Language Arts Curriculum Grade 6-12

  • Language Arts

    “All true literature rises from this childish, hopeful certainty that all people resemble each other.”
    Orhan Pamuk 1952–  Turkish novelist: My Father's Suitcase: the Nobel Lecture (2006)

    The Language Arts Department is committed to helping all students develop the healthy habit of reading, writing, and communicating effectively.  As lifelong learners, students  will use these healthy habits to think critically about everything they read, see, and hear, and will be empowered to effectively express themselves.

    We believe that:

    • The enjoyable habit of reading can happen at any age.
    • Language Arts fosters positive relationships among students, teachers and our community.
    • Language Arts encourages students to create community by experiences and hearing from multiple perspectives.
    • Language Arts creates a culture where students feel successful in all areas of literacy: reading, writing, speaking and listening. 

    We are committed to:

    • Helping students find something they want to read
    • Helping students develop deeper questions that lead to inspiring discussions
    • Creating a safe environment for all to share their thoughts and opinions
    • Providing the tools for success in literacy 

    Minnesota high school students are required to have four years of Language Arts courses in literature, writing and communications. Ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students participate in yearlong Language Arts courses that meet this requirement. All students have the option of taking honors courses in their respective years. Students in grade 12 choose elective courses in literature, writing and communication. AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition are yearlong options for eleventh and twelvth grade students. All courses are standards-based and seek to help students develop a love for literature, writing and communication.

    English Language Arts 6-8

    At the middle level, students receive a concentrated focus on reading and writing skills. They improve their reading strategies such as predicting, visualizing, connecting, questioning, clarifying and evaluation through using Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, COLLECTIONS. This modern and comprehensive textbook series has a literature component, Close Reading practice book,  and a writing book focused on developing an argumentative essay, an informative essay and a literary analysis. Throughout the English Language Arts program, students work with computer programs such as word processing, PowerPoint and desktop publishing. Reading progress is monitored using STAR assessment given in the fall, winter and spring. Teachers may also use Six Minute Solution as a way of developing and practicing reading fluency. Some language arts classes may be co-taught with an English language teacher or a special education teacher. All junior high language arts teachers are committed to helping their students find books that are enjoyable to read, and therefore help foster the idea of reading for pleasure.