English Language Arts
To advance the sciences, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, the abilities to interpret and evaluate information in order to then communicate clearly and persuasively are critical. Students will strengthen their skills and knowledge of the English Language Arts throughout the utilization of the engineering design cycle, as we tackle real-world problems and discover STEAM based solutions. This will include the use of presentations, proposals, and multimedia community platforms relevant to the concepts in the ELA courses.
6th Grade
Literature to be studied will include novels, poetry, short stories, folk tales, drama, and non-fiction with the purpose of allowing students to experience and enjoy a wide variety of written materials. The novels studied focus on diversity of characters and events as well as the many ways people endure through change and conflict. Students will also review, develop, and strengthen their abilities in writing by focusing on the writing process with special emphasis on Content and Ideas, Organization, Style (COS), and Conventions (CON). Students will be introduced to the five-paragraph essay and will write using a variety of genres for a variety of purposes. Enhance reading strategies across the curriculum.
7th Grade
Literature to be studied will include novels, short-stories, poetry, and plays with literal as well as figurative journeys. Writing will reinforce skills learned in 6th grade while stressing analysis of students’ own writing and the writing of others. Instruction will focus on the writing process with emphasis on Content and Ideas, Organization, Style (COS), and Conventions (CON). Students will continue to develop their skills in writing a cohesive five-paragraph essay (narrative, informative/explanatory, and argumentative). Continue to enhance reading strategies across the curriculum.
8th Grade
Literature to be studied will include novels, short-stories, poetry, and plays about adolescents’ struggles to define themselves. Through written composition students will explore relationships between literature and their own lives. Students will discuss solutions to problems, create dialogue on paper, and write in a variety of genres using more sophisticated and appropriate Content and Ideas, Organization, Style (COS), and Conventions (CON). As they write various types of essays using all components of the writing process, students will also master the basics of the five-paragraph essay introduced and practiced in previous years. Continue to enhance reading strategies across the curriculum.