The goal of the Language Arts Department is to increase student reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the following ways:

WRITING
Writing will be taught as a process, including pre-writing, drafting, revision, editing and publication. The students will be taught to write a 5-paragraph essay.

Genres may include short story, literary evaluation, interview, journal, persuasive, narrative responses, observation, research report, and poetry.

Spelling, vocabulary, grammar and mechanics are taught in direct lessons and through the writing process. Texts include McDougall- Littell’s The Writer’s Craft, Wordskills, and Language Network as well as Houghton-Mifflin’s Spelling and Vocabulary.

Portfolios are kept with selections from Language Arts and other curricular areas.

LITERATURE
The textbook is McDougall-Littell’s The Language of Literature.

Elements studied include character, setting, plot, point of view and theme

Self-selected books are read outside of class, such as Accelerated Reader

Students keep double-entry reading journals.

ORAL LANGUAGE
Individual and small group presentations, interviews, skits, discussions,
speeches, and group work can be used in this area.