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Middle School

Specials

Middle School Language Arts

Language Arts in the Middle School consists of literature, vocabulary, spelling, writing, grammar, and oral language. Students study these subjects daily in a ninety minute “Language Arts Block”. They may work independently, with a partner, or in a small group. Reading various genres from their literature books enables students to think critically about essays, short stories and poetry. They also use these selections as models for their own writing. Literary magazines bring contemporary literature, especially those selections by student authors, to the classroom.

Students read age appropriate novels throughout the year to reinforce their ability to read longer selections and to begin to appreciate the styles of different authors. Voyages in English is the textbook that sixth, seventh, and eighth graders use for the study of grammar and writing. They learn to use the parts of speech correctly, as well as to write well-constructed sentences, paragraphs, and essays. Spelling and vocabulary are presented in Vocabulary Workshop, a textbook which requires students to pronounce and use challenging words correctly. Whenever possible, concepts in Language Arts are connected to ideas and themes in religion, science, social studies, math, and the arts.

T1: All grades are reviewing their novels for the summer reading test. New novels will begin next month. (Letters will be coming home.)

All grades will work on study skills in Advisory and in specific subject areas.

All grades will learn words from the Vocabulary Workshop book, using them in their writing assignments.

6th grade will study nouns, sentence structure and writing a well-constructed paragraph.

7th grade will study verbs, sentence structure and writing paragraphs and short essays.

8th grade will study verbs, sentence structure, and writing longer essays.