Junior High Language Arts Instrucional Focus


English 7 - Seventh grade English includes the study of literature, grammar and usage, and communication skills.  These include developing research skills and using the Six-trait; ideas and content, organization, voice, sentence fluency, word choice, and conventions.

English 8 - Eighth grade English continues refining the students' knowledge of and proficiency in literature, grammar and usage, and composition skills.  Emphasis includes increased proficiency  in the six writing traits, grammar, literacy terms, and research skills.

English 9 - Ninth grade English is a study of literature, composition, vocabulary, and grammar. The literature program includes fiction, mythology, drama and poetry.  The composition program consists chiefly of expository writing of paragraphs and short themes incorporating the six writing traits.  Work in vocabulary, grammar, dictionary and library skills, and spelling is a continuing process throughout the year.

Advanced English 9 - Advanced English Nine offers an enriched program in literature, grammar, composition, spelling and vocabulary.  Students need to have mastered the fundamentals of grammar study, basic capitalization, punctuation, and writing skills before enrolling in the course.  This is a rigorous course designed to challenge students in the study of English.

Learning Strategies 7 - Learning strategies are techniques, principles, or rules that enable students to learn to solve problems and complete tasks independently.  The Learning Strategies class is a support program that focuses primarily on improving writing and spelling skills, studying literature, completing assignments and improving social skills.

Learning Strategies 8 and 9 - Recommended students are required to enroll.  These classes build on the strategies learned in Learning Strategies/Support English 7, as well as teaching new strategies that deal with study skills and higher level writing skills.  Students will be given tutorial help with their other classes.

Junior High Reading Instructional Focus

Applied Reading 7 - This course is designed to improve the reading ability of seventh graders. Students are placed in the course by sixth grade teacher recommendatons based on their test scores and sixth grade performance.  Individualized attention will be given to student needs.

Young Adult Reading 7 - The course is required of all seventh graders who are not in Applied Reading.  This course focuses on a wide range of reading materials, fiction and non-fiction,  with an emphasis on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, literature elements, and study skills.

Applied Reading 8 and 9 - This course is required for eighth and ninth grade students who are recommended for additional instruction in reading.  The course extends the literature-based instruction offered in the seventh grade Applied Reading classes.  Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension and vocabulary development.

Communications 8 - This course is required for all eighth graders and focuses on basic communication skills that will be necessary for success in further lifetime activities.  Students will gain confidence in public speaking.  Listening and speaking skills will be addressed from the individual and group perspective.  Special attention will be given to conflict resolution techniques and dynamics of interpersonal communications.

Media in Practice 8 and 9 - The major portion of this course is yearbook production.  Students will study the basic principles of journalism that include: interviewing, copy writing, editing, photo journalism, layout, graphic design and desktop publishing.

Media Print 8 and 9 - The purpose of this course is to understand and apply the standards of good journalism through the publication of the school newspaper.  Students enrolled in this class will be responsible for content, publicaton, and general organization of the publication.