Overview

English/Language Arts is comprised of four components, (reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar), that students build on throughout their three years in middle school. Students learn to comprehend and analyze a wide array of novels and course readings. They develop their oral communication skills through classroom discussion, debate, and projects. Written communication skills are refined through constant implementation of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. 

Focus

• Literature: Novels are carefully selected to best suit the developmental and academic needs of the students at their particular grade level. They utilize comprehension strategies in order to analyze the text, make inferences, compare/contrast, and respond through discussion, writing, and presentations. The rigor of skills and strategies used deepends as students progress through the middle school curriculum and are immersed in a wide range of literary and informational texts. 
• Writing: All students embark on a journey through the writing process, which builds in rigor and structure from one grade level to the next in preparation for real-world experiences. Students learn and develop techniques in descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing.  
• Grammar/Vocabulary: Grammar and mechanics of the English language, along with a strong vocabulary serve as the foundation of what makes a successful communicator. Students will work through various exercises in order to build these skills, and then incorporate them into their written and oral communication.