Reading / Language Arts

RELA Department Chair:

Shercora Parker 

6th Grade:

• Lametra Israel
• Lakeema Moore

7th Grade:

• Morgan Powell
• Melanie Wright

8th Grade:

• Stacy Gatling
• Shercora Parker

Overview:

This course is designed to prepare all students to be on track for college and career readiness by the time they graduate from high school. All lessons are aligned to the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards for English Language Arts. The standards establish guidelines for English Language Arts teachers to ensure students at each grade level are taught the necessary skills to become critical readers and writers.

In this course, students will be required to read a variety of complex texts including stories, literature, and informational texts that provide facts and background knowledge on topics related to science and social studies. They will be asked questions that require them to refer back to what they have read and support their interpretations with reasoning and evidence from the text. Students will also be required to write for a variety of purposes such as analysis, narration and argument. They will also engage in collaborative conversations with peers and demonstrate a command of formal English both in writing and speaking. They will also participate in quarterly book clubs and cumulative projects based on quarterly themes. These expectations will develop the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills every student needs to be a literate person who is prepared for success in the 21s t century.

Each student is expected to complete independent assignments and projects as well as at least 30 minutes of reading daily.

Goals:

Students will:

• Read a balance of informational and literary texts.
• Read complex text from a variety of topics such as science and social studies.
• Read text that will increase in complexity.
• Gather and cite text evidence to engage in rich and rigorous conversations and written responses about text.
• Write using multiple sources to build logical arguments, compose papers of literary analysis, and construct text-based narratives.
• Use grammar and conventions, writing strategies, and all aspects of foundational academic vocabulary skills effectively when writing and speaking.

Grading:

Middle Grades Reading/English Language Arts (6-8)

Overview: The goal of grading and reporting is to provide the students with feedback that reflects their understanding and application of Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards for English Language Arts found in the Reading/English Language Arts Curriculum Framework Progress Guide.