English Language Arts

Welcome to English Language Arts

“Where the Focus is on the Child"

Curriculum Focus

Throughout their four years at Cass Junior High School, in English Language Arts classes, students diligently work on improving their reading and writing skills. Literature instruction involves reading from different genres and discussing plot structure, literary concepts, devices, techniques and themes. Selections are derived from both award-winning young adult literature and the classics. Students practice skills in grammar, sentence structure, variety, usage, spelling, vocabulary development and mechanics through literature responses, essays and journals. Reading and writing help students to develop as independent, literate individuals to guide them as they progress through Cass Junior High School.

Classroom Resources

Fifth Grade Overview

Fifth Grade English Language Arts

Welcome to Fifth Grade English Language Arts. The English Language Arts curriculum explores a variety of literary genres, which complements many of the units studied in Science and Social Science. Some of the units included are short stories, novel studies, poetry, non-fiction, drama and independent reading. Throughout the year students will be working on improving their use of grammar within writing. This curriculum provides a review of the central concepts of grammar such as sentence structure, capitalization, sentence variety, figurative language, dialogue and point of view, as well as introduces new and more complex theories. In addition, the Fifth Grade writing program covers a variety of genres, including diagnostic, explanatory, argumentative, and narrative writing. One of the most important goals of this program is to prepare students for the next phase of the writing process as they move through Cass Junior High; therefore, students will be writing on a daily basis.

Sixth Grade Overview

Sixth Grade English Language Arts

Writing is a process in which proficiency develops through practice. The Language Arts curriculum in Sixth Grade works to integrate the instruction and practice of grammar and usage skills into structured writing activities. Through sentences, paragraphs, creative writing and essays, we utilize instructional strategies designed to develop focus, organization, elaboration, support, style, word choice, sentence fluency, coherence, cohesion, conventions and voice. Overall, students write in a variety of modes for a variety of purposes.

Seventh Grade Overview

Seventh Grade English Language Arts

In Seventh Grade English Language Arts, one of the most important goals is to prepare students for their future endeavors in literature and writing by incorporating these skills on a daily basis. Students work on higher level thinking skills by analyzing, evaluating and making connections to text. The study of grammar reinforces previously learned skills while introducing new and more complex theories, which are used to advance student writing. A variety of writing genres are covered, with an emphasis on expository and argumentative writing as aligned to Common Core Standards. Beginning in Seventh Grade, the English Language Arts program features both at-level and advanced classroom instruction. Ultimately, the objective of Seventh Grade English Language Arts is to develop life-long readers and articulate communicators who will be prepared for high school, college and beyond.

Eighth Grade Overview

Eighth Grade English Language Arts

Welcome to Eighth Grade English Language Arts. Throughout the year, students will be diligently working on improving their abilities to comprehend and analyze literature, to effectively write argumentative and expository essays and to incorporate effective and appropriate use of grammar. This curriculum introduces students to a wide array of literature and writing styles and also teaches them the many crafts and tools needed to become effective and confident readers and writers. This class is designed to prepare students for their future endeavors in communicating skillfully for various purposes. Continuing in Eighth Grade, the English Language Arts program provides instruction for both at-level and advanced students. Teaching students to read and write effectively is the ultimate goal of the Eighth Grade instructional program.

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