Students will read widely and deeply from a range of high-quality, increasingly challenging fiction and nonfiction from diverse cultures and time periods. Building knowledge about subjects through research projects and responding analytically to literary and informational sources will be key to students' continuing success. Students will write stories and essays that are several paragraphs long. By devoting significant time and effort to producing numerous written pieces over short and extended time frames throughout the year, they also will gain control over many conventions of grammar, usage, and punctuation as well as learn ways to make themselves understood.

Students will read deeply a range of challenging fiction and nonfiction throughout the year, building stamina, comprehension skills, and working to expand their vocabulary.  Students will write narrative, literary argument, and informational pieces. As they navigate the curriculum, they will grow their ability to collaborate with others, while also sharpening their ability to critically think and use language to communicate clearly.

Student learning will focus on the comprehension of grade level fiction and nonfiction texts by analyzing vocabulary, details, graphs, and illustrations, as well as characterization, plot, setting, and theme. Students will continue to learn and develop the conventions of grammar and sentence structures through journaling and the production of informational, comparative, and persuasive essay pieces. Students will research and collect information from reliable sources and present information to their peers. They will participate in student led discussions of both fiction and nonfiction.

Student learning will focus on the above 7th grade skills, but at a deeper, more complex level. The students will closely examine the decisions that writers, novelists, poets and playwrights make within a text as it relates to the plot, characters, setting and theme. Students can expect to actively participate in academic discussions and presentations. Honors ELA students are expected to be self-guided learners who are willing to maintain a strong work ethic and diligent study habits. Students entering this course from 6th grade will have required summer reading and writing. Please see the criteria for honors/accelerated.

This integrated course blends the analytical and expressive skills of Language Arts with the historical depth of Social Studies, creating a dynamic exploration of world history through reading, writing, speaking and collaborative discussion. Students will engage with fiction and nonfiction texts that bring ancient civilizations to life, analyzing primary and secondary sources, historical narratives, and thematic literature. By examining characterization, plot, setting, and theme within both historical, fiction, and non-fiction contexts, students will deepen their comprehension, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Through research and authentic learning practices, students will investigate significant global events, collecting and evaluating reliable sources to construct well-supported informational, comparative, and persuasive writing pieces. Student-led discussions will foster connections between the past and present, encouraging thoughtful dialogue about how geography, culture, politics, and economics have shaped civilizations. Journaling and structured writing activities will refine grammar, sentence structure, and argumentative skills while reinforcing historical understanding. This course challenges students to become insightful readers, compelling writers, and engaged citizens of the world.

 Student learning will focus on the study and reflection of major works of fiction and nonfiction that extend across cultures and centuries. As they work to understand precisely what an author or speaker is saying, students must also learn to question an author’s or speaker’s assumptions and assess the accuracy of his or her claims. They must also be able to report findings from their own research and analysis of sources in a clear manner. Finally, students need to learn to integrate good reading, writing, and speaking skills in order to create a variety of written and oral products.

Honors ELA 8 is for students on the Advanced Placement track and is designed to provide high performing students with the complexity and rigor best suited to their needs. Students who elect to enroll in this course will work with eighth grade state standards and objectives but at a deeper, more complex, and more rigorous level. The students will closely examine the decisions that writers, novelists, poets, and playwrights make within a text as they relate to plot, characters, setting, and theme. Reading and writing homework may occur nightly, as well as on the weekends.  Students will also study narrative, argument, and research writing techniques.  Students can expect to actively participate in academic discussions and make presentations. Honors ELA students are expected to be self-guided learners who are willing to maintain a strong work ethic and diligent study habits. Students entering this course from 7th grade will have required summer reading and writing. This course is honors weighted for the purposes of middle school GPA only. Please click on the tab on the main registration page to see the criteria for honors/accelerated. It is not for high school credit.  

This interdisciplinary course weaves together the power of storytelling and the complexities of history, using the study of U.S. history from European exploration through the early years of the nation through Civil War & Reconstruction as a lens for deeper literary analysis, critical thinking, and communication. Students will explore major works of fiction and nonfiction that span cultures and centuries, examining the perspectives, biases, and rhetorical strategies of authors and historical figures.

Through close reading, discussion, and authentic activities, students will analyze how geography, culture, politics, and economics have shaped the American experience, evaluating historical narratives and questioning assumptions in both literature and primary sources. Writing will be a key focus, as students craft well-supported research, argumentative, and comparative essays, integrating evidence from historical and literary texts. They will also develop and present their own ideas through structured debates, speeches, and multimedia projects. This course challenges students to become thoughtful readers, skilled writers, and engaged citizens, prepared to navigate both the complexities of history and the power of the written word.