English & Language Arts
The English and Language Arts (ELA) Department is committed to developing the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills students need to be successful in the 21st Century. The junior high courses build on the foundations of grammar and composition with an emphasis on correct and effective use of language. In grades seven and eight, along with the required English classes, the interdisciplinary team infuses language arts throughout the respective disciplines.
Students develop a life-long love of reading, participate in class discussions, have confidence with expression of views, and are challenged to write in different genres.
A student’s ELA experience will
- Enhance their reading comprehension
- Encourage critical thinking
- Foster the analysis of literature, vocabulary and word study
The writing curriculum is centered on writing to learn, to inform, to persuade, and to entertain, as students write several formal and informal essays. The vocabulary component focuses on teaching students classical roots to promote better vocabulary identification and understanding. Students are introduced to some of the world's great literature with selections chosen from all genres to acquaint them with works from many nations. Research techniques are adapted to each grade level, and students learn the skills of library research and literary criticism.