Middle School

Grade 6

The combined 6th, 7th and 8th grade curriculum represents Level I of the language. The study of a world language is spiraling, recursive, and aligned to proficiency targets. Students studying French or Spanish in 6th grade will begin their journey as Novice language learners. As Novices, students will be able to use memorized words and phrases to understand and talk about familiar topics related to school, home, and the community. Since the curriculum is focused on language learning which is meaningful, enjoyable and interactive, assessment will reflect a similar focus. Classroom instructional activities mirror assessment tasks which provide students with opportunities to demonstrate what they can do with their cultural and linguistic knowledge.

Grade 7

Students will continue their study of French or Spanish from 6th grade in order to demonstrate growth towards Novice proficiency benchmarks. In addition to using memorized words and phrases to talk about familiar topics related to school, home, and the community, students will communicate in the target language using words, lists, and simple sentences to ask and answer questions and handle simple transactions related to everyday life. They will be encouraged to use language in activities embedded in authentic, real-life, and cultural contexts which can be connected to content learned in other core areas. Instruction and assessment will be aligned to provide students opportunities to demonstrate their abilities to engage in conversation, understand and interpret spoken and written language, and recognize the perspectives of diverse cultures.

Grade 8

Students will continue their study of French or Spanish from 6th and 7th grades in order to complete Level I of the language and meet Novice proficiency benchmarks. Since the study of language is spiraling and recursive, students will continue to sharpen their skills in the three communicative modes: interpersonal (speaking & writing), interpretive (reading & listening), and presentational (speaking & writing). Students will practice using simple sentences to ask and answer questions, to handle simple transactions related to everyday life, and to talk about subject matter studied in other classes. Performance assessments will provide students opportunities to showcase these communicative skills in real-world contexts. Students will also gain an appreciation that the ability to communicate in more than one language and understand cultural differences will prepare them for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.