Language Arts

In seventh grade language arts, students do the following by quarter:

• Quarter 1: Examine short story elements in addition to reading a variety of short stories. Write personal narratives that include literary elements.

• Quarter 2: Study the five structures of nonfiction text by reading and writing short samples of each. Produce an informational writing piece that reflects one of the five text structures.

• Quarter 3: Continue to explore nonfiction text, learn research skills, and create an argumentative writing project.

• Quarter 4: Examine how historical nonfiction texts and historical fiction blend. Read a variety of fiction and nonfiction text and evaluate how authors influence and alter history.

In addition to the target skills above, students will be selecting their own trade books to read in and outside of class. Besides reading, students will complete various written responses that connect in-class learning with their outside reading. Finally, language skills are also taught and reinforced throughout the school year.

Length: 2 semesters/every other day

In eighth grade language arts, students do the following by quarter:

• Quarter 1: Analyze various literary elements in short stories and novels. Write a short story or narrative that correctly utilizes literary devices.

• Quarter 2: Read, annotate, analyze, and respond to informational text, specifically current events. Apply research skills to informational writing and produce an informative current events multimedia project.

• Quarter 3: Develop research questions for inquiry. Create research claims and write a research-based argumentative essay.

• Quarter 4: Read and analyze choice literary texts and compare them to filmed or live productions. Review various grammar, usage, and punctuation skills.

The Common Core skills mentioned above represent a sampling of the eighth grade curriculum. Besides these, students are expected to challenge themselves by selecting quality literature to read in and outside of class. Similar to seventh grade, students will be critically analyzing their self-selected books in different written formats. Finally, language skills are taught throughout the year, primarily in conjunction with student writing.

Length: 2 semesters/every other day

Recommendation: This course will be designed for students who excel in English--specifically those who love to read and write and those with strong language skills. Seventh-grade teachers will recommend students although there will be no prerequisite requirements.

Course Content: The Compacted ELA 8-9 course is designed to offer a rigorous challenge to students who excel in English. This course will provide students with elements of the ELA 8 course as well as the Advanced English 9 course. Students will read and analyze texts from different genres, including short stories, novels, drama, poetry, and informational texts. The literature will serve as a catalyst for much of the writing students complete, including essays, narratives, various argumentative pieces, and informational research-based texts. Students will also study more advanced language skills related to grammar, conventions, and usage. In addition to the core English skills, students will have frequent public speaking opportunities and Socratic discussion experiences.

Seventh-grade teachers will recommend students for this course which will provide a more deep, rigorous English experience; however, any seventh grade student may enroll in the course. It is recommended that parents seriously consider the teacher recommendation before enrolling their child in this course. The ELA course sequence from grade 8 through 12 is contained in Appendix A.

Course Activities: The course will provide a variety of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language activities and tasks.

Length: 2 semesters/every other day

This course is a required reading intervention for grade 7 and grade 8 students who are not performing at the proficient level.