Curriculum - English Language Arts

NOTE:  Skills listed below do increase in complexity and difficulty each year either in the challenge of the text being read and analyzed or the interpretations/conclusions students are asked to support.  In addition, the fine and performing art skills that students learn in those classes are utilized in English Language Arts as choices they can make to share their understanding of a variety of texts.  We also partner with the Writers in the Schools Program put on by Seattle Arts and Lectures every year which is supported by our PTSA.  In this program, we have current Seattle Poets and Graphic Novelists/Cartoonists come in for 10 weeks and work with our students in creative writing where they integrate their visual arts skills and their writing skills.

6th Grade Amplify and supplemental materials including, but not limited to, novel studies, Writing Pathways by Lucy Calkins, Writers in the Schools Partnership for creative writing skill development.

Novels and Texts explored:

Dhal and Narrative

Mysteries and Investigations

The Chocolate Collections

The Greeks

The Summer of Mariposas

• Skill Development
  • Reading at grade level and beyond when appropriate for the student
  • Develop the skills to identify details, that when pieced together, result in the reader drawing a conclusion about the text.
  • Writing a claim about a piece of text and justifying that claim with specific text evidence.
  • Creating works of poetry and narrative writing using words and images to convey an idea.
  • Writing a basic five paragraph essay to inform and to argue a perspective such as in a literary analysis paper.
  • Continue to develop understanding of grammar and usage in the English Language.
  • Begin to work on learning how to accurately cite a source using MLA 8 format as determined by LWSD.
  • Engage in discussions with classmates and teachers utilizing active listening skills and thoughtful word choice to enhance everyone's understanding of information.

7th Grade Amplify and supplemental materials including, but not limited to, novel studies, Writing Pathways by Lucy Calkins, Writers in the Schools Partnership for creative writing skill development.

Novel and Texts Explored:

Red Scarf Girl and Narrative

Character and Conflict

Brain Science

Poetry and Poe

The Frida and Diego Collection

The Gold Rush Collection

• Skill Development
  • Reading at grade level and beyond when appropriate for the student
  • Develop the skills to identify details, that when pieced together, result in the reader drawing a conclusion about the text.
  • Writing a claim about a piece of text and justifying that claim with specific text evidence.
  • Creating works of poetry and narrative writing using words and images to convey an idea.
  • Writing a basic five paragraph essay to inform and to argue a perspective such as in a literary analysis paper.
  • Continue to develop understanding of grammar and usage in the English Language.
  • Begin to work on learning how to accurately cite a source using MLA 8 format as determined by LWSD
  • Engage in discussions with classmates and teachers utilizing active listening skills and thoughtful word choice to enhance everyone's understanding of information.

8th Grade Amplify and supplemental materials including, but not limited to, novel studies, Writing Pathways by Lucy Calkins, Writers in the Schools Partnership for creative writing skill development.

Novels and Texts Explored:

Perspective and Narrative

Liberty and Equity

Science and Science Fiction – Frankenstein

The Holocaust: Memory and Meaning

The Space Race Collection

Romeo and Juliet

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

• Skill Development
  • Reading at grade level and beyond when appropriate for the student
  • Develop the skills to identify details, that when pieced together, result in the reader drawing a conclusion about the text.
  • Writing a claim about a piece of text and justifying that claim with specific text evidence.
  • Creating works of poetry and narrative writing using words and images to convey an idea.
  • Writing a basic five paragraph essay to inform and to argue a perspective such as in a literary analysis paper.
  • Continue to develop understanding of grammar and usage in the English Language.
  • Begin to work on learning how to accurately cite a source using MLA 8 format as determined by LWSD
  • Engage in discussions with classmates and teachers utilizing active listening skills and thoughtful word choice to enhance everyone's understanding of information.