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2002 - 2003
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The English program at the middle school is designed to develop, reinforce, and refine basic skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The curriculum is composed of four components: word study, grammar, composition, and literature. An integrated approach linking listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as the use of themes that cross disciplines, enhances each student's experience in the program. The word study element is derived from the literature the students read as well as from vocabulary texts. The grammar component emphasizes the mechanics and usage which has direct application to writing. Signatures (Harcourt Brace) and Write Source 2000 are used as part of the K-8 sequence and employ an integrated approach toward teaching the structure of the English language. Writing and composition are developed through a variety of forms that include narrative stories, descriptive and expository essays, newspaper articles, research papers, book reports, poetry, letters, and dialogues. Students are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity as well as to develop unified and coherent writing styles. A process approach to writing is taught at all levels, and students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of this process through pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Activities include brainstorming, organizing, drafting, conferencing, revising, and proofreading before a work is submitted in its final form. Literature is studied through the utilization of paperback books and anthologies. The primary focus is on the short story and a core of American and foreign authors. Selected works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington Irving, Rudyard Kipling, Jack London, O. Henry, Mark Twain, and H. G. Wells are included. Students are also exposed to drama, poetry, contemporary and traditional classics in fiction and biography. The eighth grade program also introduces the students to Shakespeare. As part of their study of literature, students are also required to participate in individual reading activities and to submit book reports on a regular basis. Interpretive and analytic questioning and discussion skills are developed through literary study. Library instruction is an integral part of the English curriculum. All students receive instruction in the utilization of the automated card catalog, electronic indexes, the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, and multi-media materials. Lessons are planned cooperatively by the media specialist and the classroom teacher and are generally developed in conjunction with classroom activities. The use of computers in the middle school English program has expanded to include word processing and instructional support. Students visit the computer lab to write papers and reports. Instructional programs are also available to enhance the language arts skills of the students. There are two levels of instructional grouping
in grade eight English. Level 1 is designed for
talented and highly motivated English students.
Level 2 is designed for students who are making
normal progress in English as evidenced by
standardized test scores, teacher observations, and
school records.
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