Language Arts

We offer a comprehensive language arts program in reading, writing, grammar, spelling, listening and speaking guided by the Common Core State Standards.

Grades K - 5^th

Reading Language Arts Textbook Series: Journeys, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Writing Program: Writer's Workshop, Lucy Calkins

Grades 6^th - 8^th

The middle school curriculum focuses on the four areas of grammar, vocabulary development, expository writing and literature. These areas are further enriched by an integrated approach closely linked with the social studies program and the use current technology.

Grammar skills include learning to recognize and use parts of speech, phrases and clauses, with additional focus on various types of sentence structure. Vocabulary development integrates the understanding of words based on context clues and Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes. Literary concepts such as theme, characterization, conflict, setting foreshadowing and symbolism are explored and applied during literary analysis.

Writing skills are integrated across the curriculum and a focus in language arts.

Reading selections include:

Grade 6^th

Short stories, poetry, plays, The Cay, The Egypt Game, Number the Stars, Code Talker, Maroo of the Winter Caves, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Grade 7^th

Short stories, essays, poetry, Girl Named Disaster, Tao of Pooh, The Examination, Sign of the Chrysanthemum, Avi Cross of Lead

Grade 8^th

Short stories, essays, poetry, The Crucible, Fever, Cast Two Shadows, The Giver, Ender's Game, Fallen Angels, To Kill a Mockingbird