Course Syllabus

Upper School Language Arts is comprised of 5 different elements: grammar, vocabulary, composition, reading and literature, and information and research. The upper school grammar instruction is traditional and spirals up from the lower school. Students study the parts of speech, language usage, and mechanics. The diagramming of sentences is an instrumental application for understanding sentence structure. This skill transfers to foreign language instruction as students are able to use appropriate cases and voice and recognize the order of words and their function.

Vocabulary study includes definitions of prefixes, suffixes, and root or base words. Etymology of derivatives further assist students in utilizing words or capturing the meaning through context clues. Lessons in denotation and connotation of vocabulary is essential especially as students struggle with the merge of oral and written communication today. The vocabulary program is supported with Vocabulary Workshop and the use of its technological reinforcement.

The writing process from brainstorming to a published work is utilized throughout the disciplines in Upper School. Paragraph structure and forming clear, concise sentences is emphasized. Students write pieces of various purposes and styles. A personal and creative writing style emerges as the student matures. Compositions should develop and indicate the growth of critical thinking skills as students evaluate and synthesize information.

Fifth grade reading instruction is grouped and differentiated according to level and skill. Students discuss and identify the literary elements in an appropriately leveled novel. Grades 6-8 have a novel based literature program with both classical and contemporary novels of varied genres that analyzes the work and encourages student discussion, comprehension of details, and evaluation of theme. Critical thinking skills are emphasized and reinforced with writing assignments or digital projects of varying degrees of complexity depending on the grade level.

The 21st Century student is exposed to innumerable sources of information; some of which is not reliable or valid. Students begin to understand the legitimacy of sources and information as they research across the curriculum. Additionally, students, individually and in groups, develop their own websites, utilize technology to produce videos, and create presentations. The Ware Academy experience ends in 8th grade with the culminating , interdisciplinary problem based learning project aptly named The Capstone Project.

All instruction and assignments that began with the basic fundamentals necessary as a foundation of learning become more complex and multi-faceted as students move toward 8th grade and commencement. The hallways that looked so large to a Ware preschooler transforms into an education that goes beyond the Ware walls. The ability for students to navigate secondary school and beyond with confidence and preparedness is the process that Ware embraces.