English Classes
Elementary Language Arts part of Foundations Class not a stand alone class.
Teachers:
Kindergarten ~ Melody Hamby
1st-2nd Grade ~ Emily Hopple
3rd-4th Grade ~ Heidi Oswalt
5th-6th Grade ~ Cherri Locke
Materials: The Well Trained Mind, First Language Lessons. Phonics Included.
“First Language Lessons” and “Writing with Ease” by Jesse Wise and Susan Wise Bauer focus on building a strong foundation in the correct and skilled use of language. The goals of this curriculum series include practicing the sound of properly spoken language, training students to speak in a grammatically correct way, developing comprehension and attention skills by having students listen to stories and retell them and teaching students to use correct grammar in their writing. Students practice these skills through copying, dictation, recitation and memorization utilizing content that is interesting, enjoyable, and engaging. Lessons become increasingly complex as basic skills are mastered and become automatic.
“Institute for Excellence in Writing” by Andrew Pudewa. IEW’s unique approach provides the structure to move students from imitation to innovation in all types of writing. Students develop confidence in the speaking and writing process while gradually working toward greater independence and creativity.
Teacher: Michelle Payne
Prerequisite: This course is on a 2-year rotation, so students can take it two years in a row. It will give students the tools and techniques that they need to write strong summaries, strong five-paragraph essays, and other writing fundamentals. Also in this course, students will receive a book list of books to read, works of literature, develop writing skills using IEW techniques, practice grammar by examining grammatical concepts in their writing, and expand their vocabulary through the introduction of new words, which will be used in their writing. This course will also involve speaking and listening skills. Students will gain a solid foundation for future learning in language arts.
Teacher: Robin Rowe
Suggested Grade Level: 9th-10th. This class introduces students to creative writing through the study of classic short stories. Using Words Aptly Spoken as a primary text, students explore how great authors create narratives by using elements like theme, foreshadowing, character development, and plot structure. By studying these techniques, students build their own writing skills and will practice the art of storytelling by writing two original short stories using their imagination, creativity, and the tools they have learned.
Teacher: Robin Rowe
Suggested Grade Level: 11th-12th. Students will analyze classic works of literature while building their skills in persuasive and research writing. First semester, students will learn to write strong thesis statements and develop the art of persuasive writing, while studying literary devices authors use to create effective storytelling. Second semester, students focus on research writing by learning how to find reliable sources, organize their ideas, and write clear, well-supported papers.