Welcome to the 6th-8th grade English Language Arts home page.
As you may know, the school's English Language Arts
Curriculum is based on the Newark Archdiocesan ELA Curriculum which meets or
exceeds the NJ Common Core Curriculum Standards. Middle school students make an extensive study of vocabulary, using the Sadlier Vocabulary text.
In addition, grammar is an integral part of the curriculum as is writing.
The novels we read are used to teach critical reading skills and use strategies for drawing conclusions, making inferences (reading between the lines) making predictions, questioning to understand, and connecting ("Can you relate?")
This year, we will be working with students to deepen and improve comprehension through a technique called Close Reading. This technique involves students examining important sections of selections to reach a precise understanding of the author's writing and focuses students' attention directly on the text and its details.
Some of the novels we enjoyed last year were: 6th grade- The Giver, by Lois Lowry; 7th grade- The Outsiders, by S.E.Hinton; and 8th grade- And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie. As a final project- students prepared some excellent interactive projects that reflected their deep understanding of the theme, motifs, characters and settings of each. They did a fantastic job.
All students participate in one or more service projects each year, serving a diversity of causes. Seniors, impoverished children, supporting our missionaries, cancer charities, animal shelters, and many others.
Taken altogether the total experience delivers on our school mission: To embrace, nurture, and educate all God's children preparing them for lives of service and leadership rooted in the Gospel values of faith, hope, and love.
Many thanks for all you do to help our students flourish.
My e-mail is: firstname.lastname@example.org