In seventh grade English, we begin the transition from elementary school to secondary school. Students learn Greek and Latin vocabulary stems through a variety of activities and games. They are introduced to the RACE (restate, answer, cite, explain) model of written response. Several opportunities for collaboration and project-based learning occur throughout the year, from group essays to author study presentations.
Students analyze theme across different medias, from text to music to poetry and even film. Novels cover a variety of genres, including titles such as The Giver, Hero, Jurassic Park, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Independent reading is an integral part of the program, and student success is acknowledged through a quarterly celebration.
Eighth grade English focuses on preparing students for the transition to high school. Students write for various purposes as they work through the writing process. Scholars construct organized expository texts that convey complex ideas and develop effective arguments using balanced reasoning and credible evidence. They practice literary analysis of both fiction and informational text. Numerous opportunities to write, debate, and participate in Socratic seminars strengthen their communication skills. Our students use technology extensively to access relevant information, build mixed-media presentations, and engage with the digital textbook. The eighth grade novels encourage awareness of civil rights, ethics, the Hero’s Journey, and literacy from Shakespeare through contemporary literature. Highlights of the year include attending a live professional performance of a Shakespeare play, experiencing the Arizona Renaissance Festival, and participating in Decades Day, a cross-curricular experiential celebration of the influential time period of the 1950s to 1980s.
