Middle School Curriculum Posts

The Middle School English program is focused on the writing, reading, and oral expression competency that are necessary for solid language development and communication in an ever-changing world. Reading and writing are essential learning tools across all disciplines, and the cornerstones for developing human empathy and character. Reading is the vehicle for expanding one's worldview, and writing communicates that reflective and critical thinking process. Beyond this, reading and writing should be enjoyable and aesthetic, not just a means for sharing and receiving ideas. The Middle School English department helps to prepare students for success both in and out of the classroom because advanced reading and writing are essential life skills, not just academic skills.

Our program provides students with choices in their reading and writing whenever possible; by utilizing reading and writing workshops throughout our curriculum, students develop as a community of habitual readers, with conscious reading identities that use thoughtful, authentic writing to reflect their intellectual growth.  

Students demonstrate reading comprehension through writing and common assessments, including oral and media presentations, as well as small and large-group discussions. 

Students read multiple text in genres like contemporary fiction, historical fiction, realistic fiction, and nonfiction. Reading comprehension strategies are taught both explicitly and implicitly in order to provide students with a range of skills that are transferable to all genres and prepare students for analysis of a diverse literary canon. 

Students also explore various writing genres such as analytical, argumentative, narrative, poetry, and informative forms. Communicating critical thinking and logical development of thought into a clear, organized written form is a paramount expectation of the Middle School English program.