ELA Middle School Curriculum
Boltz English Department follows the district approved curriculum, Units of Study from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University.
Our 6-8 classroom instruction structure uses reading and writing workshop model that embodies the best of educational research. Focused mini lessons engage students through modeling of strategies and skills students apply independently to their own reading and writing work. TCRWP believes that explicit instruction in reading comprehension strategies is critical for students to become skillful, analytical, independent, and lifelong readers.
Same is true for writing instruction, with emphasis on the writing process and student autonomy and purpose. Explicit instruction, small-group and individual conferencing, and an emphasis on a high volume of writing leads to better outcomes for our middle school writers.
6th Grade Units
Writing |
Reading |
|
Personal Narrative Argument/Literary Essay Characterization and theme Informational Research: Summary and Text Structures *Creative Writing and Poetry |
Choice independent Reading Up the Ladder, Social Book Clubs Deep Study of Character Short Stories Class Novels: Red Midnight by Ben Mikaelson, Nothing to Fear by Jackie Kollerfrench, Schooled/Restart & Schooled by Gordon Korman Tapping into Nonfiction: novels and articles |
Ongoing: Sentence structure, Greek/Latin roots, vocabulary in context, Personal Reading Challenge
7th Grade Units
Writing |
Reading |
Ongoing |
|
Narrative: Writing Realistic Fiction Literary Analysis: analyzing themes in a variety of texts (not UoS) Informational Research-based: Wonder Week Argumentative: The Art of Argument Poetry: Spoken Word Poetry
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Realistic Fiction: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton Investigating Characterization Book Clubs Roll of Thunder Informational: Essential Research Skills (some) Dystopia: The Giver by Lois Lowry Sci-fi/Fantasy/Dystopia Book Clubs Poetry |
Independent Reading Creative Writing Short Answer/Quality paragraph writing: claims, evidence, and reasoning Vocabulary: word parts (root words and affixes) Word Work: grammar and language study
|
8th Grade Units
Writing |
Reading |
|
Narrative: Memoir Argument: Position Paper Literary Analysis: Craft & Theme Creative Writing Poetry |
Literary Nonfiction Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction on WWII Independent Reading all-year Night by Elie Wiesel |
Vocabulary study and quizzes are ongoing all-year and connected to current units.