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Northside MS ELA Vision
Every day, in every MS ELA classroom, every learner will experience opportunities to develop lifelong literacy and critical thinking skills in an engaging environment that fosters respect, choice, and collaboration.
Academic ELA Grades 6 - 8
Middle School English Language Arts is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Strategies for listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts are integrated daily to create a literacy-rich classroom which promotes engaging, student-centered learning. Through the communication of ideas, orally and in writing, students continue to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers. The primary goals of this course are to cultivate independent learning, encourage in-depth inquiry and exploration of the content, and develop the habits necessary for academic success.
Advanced ELA Grades 6 - 8
These middle school courses are designed to prepare and motivate students for Advanced and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. This is in addition to the grade-level expectations of the Middle School English Language Arts classroom. Students have multiple opportunities to develop communication and analytical skills in an academically challenging course of study. As a preparation for Advanced Placement English courses in high school, this course adds a focus on literary analysis in reading, writing, and speaking.
There is a Summer Reading requirement for Advanced ELA; however, all students are encouraged to engage in free choice summer reading. With guidance from their MS ELA teachers, students in grades 6-8 explore their interests and self-select books for summer reading.
Advanced ELA 6-8 Summer Reading Guidelines
Middle School ELA District Calendar
The suggested pacing for all grades can be found on the: All-Level MS ELA Pacing Calendar.
This district calendar outlines the suggested pacing for the units in middle school ELA.
Middle School ELA District Grading Policy
The district grading policy for middle school ELA is as follows:
40% Formative
60% Summative
Formative assessments include minor daily quizzes, class work, homework, and other in-class and district-administered assessments. Summative assessments include unit exams, major pieces of writing, and projects.
MS ELA Textbook
Middle school ELA students use the myPerspectives textbook published by Pearson (Savvas).
Students are also able to access an online version of the textbook, which includes options to have the book read aloud to the student. The online platform, known as Pearson Savvas Realize, also has digital lessons and interactive lessons and can be accessed through the student’s NISD portal.
Grades 6 - 8 STAAR
Middle school students prepare all year focusing on the mastery of the TEKS and then participate in a cumulative Reading STAAR test at the end of their 6th, 7th, and 8th grade year. Writing at 7th grade will no longer be administered as of 2021-2022. For more information regarding STAAR, please access this link for general resources: Texas Education Agency - STAAR Resources.
Parents and students can access the Texas Assessment Family Portal at texasassessment.gov to view and print released STAAR tests as well as login to access the online practice tests.
English and Language Arts at Jefferson MS
At Jefferson Middle School, ELA's Vision is this: Every day, in every MS ELA classroom, every learner will experience opportunities to develop lifelong literacy and critical thinking skills in an engaging environment that fosters respect, choice, and collaboration. As a department, we do our absolute best to hold true to this vision every day. In ELA, we focus on Reading, Writing, Thinking, Listening and Speaking, and want to improve all of these aspects of life for all students.
Advanced English and Language Arts
Advanced ELA is a fast-paced, multi-faceted course that will require academic commitment and a willingness to put forth your personal best. We will focus on depth of learning and understanding as well as finding ways of making extensions and finding connections. In this course, you will not only learn the skills necessary to prepare you for success during your middle school career, but also in your future academic endeavors. It is our goal to instill critical thinking skills using reading, writing, listening, thinking, and speaking. The following are qualities of successful, Advanced ELA students:
- Enjoys reading and writing
- Wants to discuss their ideas
- Wants or enjoys being challenged
- Expected to attempt higher level reading and writing
- Curious about stories, current and world events, and culture
- Can effectively and consistently articulate thinking through written expression
