Students will strengthen their elementary literacy skills and learn to “dig deeper” when analyzing text and writing for multiple audiences. Under the theme of “Identity: Coming of Age” text selections across the genres selected, and students read, annotate and analyze for craft and meaning. Writing tasks vary in length and complexity and focus on the three major genres of narrative, argument and informational writing. Opportunities for student discourse and academic conversations present themselves during class discussions and literature circles. 

Students will build upon their grade six skills and learn to articulate their written and oral assignments with increased  idea development and sentence complexity. The theme of “Community: Establishing your Place and Perspective” is echoed throughout the short story, poetry, novel and nonfiction selections that are read through a critical lens so students can translate the craft into their own writing. 

In preparation for high school, the written research experience and oral Socratic Seminars are embedded in the curriculum. Students continue to be encouraged to take risks, embrace multiple viewpoints, read with a critical lens, speak with confidence and write for a variety of purposes. Careful selection of fiction and nonfiction texts are aligned to the theme of “ Society: Understanding your Voice and Responding to Conflict”.