In grades 6 – 8, students write narrative, descriptive, and expository compositions that focus on the writing process. Students plan, organize, draft, revise, and edit their papers. In addition, their literature study concentrates on fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. At all grade levels, thematic and historical units integrate skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening with special attention given to developing reading comprehension, enlarging vocabulary, improving spelling, and developing accuracy in usage and mechanics.

English 6 (11090000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: Yes
Course Description: Students plan, draft, revise, and edit their writing (i.e., narratives, descriptions, and explanations). Special attention is given to composition and style as well as sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. Whenever possible, writing is used as a tool for learning academic concepts, and available technology is used when appropriate. Students apply their knowledge of resources to select the best sources for a given purpose.
In addition, sixth-grade students participate in classroom discussions, present personal opinions, understand differing points of view, distinguish between fact and opinion, and analyze the effectiveness of group communication skills. Sixth-grade students will read classic works in addition to a variety of fiction and nonfiction, including prose and poetry. Students develop critical reading and reasoning skills to understand scientific explanations and American history texts.

 

Honors English 6 (1109H000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: Yes
Course Description: Students read, analyze, and evaluate classical and modern literature including poetry and drama. Students study literary forms and devices. The writing process is used to plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives, descriptions, and explanations. Sixth-grade honors students pay careful attention to composition, tone, voice, and the rules of standard written English. Students also are required to complete summer reading.

 

English 7 (11100000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: Yes
Course Description: Students refine composition skills with an emphasis on the writing process using a rubric with the three domains of composing, written expression, and usage/mechanics. Students study oral communication skills including the effects of verbal and nonverbal behaviors on an audience, and the impact of mass media. Vocabulary study includes figurative language. Literature study concentrates on fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

 

Honors English 7 (1110H000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: Yes
Course Description: Students refine oral communication skills and will become more knowledgeable of the effects of verbal and nonverbal behaviors in oral communication. Students continue to read a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry while becoming more independent and analytical. Students continue to refine written composition skills, with special attention to word choice, organization, style, and grammar.
Honors English 7 students explore written explanations utilizing informational writing skills, and persuasive writing. Students continue vocabulary development through a study of figurative language and continuing study of roots and affixes. Students are introduced to knowledge of the impact of media on public opinion. Students will increase proficiency in the use of print and electronic information resources and learn how to cite these resources. Students also demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. In addition, students are required to complete summer reading. Students also are required to complete summer reading.

 

English 8 (11200000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: Yes
Course Description: Students plan, research, draft, revise, and edit writing with emphasis on narratives, exposition, and persuasion. Oral communication includes the study of interviewing techniques as well as a study of the persuasive strategies used in mass media. In literature, students study literary elements found in both classic and contemporary selections, develop vocabulary, and practice reading comprehension skills such as inferring main ideas, interpreting cause-effect relationships, and drawing conclusions. Students practice both reading and writing skills through a variety of activities.

 

Honors English 8 (1120H000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: Yes
Course Description: Students plan, draft, revise and edit writing with emphasis on narratives, exposition, and persuasion. The writing process offers additional opportunities to practice advanced composition and grammar skills. Oral communication includes the study of interviewing techniques as well as study of the persuasive strategies used in mass media. In literature, students study literary elements found in both classic and contemporary selections, develop vocabulary, and practice reading comprehension skills such as inferring main ideas, interpreting cause-effect relationships, and drawing conclusions. Students also are required to complete summer reading.