Newcomer Language Arts 7
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1163 PEIMS: 03200520
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
Immigrant students acquire English language and literacy skills through a language based curriculum in this integrated Language Arts block. This program is exclusively for recently arrived immigrant students at the beginning levels of English proficiency.
Newcomer Language Arts 8
Grade: 8 Credit: 0
RISD: 1164 PEIMS: 03200530
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
Immigrant students acquire English language and literacy skills through a language based curriculum in this integrated Language Arts block. This program is exclusively for recently arrived immigrant students at the beginning levels of English proficiency.
ESL Language Arts 7
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1061 PEIMS: 03200400
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
Students in years two or three and at the beginning or intermediate levels of English proficiency develop literacy skills in English through intensive instruction provided by ESL certified teachers trained in language acquisition and strategies for English Language Learners. Students participate in all the content of Language Arts 7.
ESL Language Arts 8
Grade: 8 Credit: 0
RISD:1063 PEIMS: 03200500
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
Students in years two or three and at the beginning or intermediate levels of English proficiency develop literacy skills in English through intensive instruction by ESL certified teachers trained in language acquisition and strategies for English Language Learners. Students participate in all the content of Language Arts 8.
Reading and Speech Courses
Academic Literacy 7
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1509 PEIMS: 82910150
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
This course is intended to supplement rigorous classroom instruction. The goal of this course is to support all students who are exhibiting deficiencies reading grade-level material. This course is intended to accelerate reading growth to move students from below grade level to grade level readers. Students may be exited at semester upon attainment of grade level reading proficiency.
Academic Literacy 8
Grade: 8 Credit: 0
RISD: 1510 PEIMS: 83000110
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
This course is intended to supplement rigorous classroom instruction. The goal of this course is to support all students who are exhibiting deficiencies reading grade-level material. This course is intended to accelerate reading growth to move students from below grade level to grade level readers. Students may be exited at semester upon attainment of grade level reading proficiency.
Language Science
Grade: 7, 8 Credit: 0
RISD: 1531 – 7th PEIMS: 82910131
1537 – 8th 83000137
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
(This course could take multiple years to complete depending on student progression through the curriculum.)
This course is designed to provide remediation for students who have been identified with dyslexia under the Texas Dyslexia Law. This course provides a proven approach to teaching reading, spelling, and handwriting to students who require a structured, multisensory presentation. Reliable reading and spelling patterns in the English Language are taught using multisensory discovery techniques that are intensive, systematic, and sequential.
Academic Literacy for ESL 7
Grade: 7 Credit: 0
RISD: 1568 PEIMS: 03273420
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
ESL Academic Literacy Lab serves as an elective course for Newcomer and/or Beginner students that focus on language acquisition and second language development. This is a self-paced course that meets the students on their current level and accelerates their learning based on individual pathways. Instruction in this course utilizes the blended classroom model to ensure that students receive opportunities to target individual needs.
Leadership 1 - 7-8
Grade: 7, 8 Credit: 1
RISD: 1600 PEIMS: 03241200
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
Forest Meadow Junior High and Westwood Junior High Math, Science, and Leadership Magnet ONLY
Students learn life-long leadership skills in a hands-on setting. The initial focus is on the individual; this is followed by team building, goal setting, planning, motivation, organizational skills, self-awareness, and decision-making. Seventh graders apply leadership theory on school, local, and state issues. Service projects enhance the hands-on approach to learning leadership theory. This course satisfies an elective credit for high school graduation.
Leadership 2 - 8
Grade: 8 Credit: 1
RISD: CT1613 PEIMS: 13009900
Prerequisite: Leadership 7
Endorsement: A&H, STEM, PS
Westwood Junior High Math, Science, and Leadership Magnet
Students learn life-long leadership skills in a hands-on setting. The initial focus is on the individual; this is followed by team building, goal setting, planning, motivation, organizational skills, self-awareness, and decision-making. Eighth graders apply leadership theory to national and global issues, while integrating speech communication strategies into the public sphere of leadership. Service projects enhance the hands-on approach to learning leadership theory. This course satisfies Professional Communications credit for high school graduation.
Academic Literacy Lab for ESL 8
Grade: 7-8 Credit: 0 - full year
RISD: PEIMS: 03273430
Prerequisite: None
Endorsement: None
ESL Academic Literacy Lab serves as an elective course for Newcomer and/or Beginner students that focuses on language acquisition and second language development. This is a self-paced course that meets the students on their current level and accelerates their learning based on individual pathways. Instruction in this course utilizes the blended classroom model to ensure that students receive opportunities to target individual needs.