MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

In the Middle School, language classes meet twice a day with the same teacher. Remediation of language deficits is conducted within this small group of no more than eight students. Students are directly taught the structure of language to improve their reading, writing, comprehension, and communication skills. New skills are practiced with teacher guidance, and students are expected to master these skills for independent application. Students practice reading and writing daily and learn to comprehend at the word, sentence, paragraph, and whole text levels. Students are directly taught the structure of both fiction and non-fiction text, and ample opportunities are provided to apply and reinforce this knowledge.

The Writing Center is a component of the language department. Its primary function is to foster expository writing skills in the Middle School using The Writing Process. These skills initially focus upon the formation of one paragraph compositions which evolve to three and multi-paragraphed prose. With a clear focus and objective, students write essays beginning at the sixth grade level using

• Description
• Persuasion
• Narration
• Cause and effect
• Compare/contrast

A mini research paper at the eighth grade level exposes students to this format before they leave The Carroll School.

Students whose educational and/or social progress is adversely affected by communication difficulties may be assigned to a Plus Two class, an assignment which allows for two extra language classes each week. These two classes are team-taught by the language teacher and the speech and language specialist with the expectation that skills learned are integrated and applied throughout the week. There is one Plus Two class at each of the Middle levels. Not all students with speech/language difficulties will require a "Plus" assignment. Individual needs are addressed within the classroom environment through consultation and collaboration.