Grade-level summaries are provided to offer an overview of the standards for each grade.
Sixth-grade students are developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity as they engage with more complex texts. They draw conclusions, make inferences, and analyze how authors’ choices influence meaning in both print and multimedia formats. By the end of the year, students are expected to demonstrate independence in these skills, though teachers provide guidance such as one-on-one instruction or differentiated lessons. Sixth graders are introduced to rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and read a wide range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and informational texts. They also engage with multimedia and develop communication skills through writing narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, including professional and creative writing. Additionally, they participate in academic discussions and practice addressing varied audiences.
Seventh-grade students continue developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity as they engage with a wide range of challenging texts. They make inferences about an author’s choices and analyze how those choices impact meaning. By the end of the year, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in grade-level skills with increasing independence, although teachers provide support through one-on-one instruction, small groups, and differentiated lessons. Seventh graders study rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and the structure of literary and informational texts. They read diverse genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and multimedia, and write a variety of texts such as narratives, arguments, and informational pieces. In argumentative writing, students use data to support claims and acknowledge counterclaims. They also practice college and career-ready writing like professional emails and public service announcements. Throughout the year, students participate in academic discussions, learning to communicate effectively to different audiences while considering new ideas and diverse perspectives.
Eighth-grade students continue to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through reading a variety of challenging texts. By the end of the year, they are expected to demonstrate proficiency in grade-level skills with independence, though teachers provide guidance through one-on-one and small group instruction. Eighth graders analyze how authors manipulate time to create suspense and explore rhetoric in texts. They read a wide range of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and multimedia, and write narratives, arguments, and informational texts, focusing on using credible research in expository writing. Additionally, they explore college and career-ready writing, such as professional emails and public service announcements. Students also engage in academic discussions, learning to communicate effectively to different audiences while considering diverse perspectives.
