English Language Arts
GRADE 6 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Code 01034G0606
In Grade 6, students think abstractly, examine and challenge the ideas of others, and expand their ability to express and justify their own points of view. The application of foundational skills and knowledge to read and respond to various types of literature from critical, digital, language, research, and vocabulary literacies build their knowledge base, strengthen existing abilities through reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Students move from concrete to abstract thinking, examine and challenge the ideas of others, and expand their ability to express and justify their own points of view. To acknowledge this transition in thinking, standards in the middle grades also transition from the earlier grades’ explicit focus on building foundational literacy skills (with concurrent emphasis on reading and writing) to the application of foundational skills and knowledge to read and respond to various types of literature.
GRADE 6 HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Code 01037HPK06
The 6th-grade Honors English/Language Arts course provides a challenging learning atmosphere that encourages students to engage more autonomously in critical thinking, both in the classroom and at home. This course will further develop students' literacy skills and their application of fundamental literacy competencies: reading techniques, analytical thinking, vocabulary development, research skills, and effective writing.
GRADE 7 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Code 01035G0707
In Grade 7, students will focus on building foundational literacy skills and knowledge to read and respond to various types of literature, build their knowledge base, and strengthen existing abilities. Students’ ability to think abstractly increases. Seventh graders continue to examine and challenge the ideas of others and expand their ability to express and justify their own points of view through reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
In Grade 7, students will focus on building foundational literacy skills and knowledge to read and respond to various types of literature, build their knowledge base, and strengthen existing abilities. Students’ ability to think abstractly increases. Seventh graders continue to examine and challenge the ideas of others and expand their ability to express and justify their own points of view through reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
GRADE 7 HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Code 01035H0707
The 7th-grade Honors Language Arts program fosters a learning environment that encourages students to engage in independent critical thinking, both in class and at home. It is also aligned with the Alabama Course of Study Standards for 7th grade. This course aids students in transitioning from a focus on foundational literacy skills to the practical application of those skills, enabling them to read and respond effectively to different types of literature.
GRADE 8 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Code 01036G0808
In Grade 8, students will analyze sources of reading that span all subject areas, cultures, and formats as students begin to recognize the interconnectedness of their world. These texts also become sources for research. Students in the middle level begin to discern the validity and credibility of information, as well as the importance of employing that discernment in today’s world. Students also learn the importance of citing their sources to acknowledge the work of other academics and to build their own credibility as researchers and writers. Writing in the middle grades becomes more rigorous as the emphasis on organization and textual evidence becomes a daily requirement. Writing is fostered and sustained by both shorter pieces of writing and longer, more challenging works. Students hone their vocabulary literacy by paying attention to connotative meanings, understanding their audience, and their academic and domain-specific vocabulary. They also continue to develop their language and grammar skills as they review foundational knowledge and build upon it with new concepts in their writing through reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
GRADE 8 HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Code 01036H0808
The 8th-grade Honors English/Language Arts course creates a challenging environment for the advanced students. Students are encouraged to think critically and work more independently, both in the classroom and at home. Grounded in the Alabama Course of Study for English Language Arts, this curriculum focuses on the intensive analysis of diverse texts, the establishment of connections through reading various literary works, the engagement in the writing process across multiple formats, and the cultivation of digital citizenship skills.