Language Arts/Reading

MN Department of Education Standards

Language Arts/Reading courses at the middle school combine the study of language and literature. The goal of the middle school language arts/reading program is to develop a learning community of readers and writers in each section of language arts/reading where each student can participate in a risk free environment. Teachers will promote learning through the use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts, small and large group discussions, and opportunities to share reading and writing. Reading strategies will be modeled and taught, and formative assessments will be utilized to record progress in reading and writing skill development.

At all grade levels, students will develop effective writing communication by utilizing the “6 + 1 Traits of Effective Writing” (Ideas and Content, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, Organization, Conventions, and Presentation). They will also receive integrated instruction in the following in order to improve their writing skills: word study (vocabulary/spelling), grammar (language usage/sentence structure) and technology.