The Middle School reading program is designed to expose students to a rich and broad body of literature. Our program includes works in poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, essay, diaries/journals, short stories, and plays. The program presents a full range of human emotion, mood, and perspective: comedy, satire, tragedy, and romance. Selections are chosen for diversity: representing male and female authors, ethnic and racial groups, and classic and contemporary selections.
At TCPS we place quite an emphasis on the process of writing: brainstorming, prewriting, first drafts, editing and rewrites, proofing, and final draft. The rewriting and refining stage of writing is not always enjoyable or easy for students. I try to underscore the importance of the whole process by requiring students to include all steps of the writing (the brainstorming work and all drafts with hand-written changes and corrections) when turning in the final product. Most of our writing is done in class so that I can guide and evaluate each student.
This year we are going to use the vocabulary program called Wordly Wise. It emphasizes learning and using words in context and introduces several meanings of the word. In addition to in-depth discussions about how and when to use each word, we will incorporate learning games and activities. At the end of each semester, the students will take a final exam not only to ensure review, but also provide the students with the experience of studying for and taking a final exam.
Making inferences
Character analysis/point of view
Plot elements
Theme
Introduction to dystopian fiction
Informational text
Introduction to Shakespeare
Greek mythology
The Hero's Journey
Essential research skills
"Big Report" - writing to inform
The writing process
Introduction to literary analysis
Parts of speech + conventions
Communication to a group
Introduction to Latin/Greek roots, suffixes, prefixes
Character and conflict
Author's purpose
Elements of literature
Literary analysis - short stories
Symbolism - book clubs
Text structure: nonfiction, poetry, drama
Shakespearean text
Elizabethan/Renaissance Faire
Art of the argument
Poetry - text structures
Developing a narrative
Informational/expository
Literary analysis
Conventions
Presentation techniques
Academic vocabulary
Depth of study: literary elements
Literary nonfiction
Classics - book clubs
Graphic novels for social change
Poetry analysis
Shakespearean text and themes
Cultural implications of literature
Deeper study of literary characteristics
Memoirs
Poetry
Informational/expository
Depth in narrative writing
Crafting a speech
Writing to persuade/PSAs
Comparative analysis of literature
Forms of presentation
Academic vocabulary
Word origin