ELA 6-8 — In compliance with the New York State Next Generation Standards, the English Language Arts curriculum has a heavy focus on reading and writing that will prepare students for entry into the next grade level. Everything assigned in ELA is designed to prepare students to perform their best on assessments and to be successful in their current and future academics.

Over the course of the year, students explore literature through various genres including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students learn how to use active reading strategies and annotation to read a text closely and accurately. Each student is required to read independently and record their books on Accelerated Reader. Reading outside of the classroom helps students to improve comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and writing skills. In addition to the major units of literature, we also learn new vocabulary by determining meaning through context clues as well as Greek and Latin root words. Students use the writing process to brainstorm, plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish their work. This process helps students to hone their skills as a writer through various styles including expository, argumentative, and narrative essays. We strive to improve grammar skills within our writing by practicing skills on the website No Red Ink. 

ELA 6 

• Unit 1: Elements of Fiction in Short Stories
  • Writing Task: Personal Narrative
• Unit 2: Novel Study—Freak the Mighty
  • Writing Task: Argumentative Essay
• Unit 3: Memoirs and Nonfiction
  • Writing Task: Research a Person of Influence
• Unit 4: Novel Study—A Single Shard
  • Writing Task: Literary Analysis Essay
• Unit 5: Poetry as Self-Expression
  • Writing Task: Write poetry in various styles and assemble into a portfolio

ELA 7

• Unit 1: Elements of Fiction in Short Stories
  • Writing Task: Personal Narrative
• Unit 2: Novel Study—The Outsiders
  • Writing Task: Argumentative Essay
• Unit 3: Science Fiction and Nonfiction
  • Writing Task: Research and Present an Argument 
• Unit 4: Novel Study—A Long Walk to Water
  • Writing Task: Literary Analysis Essay and Two-Voice Poem
• Unit 5: Poetry and Research
  • Writing Task: Research a famous poet and analyze one of their poems 

ELA 8

• Unit 1: Elements of Fiction in Short Stories
  • Writing Task: Personal Narrative
• Unit 2: Novel Study—To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Writing Task: Argumentative Essay
• Unit 3: Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl 
  • Writing Task: Found Poem and Holocaust Independent Reading Project
• Unit 4: Novel Study—Inside Out & Back Again
  • Writing Task: Refugee Experience Essay
• Unit 5: Elements of Persuasion
  • Writing Task: Google Slides Research Presentation