Reflecting current research and the New Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts, the middle school District 205 English curriculum focuses on continued development of reading, writing, listening, speaking and thinking skills. Materials and activities engage students in age-appropriate study and practice in these areas:
- Fluency (in reading and writing)
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Writing
- Discussion/Presentation
English 6-8
Middle school English meets for two periods every day. The English 6-8 courses use two core texts: SpringBoard: English Textual Power and Word-Cells, plus complimentary novels. In the College Board's official pre-advanced placement program, SpringBoard, students study a concept like "change" by reading, writing, speaking, and listening for multiple purposes, audiences, and messages. Activities engage students in practicing and applying reading and writing process strategies and skills, with an emphasis on understanding and using literary elements and devices related to narration, analysis, persuasion, and argument. Using Word-Cells, students expand their vocabulary and spelling power through the study of prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
REACH English 6-8
REACH English, for verbally advanced learners, meets for two periods every day. The course uses primarily classic literature to study grade level themes. All texts are two or more years above grade level. Activities engage students in practicing and applying reading and writing process strategies and skills, with an emphasis on understanding and using advanced literary elements and devices related to narration, analysis, persuasion, and argument. Word-Cells is used for vocabulary and spelling development.
Reading Strategies
Reading Strategies is currently under construction
Word Cells Study Links
Interactive activities to help students study morphemes!
