Mission Statement Our mission is to teach our students to understand and appreciate what they read and to write and speak effectively. We study composition, literature, and grammar in balance and emphasize the relationship between these areas of study. We teach middle school students to manage time effectively, use creative strategies in learning, prepare for class and tests, complete homework assignments thoughtfully, participate in class, and work cooperatively with classmates and teachers.

Course Overviews

A Form English A Form students learn that writing is a process with steps. Our textbook, English Workshop, uses the terms prewriting, drafting, evaluating, revising, proofreading, and publishing. Though we teach this particular process and expect students to practice it occasionally, we recognize that different writers use different processes and try to help each student fine- tune his or her own writing process. We practice self- expression through narrative and descriptive writing. We read, discuss, and create poetry. Together, we read and explore novels, such as Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Park’s Quest. Individually, students choose one novel per term from the Middle School Booklist and create some sort of project or report that explores aspects of that novel. We learn various elements of literature and study plot and setting in depth. We learn vocabulary from the literature that we read and study fundamentals of grammar, such as the parts of speech, subjects and predicates, capitalization, and spelling rules. All students practice public speaking skills and participate in the Public Speaking Contest in the spring.

I Form English I Form students practice the writing process and continue to develop their writing process. We practice informing others through expository writing. Together, we read and explore novels, such as Of Mice and Men, Animal Farm and To Kill a Mockingbird. Individually, students choose one novel per term from the Middle School Booklist and create some sort of project or report that explores aspects of that novel. We learn various elements of literature and study character and theme in depth. We learn vocabulary from the literature that we read and study advanced grammatical concepts, such as complements, verbal phrases and begin the study of standard usage. All students practice public speaking skills and participate in the Public Speaking Contest in the spring.

II Form English II Form students review the writing process and develop their own writing process. Together, we read and explore various literary works, such as The Odyssey, Lord of the Flies and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Individually, students choose one novel per term from the Middle School Booklist and create some sort of project or report that explores aspects of that novel. We learn the elements of literature and study mood / atmosphere and character motivation in depth. We study vocabulary from the literature that we read and study more advanced grammatical concepts, such as clauses and agreement, and we study more sophisticated usage. All students practice public speaking skills and participate in the Public Speaking Contest in the spring.

Composition The Writing Process Brainstorming Organizing Drafting Evaluating Revising Proofreading Publishing

Elements of an Excellent Essay TitleTitle –Conveys the main point of the essay in 10 words or fewer –Find a creative way to attract the reader’s attention and interest. –Capitalize the first letter of the first word and all important words that follow.

Elements of an Excellent Essay IntroductionIntroduction –Begin with a sentence that captures the reader’s attention. –Give background information on the topic. –Enhance the paragraph with an interesting example, surprising statistic, or other “hook.” –Include a thesis statement.

Elements of an Excellent Essay Thesis StatementThesis Statement –States the main idea of the essay. –More general than the supporting details. –May mention the main point of each of the body paragraphs.

Elements of an Excellent Essay Body Paragraphs 1, 2, & 3Body Paragraphs 1, 2, & 3 –Begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph. –Fill with well organized examples, quotations, comparisons, analogies, and / or narration. –May end with a transition.

Elements of an Excellent Essay ConclusionConclusion –“Echo” the thesis statement without simply restating it. –May pose a question for future thought or suggest a course of action. –May include a detail or example from the introduction to “tie-up” the essay. –End with a strong image or a bit of wit.

Writing Guidelines Write with… –Strong Purpose –Clear Organization –Meaningful Details –Appropriate Voice and Tone –Proper Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

Literature

Elements of a Story Setting Mood / Atmosphere Plot Characterization Motivation Theme

Grammar,Usage, and Mechanics “Like everything metaphysical the harmony between thought and reality is to be found in the grammar of the language.” Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951)

Grammar “You can be a little ungrammatical if you come from the right part of the country.” Robert Frost (1874–1963) We teach our students about the eight parts of speech, complements, phrases, and clauses. The goal is to empower them with tools to strengthen their writing.

Usage “As far as I’m concerned, “whom” is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.” Calvin Trillin (b. 1935)

Mechanics “Commas in The New Yorker fall with the precision of knives in a circus act, outlining the victim.” E. B. White (1899–1985)