Grade 6 

The writing program used is Into Literature by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Types of writing may include narratives, arguments, and informative writing as well as other skills such as how to answer essay questions, how to cite evidence, how to cite sources, journal prompts, and how to research a topic. Creative writing projects such as poetry and media presentations are incorporated using google slides. In addition, the 5 paragraph essay is introduced. The 5 steps of the writing process are taught to ensure a well-written, well- organized and coherent final product. All assignments encompass the writing standards according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Grade 7 

The writing program used is Into Literature by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Types of writing may include narratives, arguments, and informative writing as well as other skills such as how to answer essay questions, how to cite evidence, how to cite sources, journal prompts, and how to research a topic. Creative writing projects such as poetry and media presentations are

incorporated using google slides. In addition, the 5 paragraph essay is introduced. The 5 steps of the writing process are taught to ensure a well-written, well- organized and coherent final product. All assignments encompass the writing standards according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Grade 8

The writing program used is Into Literature by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Types of writing may include narratives, arguments, and informative writing as well as other skills such as how to answer essay questions, how to cite evidence, how to cite sources, journal prompts, and how to research a topic. Creative writing projects such as poetry and media presentations are incorporated using google slides. In addition, the 5 paragraph essay is introduced. The 5 steps of the writing process are taught to ensure a well-written, well- organized and coherent final product. All assignments encompass the writing standards according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Grade 6 

The reading curriculum for 6th grade is a combination of a textbook and novel-based studies. Entitled Into Literature by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the textbook is a compilation of short stories, novel excerpts, informational text, and poetry. There is also a software component to the curriculum, HMH Ed, that is used as a supplement. Each chapter in the textbook consists of lessons to teach how to annotate text, analyze figurative language, how to answer essay questions that show depth of knowledge as well as a project that may be a writing piece, a media presentation, a podcast, or other creative way to synthesize the information learned in the chapter. Each unit contains an essential question that the pieces are focused on. Assessments may include chapter tests or projects, formal essays or creative writing assignments. Two novels taught are I Am Malala by Malala Yousufzai and Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson. The novels taught can change from year to year. All assignments encompass the reading standards according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Grade 7 

The reading program in 7th grade is taught via the textbook entitled Into Literature by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. There is also a software program, HMH Ed, used as a supplement. Novels are also read periodically throughout the year. The reading selections in each unit connect to a theme and encompass many genres including novel excerpts, short stories, myths, poems and history writing (nonfiction text). Each chapter includes “signposts” or how to annotate text, a writing component which can be anything from an argument essay to a poem, speaking and listening skills where students make class presentations, vocabulary studying Latin/Greek roots as well as language conventions. Assessments may include chapter tests or projects, formal essays or creative writing assignments. Two novels taught are The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare and Restart by Gordon Korman. Novels can change from year to year. Novels can change from year to year. All assignments encompass reading standards according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Grade 8 

The reading program for Grade 8 utilizes the textbook, Into Literature by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Also used is HMH Ed, a software program used as a supplement to the text. Novels are also read periodically throughout the year. The textbook has 5 units, all with a theme. The reading selections in each unit connect to that theme and encompass many genres including novel excerpts, short stories, poems and nonfiction text. Each chapter includes “signposts” or how to annotate text, a writing component which can be anything from an argument essay to a poem, speaking and listening skills where students make class presentations, vocabulary studying Latin/Greek roots as well as language conventions. Assessments may include chapter tests or projects, formal essays or creative writing assignments..Two novels taught are The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Spear and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Novels can change from year to year. All assignments encompass the reading standards according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks