Monarch K-8 Language Arts/Reading
Grades 6, 7, 8
Middle School Language Arts Overview
The overriding philosophy that drives the writing portion of the language arts curriculum centers around creating writers who have a solid command of the English language. Each grade level addresses the basics of English including spelling, vocabulary, and grammar usage. Additionally, each grade level addresses the writing process in a developmental framework, each grade level taking this process a bit further.
All grades incorporate the following basics into their individual programs:
- Spelling
- Vocabulary
- Grammar Usage
- Punctuation/Capitalization
- Sentence Structure
- Paragraph Structure
- Essay Structure
- Speaking/Listening
- 6 Trait Instruction
Each individual grade level builds on concepts and skills learned in previous grades:
|
Topic |
6th Grade |
7th Grade |
8th Grade |
| Expository Writing |
|
- 8 sentence paragraphs
- Persuasive Writing
- Explanatory Writing
- Essay Answers
- Summaries
- Compare/Contrast Writings
- Research Projects
|
- 8-14 Sentence Paragraphs
- Powers (writing concisely)
- 5 paragraph Essay
- Essay Answers
- R.A.F.T.S (Role, Audience, Format, Topic, Strong Emotion/Verbs)
- Advanced Research Project
|
| Research Skills |
- Working knowledge of library
- Graphic Organizers
- Limited Note Taking
- Summarizing
- Bibliography form
- Application of Research in Project Format
- Using Table of Contents, Index
- Glossary, Heading, Atlas, and Almanacs
|
- Note Taking
- Summarizing
- Thesis Statements
- Outlining
- Source Work
- Source Cards
- bibliography
- Intro and Conclusion Paragraphs
|
- Utilization of Non-traditional Sources
- Locating Specific Information
- Selecting Topics/Developing
- Hypotheses for Research and Presentation
- Utilizing and Expanding Bibliography Skills Learned in 7th grade
|
| Narrative Writing |
- Personal Narratives
- Information narrations
- Journal writing
- Letter Writing
|
- Personal Narratives
- Friendly Letters
- Journal Writing
|
|
| Descriptive Writing |
|
|
|
| Poetry |
|
|
|
| Fictional Writing |
- Mysteries
- Fables
- Myths
- Fairy Tales
- Dramatic Pieces
|
|
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| Speaking/Listening |
- Oral Presentations
- Class Discussions
- Other Speaking Exercises
|
- Oral Presentations
- Class Discussions
- Other Speaking Exercises
|
- Further Development of Oral communication
- Class Discussions
- Other Speaking Exercises
|
The overriding philosophy that drives the reading portion of the language arts curriculum is that the connection between reading and writing is invaluable. At Monarch K-8, the reading curriculum incorporates the reading of individual novels and class novels with the types of writing cited above. Each grade level studies various genres and independent reading. Creating lifelong readers is stressed throughout the grades. Below are the various genres studied at each grade level.
6th Grade – Mystery, Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy, Short Stories, Poetry,
Drama.
7th Grade – Fantasy, Newberry and ALA Awards and Honors, Classics, Adventure, Historical
Fiction, Drama, Biography, Autobiography, Short Stories.
8th Grade – U.S. Historical Fiction/Non-Fiction Correlating with U.S. Society, Drama, Poetry.
6TH GRADE READING
6th grade reading is tied into the academic content standards for language arts in the Boulder Valley Public Schools. A separate reading class allows for ample opportunity to master skills in reading fiction and nonfiction works.
Skills covered in reading:
- Explaining the purpose of reading and adjusting reading rate for reading fiction and nonfiction
- Selecting and practicing appropriate reading strategies by using the following: previewing, practicing, skimming/scanning, pausing, consulting other sources, note taking, etc.
- Learning strategies for developing and determining word meaning through the study of word origins,
metaphors, figurative language, idioms, analogies, and the use of dictionary and thesaurus
- Understanding of elements in different genre
- Determining author’s purpose, viewpoint, and bias in materials
- Identifying persuasive messages in print and non-print media
- Demonstrating knowledge of the elements of plot, character, setting, conflict, theme, and point of view
- Examining figurative language, basic symbolism, suspense dialogue, and dialect
- Summarizing text concisely and developing and answering questions which enrich interpretation of
the literary work
- Participating in literary discussions that go beyond the concrete level of the text