English

English 6

6th Grade 

English 6 is language arts and involves reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.  Throughout the year, we will study writing mechanics, usage, and grammar, as well as vocabulary. We will read novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction.  We will spend time writing analysis and a variety of other writing pieces. We will also prepare and give class presentations. Reading assignments include a variety of short stories and non-fiction texts and novels. English 6 will further empower us as readers, writers, and thinkers. Our class novels may include Aru Shah & the End of Time (Roshani Chokshi), Bud, Not Buddy (Christopher Paul Curtis), and A Long Walk to Water (Linda Sue Park). 

English 7

7th Grade

English 7 includes the essential components of language arts:  reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Units of study focus on poetry reading and analysis; parts of speech, sentence structure, and paragraph development; elements of fiction and character analysis essay writing; realistic fiction novel study and reader-response; myths, tales, legends, and creative writing; nonfiction reading and informative writing; script reading and interpretation; vocabulary study and editing exercises. Texts may include poetry selections, a collection of short stories, Downriver by Will Hobbs, works of mythology, informative articles, and The Miracle Worker by William Gibson. 

English 8

8th Grade 

English 8 encompasses all areas of language arts and involves reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.  Throughout the year, we will study writing mechanics, usage, and grammar, as well as vocabulary. We will read novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction.  We will spend time writing technical essays and a variety of other practical writing pieces. We will also prepare and give class presentations. Reading assignments may include a variety of short stories and non-fiction texts, as well as Inside Out and Back Again (Thanhha Lai), Lobizona (Romina Garber), and Where Wolves Don’t Die (Anton Treuer). English 8 will further empower us as readers, writers, and thinkers.

Reading

6th Grade

Reading 6 is a one-semester class in which all incoming sixth-grade MSA students further develop and demonstrate literacy skills that are essential to proficient readers.  

Students work daily in Lexia PowerUp in one or more strands:  word study, grammar, comprehension. These strands encourage proficiency  in reading comprehension and fluency.  Students are able to track their progress and achievement as they work through the digital curriculum. Additionally, students enjoy solving daily reading puzzles, a read-aloud class novel, and designated independent reading time.  Reading 6 is designed to make all readers stronger readers. 

Poetry

7th Grade 

Through reading, discussing, analyzing, and writing poems, students will determine what poetry, in its many forms, elements, and themes, means to them. Besides a semantic understanding of poetry, the study of sounds, images, and other poetic figurative language will enhance students’ comprehension. Students will analyze how the form and structure of poems may contribute to meaning. In addition, students will determine themes of poetry and evaluate their developments. Forms may include chorals, narratives, sonnets, villanelles, and epic poetry. Elements and themes may include enjambment, alliteration, rhyme scheme, connotation, hyperbole, humanity, and Romanticism.