English

English 6

6th Grade

English 6 will consist of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will be reading novels, short stories, and nonfiction, creating book projects, working on technical and creative writing assignments, as well as editing and revising other writings. This class will also include vocabulary, grammar, writing mechanics, editing & revising texts, and speeches/presentations. Reading assignments may include The Witch of Blackbird Pond and various short stories.

English 7

7th Grade

Seventh grade English includes the essential components of language arts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Units of study focus on parts of speech, sentence structure, and paragraph development; elements of fiction and character analysis essay writing; realistic fiction novel reading and reader-response; nonfiction reading and informative writing; mythology study and creative writing; historical fiction reading and analysis; sustained silent reading, spelling, and vocabulary. Texts include short story selections, Downriver, The Miracle Worker, myths, tales, and legends, and The Call of the Wild.

English 8

8th Grade

English 8 encompasses all areas of language arts–reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. Throughout the year, students will become further empowered as readers, writers, and critical thinkers as they study writing mechanics, usage, and grammar, as well as vocabulary; read novels, plays, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction; write technical essays and a variety of other practical writing pieces; prepare and give class presentations; and engage in independent reading. Reading assignments include a variety of short stories and non-fiction texts, as well as The Outsiders (S. E. Hinton), Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor), The Diary of Anne Frank (Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett), and The Giver (Lois Lowry).

Literature and Composition

9th Grade

Students will be immersed in novels, short stories, and a play. They will be working on different persuasive and creative writing styles. The study of grammar and ACT level vocabulary will also add to providing the students with the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills essential for today’s students. Reading assignments may include: Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and Speak.

British and World Literature

10th Grade

This year-long course is required for all 10th grade students at MSA. Students will develop their research, synthesis, writing, and reading skills. They will read and analyze a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts, and become experts at the use of MLA format. British Literature reading assignments including Frankenstein, The Picture of Dorian Gray, romantic poetry, and a Shakespeare drama. Second semester includes the study of World Literature. Students will make a comparative study of genres and themes from different cultures and historical periods in order to heighten the student’s awareness of the international and timeless themes in literature. Reading assignments may include: Things Fall Apart, The Latehomecomer, Life of Pi, Cry the Beloved Country, Persepolis, and the curious incident of the dog in the night-time. Students will complete a formal research essay project in conjunction with their history class during second semester as well.

American Literature

11th-12th Grade

This year long course will trace the history and development of literature in America from the colonial days to the early twenty-first century. Students will have a deeper understanding of the American experience after reading text that include the Crucible, To Kill a Mockingbird, Beloved, The Great Gatsby, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Things They Carried, and others. Students will also be analyzing poetry and short stories from a variety of American authors, including works from the Harlem Renaissance and science fiction and fantasy genres.

Composition

12th Grade (semester course, offered S1)

This semester long course is designed for students to work on proofreading skills, writing for a specific audience, and the three “C’s” of technical writing (clear, concise, complete). The writing will focus on: short clear, concise, and complete pieces of writing, college essays, and presentations that effectively include text, graphics, images and sound with writing. Preference is given to 12th grade students because this is a graduation requirement course.

Research Writing

12th Grade (semester course, offered S2)

This semester course is designed to help students practice an effective research writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Students will work on developing complex sentences with grammar exercises throughout the course; also, they will write four academic essays: a persuasive essay, a how-to research paper, a narrative research paper, and a multi-genre research paper. Each research paper will be written within a creative writing format. Preference is given to 12th grade students because this is a graduation requirement course.

Reading

6th Grade

Reading 6 is a one-semester class in which MSA students further develop and demonstrate literacy skills that are essential to being proficient readers. Focus is given to word study, grammar, and comprehension.

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, rhythms, images, and other figures of speech will enhance students’ comprehension and appreciation. Students will analyze how the form and structure of poems may contribute to meaning. In addition, students will determine the themes of poetry and evaluate their developments. Forms of poetry include chorals, definition poems, narratives, sonnets, epic poetry, and villanelles. Elements and themes include enjambment, alliteration, rhyme scheme, connotation, allusion, hyperbole, messages about humanity and culture, and Romanticism.

Creative Writing

Middle School

This course explores a variety of writing modes, focusing on poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction. Students will work on revisions and editing their work as well as practice a wide range of techniques for effective writing.

Creative Writing

9th-12th Grade (semester course, offered S1)

This course explores a variety of writing modes, focusing on poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction. Students will read examples for each mode and practice a wide range of techniques for effective writing.

HS Author Focus: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

9th-12th Grade (semester course, offered S2)

This course explores Sir Arthur Conan Doyles' most famous character, Sherlock Holmes. We will read several of Doyle's most popular Sherlock stories and analyze the various adaptations of the character in different media forms since it's creation.

AP Literature and Composition

11th-12th Grade

Prerequisites: B+ or better in British World Literature and a required essay before admittance

The AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Students will be expected to complete daily reading and writing assignments as well as take several AP practice tests.