The middle school language arts program centers on effective communication skills in the form of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We explore wonder of words; their meaning, their use, their impact, their beauty, and their power. Together we practice the writing, reading, speaking and hearing of words with the ultimate goals of helping students to read critically; express their ideas clearly in oral and written form; write creatively; improve research skills; interpret and appreciate literature; and master certain components of grammar, mechanics, and punctuation. Skills students are expected to master include working cooperatively in groups; problem solving; researching & organizing information in a meaningful context; reading and comprehending, short stories, novels, poetry, historical fiction, and expository texts.

Some sixth through eighth grade middle school language arts highlights are: a poetry slam, performing in the MLK performance, “King in Montgomery”, and also in a Shakespearean play at the end of the year, attending theatre performances, and organizing a language-arts themed fundraiser.

6th Grade Language Arts
In the sixth grade the students begin with vocabulary study that includes words from upcoming novel studies and simple roots. They solidify their understanding of the basic parts of speech and the roles those parts play in sentence construction. They begin personal dictionaries for words they love, useful words, and words they find difficult to spell. They practice narrative writing, writing in response to literature, persuasive composition, speeches, poetry and informational essays. They read books of their own choosing as well as take part in all-class and small group reading circles centered on the theme Adolescents in literature - Same Feelings, Different Cultures. Possible selections include: The Giver, Hatchet, Everything on a Waffle, A Year Down Yonder, King of Shadows, Maniac MaGee, Surviving the Applewhites, and Rules.

7th Grade Language Arts
In the seventh grade, the vocabulary study continues and the students add prefixes and suffixes to the vocabulary equation. They continue to update their personal dictionaries. They begin exploring the more abstract parts of speech and begin some rudimentary sentence diagramming. They practice narrative writing, writing in response to literature, argument, process, comparison/contrast, research reports and informational essays. They write and practice the art of argument in a point/counterpoint setting. They increase their understanding of literary devices and begin more in depth literary analysis. They continue to read books of their own choosing as well as take part in all-class and small group reading circles centered on the theme, Adolescents and Identity – Who Am I Becoming? Possible selections include: The Outsiders, Red Scarf Girl, Al Capone Does My Shirts, A Time of Angels, Bud-Not Buddy, A Year Down Yonder, Walk Two Moons, The Invisible Thread, My Side of the Mountain, Hope Was Here, The Witch of Blackbird Pond.

8th Grade Language Arts
The 8th grade marks a significant transition for students as they prepare for the high school years. This year is a continuation of the process begun in the 7th grade with an emphasis on productivity, responsibility, increased independence. To this end there are more opportunities with varied styles of test and essay writing practice. They also practice narrative writing, writing in response to literature, argument, extended definition, research reports, informational essays and technical writing. They engage in formal debate and delve deeper into literary analysis with an emphasis on understanding the themes, motifs, and symbolism used by writers. They continue to read books of their own choosing as well as take part in all-class and small group reading circles centered on the theme, Adolescents – Power and Justice – What do I believe? Possible selections include: Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, Great Expectations, Animal Farm, Things Fall Apart, Catcher in the Rye, The Chosen, A Day No Pigs Would Die, Esperanza Rising, The Devil’s Arithmetic, and The Little Prince.