English Language Arts

During the middle years, students continue to develop 21st century competencies in the "Seven C's" - Critical thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration, Compassion, Content-mastery, and Cultural awareness -competencies that are critical to success in an increasingly interdependent world.  The English curriculum provides a scope and sequence that allows students to develop these competencies within each unit of instruction. The curriculum is common across each grade level and is aligned to the Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards.  Students incorporate the use of various forms of technology in a learner-active, technology-infused classroom structure.  In this environment, students are provided with a great deal of choice in how they approach their learning, while teachers differentiate instruction in order to meet each student's learning needs and goals.  Students acquire and apply close-reading strategies as they develop fundamental analysis skills required for success on the secondary level.  Each unit culminates in a project-based assessment that features the written modes of narration, exposition, or argument.  The NY State ELA exam is administered in April of each year.  Specific information pertaining to each English course can be found in the Nyack Middle School Program of Studies guide.