English Language Arts
In middle school, students in English Language Arts classes will continue to develop as readers and writers. Guided by the Connecticut Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts for reading, writing, speaking/listening and language, CREC teachers employ high expectations in a supportive community. CREC Schools embrace a vision of education as a powerful engine for fulfilling our nation’s promise of equal opportunity for all.
The reading work will focus on a rich independent reading life for each student, as well as grade-level texts at the instructional level. Students tackle grade-level texts that stretch and grow their abilities, while experiencing the joy of learning from their favorite books by diverse authors. Students will develop analytical skills through their reading in a variety of genres including fiction, narrative nonfiction, informational texts, speeches, advertisements, short videos, and poetry. In writing classes, students will develop their skills as writers of informational, research, narrative, and argumentative texts. Writers will engage in the writing process from generating ideas to publishing final pieces. Students will also develop their academic vocabulary, as well as their ability to use the conventions of Standard English in order to communicate effectively.
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Courses
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Key Concepts Addressed
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Grade 6
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Reading & Writing: The reading and writing community empowers students to be responsible, self-directed learners. In addition, students will add to their academic vocabulary, as well as improving their ability to communicate effectively through oral and written language.
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Based on the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, students in grade 6 reading will:
- recognize and understand how key ideas and detials contribute to a larger idea in a variety of texts;
- Determine, analyze, and explain how craft and structure works in a text;
- Compare and contrast the experiences of reading, viewing, and listening to different types of texts;
- Read a range of texts
Based on the Common Core State Standard for English Language Arts, students in grade 6 writing will:
- Write a variety of text types for different purposes and audiences;
- Produce and publish writing through a process;
- Research to build and present knowledge
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Grade 7
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Reading & Writing: Students will further develop their skills as readers and writers through experiences with more demanding texts. Students will continue to develop skills in speaking & listening, vocabulary, and language.
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Based on the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, students in grade 7 reading will:
- recognize and understand how key ideas and details contribute to a larger idea in a variety of texts of increasing complexity
- Determine, analyze, and explain how craft and structure works in a text to create meaning;
- Compare and contrast the experiences of reading, viewing, and listening to different types of texts;
- Read a range of texts of increasing complexity.
Based on the Common Core State Standard for English Language Arts, students in grade 7 writing will:
- Write a variety of text types for different purposes and audiences;
- Produce and publish writing through a process;
- Research to build and present knowledge
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Grade 8
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Reading & Writing: Students will hone their analytical, interpretive skills in reading and writing in grade 8. They will be preparing for the academic work of high school as the year progresses.
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Based on the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, students in grade 8 reading will:
- recognize and understand how key ideas and details contribute to a larger idea in a variety of texts on the higher end of the range;
- Determine, analyze, and explain how craft and structure works in a text and how crafting choices can change meaning;
- Compare and contrast the experiences of reading, viewing, and listening to different types of texts;
- Read a range of texts on the higher end of the range.
Based on the Common Core State Standard for English Language Arts, students in grade 8 writing will:
- Write a variety of text types for different purposes and audiences;
- Produce and publish writing through a process;
- Research to build and present knowledge
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Our curriculum and instruction is built on the science of reading and the science of learning and development. Students engage in original research and deep interdisciplinary investigations, developing habits of inquiry, analysis, critical thinking, and craftsmanship. Students acquire substantive knowledge—science and social studies—as a means of building deeper literacy skills. Teachers build knowledge and skills simultaneously.
We also use blended learning in many of our ELA classrooms, which features digital and traditional instructional techniques. Students will be reading and writing every day, and through this practice, they will become stronger readers and writers. Our expectation is that every student will be prepared to read and write at grade level (or above). In addition, our goal is to promote a love of reading and writing that will serve students throughout their educational and career goals.
Classroom Materials:
- Whole class texts (short stories, poems, informational texts, and novels)
- Classroom libraries with a variety of genres & levels
- Book club books (fiction and nonfiction)
- Scholastic magazines
- NoRedInk - online grammar program
- A variety of online platforms to meet student needs and interests in reading, vocabulary, and writing
What You Can Do at Home:
The most important and effective way to support reading and writing growth is to provide time and space for your child to read and write independently for an extended period of time. Research shows that an extra ten minutes per day of reading can make a significant difference in a child’s reading success. Look for books, magazines, or other materials about topics to motivate your child to read in addition to online resources.Ask your son or daughter to set a goal for reading and writing on school breaks and summer vacations. Emphasize the joy of reading and writing; encourage children who may not love reading or writing quite yet. Keep putting books in their hands and they will discover a story that speaks to them.
- Make time for conversation at home. Discuss current events, shared interests, and future aspirations for education and career.
- Visit museums, zoos, theaters, historical sites, aquariums, and other educational places to expand your child’s exposure to new knowledge and vocabulary.
- Use technology to help build your child’s interest in reading. Access websites that allow students to read books or articles online. The computer will help with words the student cannot read independently. Libraries also have computers students can use to access those sites.
- Give your child authentic opportunities to practice conveying a message through writing (e.g. grocery or shopping lists, chore lists, messages to family members, signs, directions, keeping a journal, etc.).
- Encourage friends and family to give books or magazine subscriptions to your child as gifts.
- Involve your child in planning and researching family activities (e.g. reading recipes to plan a meal, planning a family trip, planning a home project, etc.).
Resources
Websites we use in our classrooms
- Schoology Our online learning platform
- NoRedInk An interactive grammar site that all CREC students have licenses to use
- Newsela Current events with searchable library, questions, and levelling options
- Scholastic Offers content and products for children ages 1-13+
- Common Lit Features fiction and informational texts with interactive features
Links to additional websites
Apps
- Storybuilder
- iThoughts
- World’s Worst Pet
- Goodreads
- Madlibs
- Dictionary.com
- Miss Spell
- Grammar Up!
- Painless Grammar Challenge
- Spell City
- Vocabology
- myHomework
Contact Information Sarah Fitzsimmons, Supervisor for Language Arts, [email protected]
For access to the full version of the CREC Grades 6-8 Curriculum Guide, click here.