English/Language Arts Program

In Grade 6, most students enroll in Digital Literacy 6 (regardless of whether they are in either an on-level or advanced class). Students who require more intensive reading instruction enroll in either System 44 or the READ 180 program. In all of these classes, teachers explicitly teach students reading strategies that they can then apply to all of their other subjects. Some students who have consistently demonstrated advanced reading skills opt to take Spanish or French in lieu of taking a reading class in 6th grade. It is strongly suggested that students meet or exceed their grade level MAP-R benchmark score in order to enroll in a world language course.

In Grades 7 and 8, students who demonstrate the need for continued reading support enroll in a System 44, READ 180, or Digital Literacy 2/3 Intermediate reading class.

In English 6, students will work with the Grade 6 Core ELA curriculum in StudySync. This course integrates the five English/language arts processes (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing) and the two contents (language and literature) in a thematic organization of six units. Rigor and challenge are essential components of the instructional approach to English 6, and instruction in reading and writing strategies, grammar, and vocabulary is embedded in every unit. Students read, analyze, and study different genres related to each of the themes and complete required common tasks. The common tasks focus primarily on the writing process for three types of writing—argument, narrative, and informative/ explanatory—and they include the use of information, word processing, and presentation technology to address a variety of language skills. In English 7, students will build on their experiences in English 6, involving greater rigor and challenge in the instructional approach to the study of English. Students in English 7 examine language and literature in the context of the challenges people face. Students read, analyze, and study different genres related to each of the themes and complete required common tasks. Core texts include multicultural, contemporary, and classic titles. In English 8, students will be participating in a new curriculum roll-out which has already been implemented throughout Montgomery County with grades 6 and 7. There will be several thematic units (paced evenly throughout the course of four quarters) which integrate the processes of close reading, writing, critical thinking, speaking, listening, and viewing through the study of language and literature. Similar to the curriculum in grades 6 and 7, students will be building on their reading, analyzing, critical thinking and writing skills. It builds on the students’ experiences in English 7, involving greater rigor and challenge in the instructional approach to the study of English. Students will continue to read, analyze, and study different genres related to each of the themes and complete required common tasks.

Students in all three grade levels enroll in an on-level or Advanced English class.