Language Arts includes handwriting, spelling, vocabulary, dictation, library instruction, reading comprehension, grammar and writing mechanics, and occasional journaling. Students regularly practice with attention to detail the above mentioned aspects of language arts, as well as practice putting the pieces together in regular writing. A love of language and writing is encouraged, though often through different subjects. For example, creative writing is taught in literature, while journaling without necessarily being graded for grammar happens in language arts, history, and natural history.

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Kindergarten

Texts: Handwriting our Catholic Faith; SRA Reading Mastery, Sadlier Phonics

Topics:

• Recognize, name, & write all upper & lower case letters of the alphabet

• Orally blend isolated sounds into one syllable words

• Learn word families (at, et, ot, etc.)

• Begin to recognize some common words of sight

• Use letter sounding knowledge to write simple words

• Understand and follow oral directions

• Listen to and understand fiction, non-fiction, and poetry

• Daily storytime with classic lit, fables and more

• Distinguish fantasy from realistic text

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1st Grade

Texts: Shurley English 1

Topics: 

• Proper identification and classification of sentences (diagram the various parts of a sentence).

• Early writing skills, correct grammar and punctuation.

• Daily journal writing to strengthen writing skills and sequencing. Topics include correct usage of nouns, articles, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. Common nouns and proper nouns (plural or singular).

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2nd Grade

Texts: Shurley English 2, Writing our Catholic Faith (Grade 2)

Topics:

• Reading: Through a multi-sensory method of learning, students develop strong reading skills: letters and sounds of the alphabet, letter patterns, consonant blends, vowel blends, R-controlled vowels, consonant digraphs, vowel digraphs, silent final E rules, syllables, sight words, prefixes, suffixes, and multi-syllable words. Students also read and write responses to literature in journals.

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• Grammar: Students learn the eight basic parts of speech and their uses in sentences.  The program includes the study of verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, contractions, collective nouns, possessives, different kinds of sentences and sentence structures, fragments, run-ons, complete subject and complete predicate, simple subject and simple predicate, usage, capitalization, punctuation, spelling rules,  compound words, homophones, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, and analogies.

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• Writing: Students write paragraphs, narratives, and essays using the Writing Process (pre-writing, rough draft, revising, and editing) and trait-based lessons and rubrics. Students learn how to explain, persuade, and create vivid description in their writing, and to write with coherency and style.

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3rd Grade

Texts: Shurley English 3, Writing our Catholic Faith (Grade 3)

Topics:

• Grammar: Using an interactive approach to teaching English, students learn the eight basic parts of speech and their uses in sentences.  Students grow in their understanding of English and are equipped with the tools they need to apply it in writing and speaking through a fun, systematic, and logical progression of lessons. The program includes lessons on verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, different kinds of sentences and sentence structures, fragments, run-ons, complete subject and complete predicate, simple subject and simple predicate, usage, punctuation, spelling rules, vocabulary, and analogies.

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• Writing: Students write paragraphs, narratives, essays, and reports using the Writing Process (pre-writing, rough draft, revising, and editing) and trait-based lessons and rubrics. Students learn how to explain, persuade, and create vivid description in their writing, and to write with coherency and style.

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• Handwriting

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4th Grade

Texts: Shurley English 4

Topics: 

• Grammar: Using an interactive approach to teaching English, students learn the eight basic parts of speech and their uses in sentences.  Students grow in their understanding of English and are equipped with the tools they need to apply it in writing and speaking through a fun, systematic, and logical progression of lessons. This program includes the study of verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, different kinds of sentences and sentence structures, fragments, run-ons, complete subject and complete predicate, simple subject and simple predicate, usage, punctuation, spelling rules, vocabulary, and analogies.

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• Writing: Students write paragraphs, narratives, essays, and reports using the Writing Process (pre-writing, rough draft, revising, and editing) and trait-based lessons and rubrics. Students learn how to explain, persuade, and create vivid description in their writing, and to write with coherency and style.

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5th Grade   

Texts: Shurley English 5

Topics:

• Grammar (parts of speech & their application)

• Writing (paragraphs, informative, argumentative, narrative essays, stories, book reports).

• Vocabulary/Spelling (new words & their application)

• Reading Literature (oral reading, comprehension, discussion)

• Penmanship (cursive practice, incorporated into all areas)

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6th Grade  

Texts: Various Novels and Poems, Shurley English Level 6 (2013), Wordly Wise 3000 Book 6 (4th Edition)

Topics:

• Grammar (conventions of modern English)

• Writing (narrative, expository, and persuasive essays; literature interpretation & response; book summaries)

• Reading (comprehension & discussion)

• Vocabulary/Spelling (new words & their usage)

• Penmanship (cursive practice, incorporated into all areas)

• Poetry (interpretation, memorization & recitation)

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7th Grade

Texts: Various Novels and Poems, Grammar for Writing (Grade 7), Wordly Wise 3000 Book 7 (4th Edition)

Topics:

• Public speaking & listening skills, including presentation of writing projects

• Literature Studies (Structure, Narrative Analysis, Literary Criticism) & Response See below for details

• Vocabulary (word derivations, pronunciation, definitions)

• Reasoning skills (fact vs. opinion), relevant information, inferences, cause & effect, syllogism

• Deductive reasoning, following directions

• Writing expository, descriptive, persuasive and narrative essays (prewriting, writing, revising, proofreading, publishing)(fictional and nonfictional)

• Write a research report (including outline skills)

• Writing of summaries

• Writer’s resources (study strategies, using the dictionary & library, taking notes, outlining)

• Grammar (correct usage & mechanics, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, punctuation, capitalization, complex sentences, verbs)

• Proper sentence structure (fragments & run-ons, identifying subject & predicate)

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8th Grade

Texts: Various Novels and Poems, Grammar for Writing (Grade 8), Wordly Wise 3000 Book 8 (4th Edition)

Topics:

• Public speaking & listening skills

• Literature studies – See separate attachment

• Vocabulary (word derivations, pronunciation, definitions)

• Reasoning skills (fact vs. opinion), relevant information, inferences, cause & effect, syllogism, deductive reasoning, following directions

• Proper sentence structure (fragments & run-ons, identifying subject & predicate)

• Building paragraphs (topic sentence, supporting details, ending sentence)

• Writing expository, descriptive, and narrative essays (prewriting, writing, revising, proofreading, publishing)

• Writing stories, book reports, and a research paper (with outline)

• Writer’s resources (study strategies, using the dictionary & library, taking notes, outlining)

• Grammar (correct usage & mechanics)

• Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, punctuation, capitalization, complex sentences, verbs).