Language Arts

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

Lower School: grades K - 5

English Language Arts: Journeys (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Middle School: grades 6 - 8

The middle school language arts curricula focuses on grammar, vocabulary development, various types of writing and literature. These areas are further enriched by an integrated approach closely linked with the social studies program.

Grammar skills that are emphasized include the recognition and use of all parts of speech, phrases and clauses, as well as the focus on 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 as part of literary analyses.

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

Reading genres include:

6th Grade

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

7th Grade

Short stories; poetry; essays; plays; novels included Girl Named Disaster; Tao of Pooh; The Examination; Sign of the Chrysanthemum; Avi:Cross of Lead

8th Grade

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