English Language Arts

Creative Writing 6 provides a supportive framework for young writers to explore self-expression and meaning-making through writing. The course emphasizes increasing engagement, independence, and volume of writing across a variety of genres. Students experiment with narrative, poetry, and personal reflection while learning foundational techniques such as idea generation, voice development, and revision. Through guided practice and peer collaboration, students build confidence and fluency as creative communicators.

Creative Writing 7 builds on the foundational skills developed in sixth grade, encouraging students to deepen their craft and expand their creative range. Students explore genre conventions, experiment with structure and style, and refine their use of literary devices. The course emphasizes purposeful writing, peer feedback, and revision strategies to support growth in voice and technique. Students produce polished pieces in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and begin to consider audience and publication as part of the creative process.

Creative Writing 8 challenges students to refine their writing through advanced techniques and sustained creative projects. Students analyze mentor texts, explore the composing processes of professional writers, and apply these insights to their own work. Emphasis is placed on revision, voice, and thematic development across genres. Students produce a portfolio of polished writing and may contribute to school publications or participate in writing contests. This course prepares students for high school-level creative writing and fosters confidence as independent, expressive writers.

The sixth-grade course employs the key literacy routines of daily, low-stakes writing, self-selected independent reading, understanding, and analyzing nonfiction through the article of the week protocol, and collaboration throughout the entire year. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives, descriptions, and explanations, with attention to composition and style as well as sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. Students will also participate in shared reading of texts and media from multiple genres and eras, with opportunities to compare texts written on a similar topic. The student will begin the study of word origins and continue vocabulary development using words culled from the texts they are reading. With a focus on applying reading strategies to monitor comprehension and consideration of text features and organizational patterns, students will independently read fiction and non-fiction texts with opportunities to read at grade level. Students will be aware of the consequences of plagiarism and begin to give credit to all sources used, demonstrating responsible use of the internet.

In addition to the core experiences and outcomes from Language Arts 6, students in Extended ELA will be invited to consider, create, and analyze texts and media with more complexity, depth, and levels of independence. Students will engage in a close reading of diverse, relevant fiction and non-fiction texts and media, which will be selected with consideration of the multiple levels of complexity including Lexile, structure, knowledge demands, and levels of meaning/purpose and in consideration of the maturity level of students. Students may also be invited to explore and create texts and media by considering the progressive complexity and depth of knowledge evident in 7th grade skills and academic language.

The seventh-grade course employs the key literacy routines of daily, low-stakes writing, self-selected independent reading, understanding, and analyzing nonfiction through the article of the week protocol, and collaboration throughout the entire year. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit compositions with an emphasis on expository and persuasive writing. Students will also participate in shared reading of texts and media from multiple genres, eras, and perspectives with an opportunity to compare texts written on a similar topic. The student will continue the study of word origins and vocabulary development using words culled from the texts they are reading, while beginning to identify connotative meanings of words. With a focus on applying reading strategies to monitor comprehension and consideration of the impact of word choice, imagery, and literary devices, students will independently read fiction and non-fiction texts with opportunities to read at grade level. Students will be aware of the consequences of plagiarism and begin to give credit to all sources used, demonstrating responsible use of the internet.

In addition to the core experiences and outcomes from Language Arts 7, students in Extended ELA will be invited to consider, create, and analyze texts and media with more complexity, depth, and levels of independence. Students will engage in a close reading of diverse, relevant fiction and non-fiction texts and media, which will be selected with consideration of the multiple levels of complexity including Lexile, structure, knowledge demands, and levels of meaning/purpose and in consideration of the maturity level of students. Students may also be invited to explore and create texts and media by considering the progressive complexity and depth of knowledge evident in 8th grade skills and academic language.

The eighth-grade course employs the key literacy routines of daily, low-stakes writing, self-selected independent reading, understanding and analyzing nonfiction through the article of the week protocol, and collaboration throughout the entire year. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit compositions with an emphasis on expository and persuasive writing. Students will also participate in shared reading of texts and media from multiple genres, eras, and perspectives with an opportunity to analyze texts written on a similar topic. The student will continue the study of word origins and vocabulary development using words culled from the texts they are reading, with attention to connotations and figurative language. With a focus on applying reading strategies to monitor comprehension and analysis, students will independently read fiction and non-fiction texts with opportunities to read at grade level. Students will be aware of the consequences of plagiarism and begin to give credit to all sources used using a standard format (such as MLA or APA), demonstrating responsible use of the internet.

In addition to the core experiences and outcomes from Language Arts 8, students in Extended ELA will be invited to consider, create, and analyze texts and media with more complexity, depth, and levels of independence. Students will engage in a close reading of diverse, relevant fiction and non-fiction texts and media, which will be selected with consideration of the multiple levels of complexity including Lexile, structure, knowledge demands, and levels of meaning/purpose and in consideration of the maturity level of students. Students may also be invited to explore and create texts and media by considering the progressive complexity and depth of knowledge evident in 9th grade skills and academic language.

