English

For students who have completed or are rising 6 or 7 graders (or rising 8th graders who'd like to review), this course provides the student with a thorough review of English grammar, practice writing compositions (with special attention to developing effective paragraphs) and various types of speeches. Students read different works of literature, in addition to studying vocabulary and spelling. Several papers are assigned each week, from descriptions to character sketches to short stories. Though each two-week cycle will target specific components, special attention will be paid to helping students strengthen specific areas of weakness & adjust coursework as appropriate.

This course for students in grades 8 and 9 involves high-intensity instruction in which the student concentrates on review and practice of those basic skills necessary for the writing of effective sentences and for detecting and correcting common structural errors in sentences. The goal of the course is the development of the student’s ability to write acceptable high-school-level prose in unified, coherent, adequately developed expository paragraphs. This goal is reached by covering the areas of grammar, mechanics, punctuation, spelling and diction, effective sentences and finally, the paragraph. Writing assignments vary from critical to expository to creative. (Also listed for Upper School.) 

This dynamic and collaborative writing course will teach students strategies to plan, evaluate, and edit their writing, as well as to develop their personal writer's goals. Students will engage in brainstorming, peer review, workshopping, and self-assessment activities to grow as intentional and imaginative writers. Some exciting final project examples include a podcast segment, a poetry chapbook, a collection of op-eds on current events and short stories. Also listed in Upper School.