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English Language Arts Curriculum

Elementary Language Arts Curriculum

Primary Grades

In the primary grades, K–2, students apply knowledge of phonics when attempting to read unknown words. As students move from Kindergarten to 2nd grade, they learn to identify and apply knowledge of phonics ranging from consonant sounds, vowel sounds and irregular patterns to decode words. Students first learn to fix reading mistakes by looking at the pictures and initial and final consonants and eventually learn to use their knowledge of letter sounds, words, and sentences to read unknown words. By the end of 2nd grade, students will recognize at least 200 words automatically in text.

Students will read simple stories of fiction and informational text on familiar topics. Students learn to read text at a rate that is conversational and with expression. Students will show an their understanding of literary and informational text by summarizing, making connections between the pictures and story and identifying important facts. Students’ vocabulary will expand in all subject areas through discussion of text that they listen to or read independently. Students will learn to express their understanding of text orally and in writing.

Intermediate Grades:

At the intermediate level, grades 3–5, students will experience a wide range of reading materials. Attention is devoted to instruction of both literary and informational text. Literary text includes short stories, mysteries, realistic fiction, chapter books, fairy tales, myths, poetry and plays. Informational text study will include content related to social studies, health, and science units. Students will learn to read textbooks, biographies, online materials, functional documents such as maps, recipes, and directions. Intermediate students read silently at a good rate and automatically use a wide range of wordsolving strategies while focusing on meaning. In oral reading, students continue to read with accuracy and expression. Readers learn to adjust their rate of reading based on the type of text and their purpose for reading. Readers learn to monitor their comprehension by recognizing when they lose understanding, and are then able to apply different strategies to regain meaning. Vocabulary instruction will focus on teaching students various ways to unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words. Students will learn to express their understanding of text orally and in writing.

Secondary English Language Arts Curriculum

Middle School

Grade 6

Students learn how to make purposeful and deliberate choices when responding to diverse media and formats. Students read grade-appropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structure and content of complex, grade-appropriate text.

English 6 Units: Coming of Age, Courage, Heroes

Grade 7

Students learn how to make purposeful and deliberate choices when responding to diverse media and formats. Students proficiently read gradeappropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structure and content of complex, grade-appropriate text. English 7 students expand their understanding of argument by addressing counterclaims in written and spoken responses.

English 7 Units: Perseverance, Facing Injustice, Thrills and Chills

Grade 8

Students learn how to make purposeful and deliberate choices when responding to diverse media and formats. Students proficiently read gradeappropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structure and content of complex, grade-appropriate text.

English 8 Units: Love and Friendship, Freedom, Exploring the Unknown

Reading Modules in Middle School

Reading instruction in Howard County middle schools supports disciplinary literacy and the reading and writing standards while providing students with the skills that will enable them to thrive in a more competitive global economy.

Reading Module 6: Connections, Inventions, Taking Action, The Future of Water

Reading Module 7: The Citizen in Action, Opportunities, News Reporting, Careers, Digital Citizenship

Reading Module 8: The Future of Food, Economics in Action, Decisions, Advertising, Creating a Plan

High School

The Secondary English Language Arts program supports Goal 1 of Vision 2018: Fulfilling the Promise of Preparation as high school students come facetoface
with the reality that graduation and life after graduation is getting closer. The outcomes for student success include the following:

  • Critical readers and strategic writers who independently and effectively respond to diverse formats.
  • Effective communicators with a command of oratory, listening, and language skills.
  • An appreciation and enjoyment of diverse texts in diverse formats.

English 9 Units: Reflections: Past to Present, Dramatist as Social Commentator, Coming of Age, Imaginary Worlds

English 10 Units: Hopes and Fears, Individual and Society, The Pursuit of Power. The Hero’s Journey

English 11 Units: American Dreams: The Society; American Visions: The Individual; American Perspectives: The Challenge; American Destinies: Reality and Hope

English 12 Units: European Origins: Tensions Between Humans and the Divine; Renaissance and Beyond: Hubris, Emotions, and Reasoning; Clash of Ideologies; Modern Voices: SelfActualization