Middle School (6th - 8th grade) ELA Course Descriptions

Grades 6-8 Newcomers

Students in the ELL Newcomers classroom will receive all core instruction in the Newcomers classroom. Students will be included in regular education PRIME TIME, exploratory classes, and lunch time. ELL teachers will work with regular education teachers to coordinate any other appropriate regular classroom learning opportunities and field trip experiences for ELL students.

Newcomers instruction in grades 6-8 will focus on oral and written language development through immersing students in content and language. Students will receive balanced literacy reading and writing instruction, including word study, read aloud, reading skills instruction, guided reading, shared reading, reading fluency practice, and writing process and trait instruction. Daily speaking opportunities will be planned for students to use the English language in relation to reading and writing content. Student learning connected to content study such as social studies and science will be used for language experience reading and writing instruction. Math instruction will focus on developing an understanding of basic math concepts as students are immersed in and use the language of math, utilizing Trail Blazers grade 5 instructional resources.

Because all ELL instruction will focus on both content and language development and students will be in the ELL classroom for most of the day, teachers will organize instruction in ways most beneficial to student learning. It will not be necessary to divide ELL instruction into 45 to 90 minute blocks of time. Nor will it be necessary to use 45 minutes of the instructional day for an enrichment or team time class period as the regular education middle school schedule provides.

Grades 6-8 Transition

Students in the 6-8 Transition classroom will receive 180 minutes of ELL instruction in the ELL classroom. They will attend regular education mathematics, PRIME TIME, exploratory and lunch.

Transition instruction will focus on further development of oral and written language skills. Balanced literacy instruction will include word study, read aloud, reading skills instruction, shared reading, guided reading, reading fluency practice, and writing process and traits instruction. Students will receive direct instruction on specific reading and writing skills, followed by an immediate opportunity for application. Social studies or science content may be embedded in reading and writing instruction. Spelling instruction will incorporate use of high frequency words as the core of word study, utilizing the Sitton Spelling Sourcebook 2 words.

Grades 6-8 Pullout

Pullout instruction will focus on reading and writing instruction to bring students' skills up to grade level proficiency. Students will receive direct instruction on specific reading and writing skills, followed by an immediate opportunity for application. Balanced literacy instruction will include word study, read aloud, reading skills instruction, shared reading, guided reading, reading fluency practice, and writing process and traits instruction. Social studies content will be embedded in reading and writing instruction. Spelling instruction will incorporate use of high frequency words as the core of word study, utilizing the Siton Spelling Sourcebook 3 or 4 words.