Middle School Curriculum
Language Arts The language arts program nurtures a love of reading and writing, while also giving students a comprehensive foundation in grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Because reading and writing are essential to academic success in a range of subjects, English/ language arts classes meet for an extended period of time each week. Throughout the program, concepts explored in literature are applied to the writing process in the development of both creative and expository pieces. In addition to reading literature for their courses, our students are required to read independently throughout Middle School. Teachers also collaborate with the librarians to help students develop their research skills and research projects.
Grade 5 Language Arts
Fifth-grade language arts is studied within the context of a greater humanities course. The interdisciplinary nature of language arts and social studies provides a rich educational experience that allows students to explore, analyze, and interpret literature in a historical context. Students further develop a passion for literature through studying various literary genres in detail. They learn to recognize different writing styles and literary techniques, to comprehend figures of speech, and to analyze character and plot development. Students also participate in literature circles and take turns leading small-group discussions. Students choose novels for independent reading from a classroom library that is categorized by interest and genre. Accelerated Reader, a Web-based program that integrates computer technology with reading enrichment, increases reading comprehension and monitors independent reading progress. Students engage in the writing process throughout the year, drafting book reviews, fantasy stories, persuasive essays, literary essays, and nonfiction pieces. Fifth-grade students learn to effectively review their own writing and collaborate in the peer editing process. Grammar is studied throughout the year and is integrated into writing instruction, as are spelling skills. Students study vocabulary in the context of the literature they are reading, as well as from a workbook series. Students learn to listen and speak effectively through presentations to the class and class discussions. The balanced curriculum encourages critical thinking and comprehension skills, collaboration, and a deep understanding and appreciation of literature and expression. Resources include Accelerated Reader, Grammar Workshop, and Vocabulary Workshop. Novels include Linda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, Rita Williams-Garcia’s One Crazy Summer, Linda Sue Park’s A Long Walk to Water, Karen Hesse’s Letters from Rifka, Thanhha Lai’s Inside Out and Back Again, and Pam Muñoz Ryan’s Esperanza Rising among others.
Grade 6 Language Arts
Students study a range of literary genres, including historical fiction, science fiction, and non-fiction (memoir), as well as short stories and poems. The students learn to identify literary elements and figurative language as they enhance critical-reading skills. Students learn various techniques for composing well-organized paragraphs and essays, and much of the writing is an outgrowth of the required novels and an emphasis on the GSB core values. Creative writing is further explored in narratives for interdisciplinary projects, journal writing, and poetry. As part of the coursework, students share original work and formal presentations using applications such as PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Cloud. Vocabulary is derived from literature units, a comprehensive workbook, and the study of prefix and suffix meanings. Spelling skills are reinforced through the study of commonly confused words and those most frequently misused in writing. Personal spelling lists are also differentiated for each student. Grammar lessons focus on the parts of speech, the mechanics of writing, the structural relationship between words in sentences, and direct application to student work. 26
