Language Arts

Our middle school students are immersed in exploring a wide variety of genres including various forms of fiction, as well as fantasy, mystery drama, satire, non-fiction, biographies, and poetry.  Students analyze the effects of literary devices, figurative language, and imagery found within literature.  Students appraise the effects of sound techniques, such as rythm, meter, alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance, and consonance in writing.  Throughout their middle school experience, students produce various forms of poetry and written prose to include pieces such as plays, and expository writing, were they examine cause and effect and the resolution of conflict within their writing.  Our students are challenged to improve the quality of their writing with each subsequent assignment.

Middle school students continue to develop their public speaking skills through individual and group project presentations, poetry readings, and oratorical contests.  Our Orton-Gillingham insturction during middle school still includes weekly dictations, however, the focus shifts to the syllabication of words.  Teaching Greek and Latin roots to our students allows them to better understand the meaning of words, and lays the groundwork for understanding more complex topics in the core area subjects, as well as future classwork in high school.  

Textbooks used:

• Sixth grade:
  • Prentice Hall Literature- Grade 6
  • Daily Reading Practice- Grade 6
  • Elements of Language- Introductory Course
  • Vocabulary Workshop- Grade 6
• Seventh grade:
  • Prentice Hall Literature- Grade 7
  • Daily Reading Practice- Grade 7
  • Elements of Language- First Course
  • Vocabulary Workshop- Grade 7
• Eighth grade:
  • Prentice Hall Literature- Grade 6
  • Daily Reading Practice- Grade 8
  • Elements of Language- Second Course
  • Vocabulary Workshop- Grade 8

• Identify the characteristics of various genres, including genres such as fiction, non-fiction, mystery, poetry, satire, biography, and allegory
• Demonstrate fluency and comprehension in silent and oral reading with grade level text
• Identify basic facts and ideas in text using specific strategies
• Analyze literary elements and the effects of literacy devices
• Read informational texts for understanding using higher level skills, such as previewing, connecting, annotating, and evaluating
• Acquire and apply vocabulary to reading comprehension and writing
• Demonstrate proficiency in capitalization, punctuation, and grammar on written pieces
• Produce effective written pieces for narrative, expository, persuasive, and argumentative writing
• Develop multi-paragraph essays which begin with a thesis and contain sub-topics which develop the thesis
• Effectively engage in small and large group discussions
• Develop and present multimedia presentations