Middle School

English

The emphasis placed on reading, writing, speaking, and listening is designed to further competence in communicating, thinking, and understanding. The writing process and graphic organizers are used as tools to facilitate effective written communication. Students analyze purpose and interpret meaning in literature. Grammar and usage are taught in context so that students might write with increasing levels of precision and understand more fully the variety and complexity of written and spoken language. Students are given extensive practice in public speaking and oral presentation.

 

Grade Six

Introduction to Literary Genres
* summer reading and writing activities * realistic fiction * historical fiction * non-fiction * biography * science fiction * poetry structures * Novel Units: *reading response questions * creative extension activities * critique of authors’ styles * class discussions and oral presentations * literature elements: characters, plot, conflict *

Book Groups
* unit proposal * daily agenda * bulletin board projects * final project: oral presentation, visual representation, and written description *

Memoir Writing
* writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing * story structure * reflective memoir style * stupendous story starters * titles with teeth * exploding moments *

Critics’ Corner
* genre-specific guided reading * literary essay * book talk *

Vocabulary
* learns at appropriate categories of challenge * workbook exercises * study skills * quizzes *

Resources: Guiding Readers and Writers, Gr. 3-6, Fountas and Pinnell, 2001  * In the Middle, Nanci Atwell * The Art of Teaching Writing, Lucy Caulkins, 1986 * Wordly-Wise 3000, Books 4, 6, 9 * Rules of the Game, Page, Guthrie, & Sable, 1993 * Grammar Works!, Scholastic, 1996 * Write Source 2000: A Guide to Writing *

Novels read in the past: The Giver, Lois Lowry * Between the Eagle and the Dragon, Mical Schneider * Nothing But the Truth, Avi * Shabanu, Suzanne Fisher Staples *