This English Language Arts elective offers targeted support for middle school students by strengthening literacy skills through cross-curricular connections. Aligned with grade-level pacing guides in science and social studies, and integrating skills from math and computer science, the course helps students build comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical thinking across subjects. Students explore core content through the lens of ELA, developing transferable skills that enhance performance in all academic areas. Ideal for learners needing reinforcement in reading, writing, or content-area understanding based on SOL data.

This English Language Arts elective offers targeted support for middle school students by strengthening literacy skills through cross-curricular connections. Aligned with grade-level pacing guides in science and social studies, and integrating skills from math and computer science, the course helps students build comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical thinking across subjects. Students explore core content through the lens of ELA, developing transferable skills that enhance performance in all academic areas. Ideal for learners needing reinforcement in reading, writing, or content-area understanding based on SOL data.

This English Language Arts elective offers targeted support for middle school students by strengthening literacy skills through cross-curricular connections. Aligned with grade-level pacing guides in science and social studies, and integrating skills from math and computer science, the course helps students build comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical thinking across subjects. Students explore core content through the lens of ELA, developing transferable skills that enhance performance in all academic areas. Ideal for learners needing reinforcement in reading, writing, or content-area understanding based on SOL data.

English Language Arts 6 provides students with a comprehensive foundation in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research aligned with the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning. Students read and analyze a variety of literary and informational texts to build comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Writing instruction focuses on narrative, expository, and persuasive forms, with an emphasis on organization, clarity, and grammar. Students engage in collaborative discussions, oral presentations, and multimodal communication to strengthen their expressive abilities. Research and media literacy are introduced through guided inquiry projects. This course supports students in becoming confident, independent readers and writers.

Language Arts 6 Extended offers an enriched and accelerated version of the sixth-grade curriculum for students who demonstrate advanced literacy skills. Aligned with the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning, this course provides deeper exploration of complex texts and more sophisticated writing tasks. Students engage in critical analysis, creative expression, and independent research, with increased expectations for academic discourse and self-directed learning. The extended format allows for greater depth in literary interpretation, vocabulary development, and multimodal communication. This course prepares students for advanced English coursework and fosters intellectual curiosity and academic independence.

English Language Arts 7 continues the development of literacy skills aligned with the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning. Students read and analyze increasingly complex literary and informational texts to strengthen comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking. Writing instruction focuses on narrative, expository, and argumentative forms, with attention to organization, clarity, and grammar. Students engage in collaborative discussions, oral presentations, and multimodal communication to express ideas effectively. Research and media literacy are expanded through inquiry-based projects. This course supports students in becoming thoughtful readers and confident writers prepared for the academic demands of middle school.

Language Arts 7 Extended offers an enriched and accelerated curriculum for students demonstrating advanced literacy skills. Aligned with the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning, this course provides deeper analysis of complex texts and more sophisticated writing tasks. Students explore literary elements, rhetorical techniques, and author’s craft across genres, while developing voice and style in their own writing. Emphasis is placed on independent inquiry, academic discourse, and multimodal communication. The extended format allows for greater depth, creativity, and critical engagement, preparing students for honors and advanced coursework in high school.

English Language Arts 8 prepares students for high school-level literacy through continued development of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research skills aligned with the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning. Students analyze a variety of literary and informational texts, focusing on theme, structure, and author’s purpose. Writing instruction emphasizes narrative, analytical, and persuasive forms, with refinement of grammar, usage, and style. Students participate in collaborative discussions and presentations, and conduct research using credible sources. This course supports students in becoming independent thinkers and effective communicators ready for the transition to high school English.

Language Arts 8 Extended provides an advanced curriculum for students who demonstrate readiness for high school-level literacy work. Aligned with the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning, this course emphasizes critical analysis of complex texts, advanced writing techniques, and independent research. Students refine their voice and style through sustained writing projects and explore literary and rhetorical strategies used by professional authors. The extended format encourages academic independence, intellectual curiosity, and leadership in collaborative settings. This course prepares students for honors, AP, and advanced English coursework in high school.

This course is designed to support students working 3 or more years below grade level. The class will feature a workshop model with the use of an identified intervention for students to gain skillsets that are of deficit based on on-going data collection. The skills and strategies will be developed using on grade level Standards of Learning for their current grade level. Students enrolled in this course must be concurrently enrolled in a Language Arts 6 or Language Arts 7 course.

This course is designed to support students working 3 or more years below grade level. The class will feature a workshop model with the use of an identified intervention for students to gain skillsets that are of deficit based on on-going data collection. The skills and strategies will be developed using on grade level Standards of Learning for their current grade level. Students enrolled in this course must be concurrently enrolled in a Language Arts 6 or Language Arts 7 course.

This course is designed to support students working 3 or more years below grade level. The class will feature a workshop model with the use of an identified intervention for students to gain skillsets that are of deficit based on on-going data collection. The skills and strategies will be developed using on grade level Standards of Learning for their current grade level. Students enrolled in this course must be concurrently enrolled in a Language Arts 8 course.