Language Arts

Grade Seven

Course Name Language Arts 7
Core or Elective Core
Prerequisite Language Arts 6
Texts A variety of challenging literature by authors such as S.E. Hinton, Tim Wynn-Jones, Ray Bradbury and William Shakespeare.
Course Content Overview Language Arts 7 will focus upon vocabulary, grammar skills and writing style while investigating quality works of literature in depth.  Students will explore and express themes that flow out of their readings.  They will study poetry and short stories of the teacher’s own choosing while analyzing rhetorical devices and increasing their skills in the use of literary terms.  Students will practice various styles of writing including poetry, narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive.  Skills will be developed in public speaking, dramatic interpretation and role playing.
Exams Midterm and Final worth 10%.  Study skills unit is covered in preparation.
Major assignments Major compositions, constructivist projects, class presentations.
Co- curricular activities Students are encouraged to engage in enriched activities such as novel study groups and writing for publication.

Grade Eight

Course Name Language Arts 8
Core or Elective Core
Prerequisite Language Arts 7
Texts A variety of challenging literature by authors such as John Steinbeck, George Orwell and William Shakespeare.
Course Content Overview Language Arts 8 will focus upon vocabulary, grammar skills and writing style while investigating quality works of literature in depth.  Students will explore and express themes that flow out of their readings.  An independent novel study will be assigned.  They will study poetry and short stories of the teacher’s own choosing while analyzing rhetorical devices and increasing their skills in the use of literary terms.  Students will practice various styles of writing including poetry, narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive.  Skills will be developed in public speaking, dramatic interpretation and role playing.
Exams Midterm and Final worth 10%.  Study skills unit is covered in preparation.
Major assignments Major compositions, constructivist projects, class presentations and an independent novel study.
Co- curricular activities Students are encouraged to engage in enriched activities such as novel study groups and writing for publication.

Grade Nine

Course Name Language Arts 9
Core or Elective Core
Prerequisite Language Arts 8
Texts A variety of challenging literature by authors such as S.E. Hinton, Tim Wynn-Jones, Ray Bradbury and William Shakespeare.
Course Content Overview Language Arts 8 will focus upon vocabulary, grammar skills and writing style while investigating quality works of literature in depth.  Students will explore and express themes that flow out of their readings.  A couple of independent novel studies will be assigned.  They will study poetry and short stories of the teacher’s own choosing while analyzing rhetorical devices and increasing their skills in the use of literary terms.  Students will practice various styles of writing including poetry, narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive.  Skills will be developed in public speaking, dramatic interpretation and role playing.
Exams Midterm and Final worth 10%.  Study skills unit is covered in preparation.
Major assignments Major compositions, constructivist projects, class presentations, independent novel studies.
Co- curricular activities Students are encouraged to engage in enriched activities such as novel study groups and writing for publication.