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Middle School ELL Courses
Middle School ELL Courses
The goal of this middle school curriculum is to prepare learners to meet and exceed identified state standards and skills in preparation for high school. In addition, the aim is to provide continuity of instruction between schools and grades, while allowing site-based decision making at each school. As such, the emphasis is on competencies at each grade level. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening occurs at all levels and in all classes, including elective courses.
Grade 6
Grade 6
The sixth grade language arts curriculum is part of a developmental continuum that provides connected literacy experiences as an integral part of learning to communicate in a variety of ways. Students will experience a literate environment by engaging daily in speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities spanning all genres and curricular areas.
Grade 7
Grade 7
English 7 – This course emphasizes both the critical exploration of literature and the foundations of the writing process. Learners read a variety of genres and utilize basic literary terms and forms as a basis for discussion, writing topics, and models. As readers respond to literature, they measure their own experiences against those of others, connecting literature to real life, other texts, and media. Learners write for a variety of purposes and audiences, and conventions of good writing are studied and applied, such as grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and sentence and paragraph structures. Instructors are encouraged to utilize 6+1 Traits®, graphic organizers, and personalized learning strategies.
Advanced English 7 - This course emphasizes literature, writing, and critical thinking skills through a combination of essays, literature, and speaking experiences, such as formal presentations and inquiry-based discussions. This course provides a study of genres of literature and literary terms, and a variety of writing experiences, including an emphasis on the writing process and research methods. The depth and pacing will differ from English 7 in that learners will be expected to routinely work independently on self-guided assignments and explore more complex, advanced texts. Vocabulary study is derived from seventh grade foundational vocabulary, including SAT vocabulary enrichment. Instructors are encouraged to utilize 6+1 Traits®, graphic organizers, and personalized learning strategies.
Grade 8
Grade 8
English 8 – This course emphasizes both the continued development of the writing process and the critical exploration of literature. Learners read a variety of genres and utilize complex literary terms and forms as a basis for discussion, writing topics, and models. As readers respond to literature, they will continue to measure their own experiences against those of others, connecting literature to real life, other texts, and media. Learners write for a variety of purposes and authentic audiences, and conventions of good writing (such as grammar, vocabulary, spelling, sentence, and paragraph structures) are studied and applied. Instructors are encouraged to utilize strategies, such as 6+1 Trait® writing, graphic organizers , and other personalized learning strategies.
Advanced English 8 - This course emphasizes literature, writing, and critical thinking skills through a combination of essays, literature, and speaking experiences, such as formal presentations and inquiry-based discussions. This course provides an in-depth study of the genres of literature and complex literary terms, and a variety of writing experiences, including an emphasis on the writing process and advanced research methods culminating in a research paper. The depth and pacing will differ from English 8 in that learners will be expected to routinely work independently, both in and out of school, on self-guided assignments and explore more complex, advanced texts; learners will be expected to take initiative with critical analysis of these texts to form their own conclusions. Vocabulary study is derived from various works of literature, including SAT vocabulary enrichment. Instructors are encouraged to utilize 6+1 Traits®, graphic organizers, and personalized learning strategies.
Journalism and Publication – This course teaches the steps involved in publishing. Production of publications includes article writing, page layout and design, scheduling of projects, meeting deadlines, revising, and editing. Learners will explore publishing in various media.
Middle School Literature – This course focuses on the reading of various types of literature with an emphasis on reading as a process. The course will include an introduction to elements of literature, enhancement of comprehension skills, application of literature to real-life situations, and integration of reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities. It will also integrate interdisciplinary materials and nonfiction from a variety of media.
Nonfiction Forum – This course focuses on the reading of course texts and informational resources. Composition, speech, research, and aligned literature will be incorporated as components, as well as study and test-taking skills. Nonfiction Forum can be combined with other content courses, such as Social Studies or Science.
Speech and Debate – In this course learners will learn to prepare debate cases, in addition to learning the speech skills taught in the required English courses. Emphasis will be on argumentation skills and logical organization.
Speech and Drama – In this course learners prepare and deliver speeches, explore the history of theater, study parts of the physical theater, and experience the various jobs in producing and performing a play. It adds flexibility for various school schedules.
U.S. Culture and Expression – This English-elective course is designed to be taken concurrently with U.S. English I, in order to provide WIDA level 1 & 2 learners with an intensive initial environment for English language acquisition. It introduces newcomer learners to cultural values, traditions, and lifestyles in the United States, including the arenas of home, family, school, community, and the work place. ELL Program certified staff recommendation is required, and teaching assignments must be approved through the ELL program.
U.S. English I – This course uses research-based strategies to address and meet the second-language acquisition needs of Entering and Emerging (WIDA levels 1 & 2) English learners who have little to no prior knowledge of the English language. The course supports learners as they begin developing English language proficiency, with an emphasis on the phonetic sounds present in the English language, basic vocabulary needed in a school context, and the development of basic interpersonal communicative skills and life-skills. Also introduced are basic grammar skills (including parts of speech), the use of high frequency vocabulary, orientation to United States high school culture and procedures, as well as intentional and discrete focus on the four domains: writing at the sentence level; reading and comprehending simple text in English (both literary as well as expository); listening in context-rich situations and for specific information; and speaking for everyday communication. Delivery of instruction is multi-media, multi-modal, and culturally-appropriate.
EL Program certified staff recommendation is required, and teaching assignments must be approved through the ELL program. This course may fulfill 1-2 semesters of required English credits for Entering to Emerging learners, as determined by the appropriate WIDA English Language Proficiency Assessment.
U.S. English II – This differentiated course uses research-based strategies that support language acquisition to address and meet the needs of Entering and Emerging (WIDA levels 1 & 2) English learners who continue to need instruction at the Emerging level of English Language Development. The goal of this class is to build on foundational language skills to enable learners to use English in accessing increasing amounts of grade level content. Learners will explore literature and informational text to further develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, research, technological, and media literacy skills. These skills include basic grammar skills (including parts of speech), the use of high frequency vocabulary, use of tools to create increasing competency in conventions of standard English, and orientation to United States high school culture and procedures, as well as intentional and discrete focus on the four domains incorporating grade level skills/ competencies and content area vocabulary: writing at the sentence and paragraph level; reading and comprehending simple text in English (both literary as well as expository); listening in context-rich situations and for specific information; and speaking for everyday communication. Learners will also participate in class discussions, oral presentations, and group projects. Delivery of instruction is multi-media, multi-modal, and culturally-appropriate.
ELL Program certified staff recommendation is required, and teaching assignments must be approved through the ELL program. This course may fulfill 1-2 semesters of required English credits for Entering to Emerging learners, as determined by the appropriate WIDA English Language Proficiency Assessment.
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