Our English program incorporates an appreciation for all genres of literature and a working knowledge and appreciation of literary devices, vocabulary, and grammar. An emphasis is placed on various authors, like Shakespeare, and various bodies of literature, like Greek mythology and the Old Testament, that have significantly influenced the western literary tradition. An appreciation of culturally diverse non-western literature, including that which is by and about women and minorities, is also stressed. Common to all grade levels is a specific approach to the study of literature that fosters careful analysis and artfully substantiated interpretation in both written and oral discussion. Skills that focus on critical and creative thinking, study and test-taking, the successful communication of ideas, the efficient use of literary resources, and effective public speaking are emphasized not only to enable a student to achieve success in the study of literature and language, but also to facilitate learning over a lifetime.

Grade 6
Students in grade six gain the skills and strategies that are necessary in the careful analysis of literature by examining myths, poetry, short stories, and the novel. The program weaves poetry throughout the year using the works of contemporary poets as well as Dickinson and Shakespeare. A unit of African American poetry includes selections by Cullen, Hughes, Angelou, and Giovanni. Free choice of materials for personal reading encourages students to become and remain life-long readers. Students have frequent opportunities to express themselves in writing during the year as they learn to discuss and interpret literature. The parts of speech and the parts of a sentence, as a means to sharpen writing skills and build an appreciation of the richness of the language, receive generous attention throughout the year as students learn to craft sentences and multi-paragraph themes with careful expression and correct grammar and word usage.

Grade 7
Seventh-grade English challenges students with a rich and diverse array of literary works and provides them with frequent opportunities to improve their written expression and discussion skills. Vocabulary building is literature-based. Students compose original short stories during the course of the year as a means for understanding dramatic structure. Writing assignments focus on the development of writing strategies (description, process, narration, and comparison/contrast). Prewriting, peer reviewing, revising, and conferencing are typical activities in the writing process. Throughout the year, an appreciation of the western literary tradition is augmented with works exploring other cultures. The thematic structure of English 7 literature encompasses the question, “Who am I within my community?” through an array of short stories, a novel, and poems by various authors from a mix of cultures. Students also read To Kill A Mockingbird, a novel that provides extensive opportunities for writing and discussion.

Grade 8
As eighth graders prepare to enter the Upper School, they review the fundamentals of grammar and learn new ones such as proper pronoun case, agreement, and parallel structure, which they apply through frequent critical and creative writing
projects. Students become more responsible for their own learning, devising essay topics and questions, and learning how to write effective thesis statements backed by persuasive textual evidence. A main goal of eighth-grade English is to produce critical, independent thinking using the student’s own voice and writing style. In addition, students do extensive work on vocabulary, and the application of literary terms such as irony, foreshadowing, conflict, point of view, tone, symbolism, and motif.