6th Grade English Language Arts 

At San Elijo Middle School, sixth grade English Language Arts classes use the curriculum in SpringBoard textbooks. Our common theme throughout the year is “Change.” The SpringBoard textbook follows a literacy workshop model, which provides opportunities for students to improve their reading and writing strategies. From this curriculum, students will learn how to make meaning from their own experiences in reading and writing. This course will allow students to read, write, think, collaborate, compose, and work in groups. Students will study a variety of authors in a variety of genres. Students will explore argumentative topics and develop researched-based assignments related to current events. There will be 6 - 8 major writing assignments given during the year on a variety of genres such as writing a personal narrative, writing a short story, responding to literature, writing an expository essay, debating a controversy, writing an argumentative letter, researching Shakespeare and performing an excerpt from Shakespeare. There will be many formative and summative assessments given throughout the year as well. Overall, students will comprehend, appreciate, and respond to diverse selections of literature, including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction and informational text.

7th Grade English Language Arts 

At San Elijo Middle School, seventh grade English Language Arts classes use the curriculum in Spring Board textbooks. Our common theme throughout the year is “Choices.” With this curriculum, students have opportunities to improve their reading and gain the tools to become better writers via a writing workshop approach. In addition, students will learn how to make meaning from their own experiences and incorporate that into their reading and writing. Students will study a variety of genres from different authors. Students will be expected to do independent reading throughout the year, choosing books that are both challenging and of high interest. Students will write in the following genres: personal narrative, literary analysis, expository essay, argumentative essay, constructed response and responses to their independent reading. Students will also conduct oral presentations as well as participate in Socratic Seminars. Formative and summative assessments are used throughout the course to determine student progress.

7th Grade English Language Arts Honors 

7th grade Honors will cover the 7th grade ELA standards based on the descriptions above with more collaborative conversations, in depth analysis of text, and higher expectations with differentiated materials. Students who select ELA Honors are committing to a year-long course that will be challenging and require perseverance. Recommendations for 7th grade ELA Honors: Lexile above 1200, excellent work habits, strong grasp of 6th grade ELA reading/writing/speaking standards as evidenced by multiple measures, and teacher recommendation. 4 

8th Grade English Language Arts 

In eighth grade, all English Language Arts classes will use Springboard, a district-approved curriculum which spans 3-4 units, each of which focus on a particular challenge of life and society. Through Springboard, eighth graders will read a variety of texts, write stories, practice arguments, produce research, and present and publish their work using technology. This course curriculum aligns with the California State Standards for Language Arts, which may be viewed on the California Department of Education website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/.