Honors 6: In 6th grade, Honors English students take an advanced approach to developing proficient communication skills through critical reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will read, respond, analyze, and interpret a variety of literature, including works of fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. Genre-specific writing instruction will guide students through narrative, informative, and argumentative writing. Students will hone their ability to research and assimilate information into a readable format using textual evidence. Students will be introduced to the origins of the English language and build vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots and academic language. Both individually and in cooperative groups, they will be called upon to think “outside the box” to make connections between texts, their own lives, and the world around them. This aids in the development of creative and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and academic responsibility and initiative. Honors English 6 is taught by Ms. Marsh who can be reached at smarsh@psdschools.org.
Honors 7: Honors 7 affords gifted learners the opportunity to move toward high school Pre-AP and AP Language Arts expectations. Students approach learning through four quarterly themed units predicated in novel studies as well as utilizing drama, excerpts from speeches, essays, articles, poetry, and media clips. Students will practice advanced reading skills calling upon synthesis, application, critique, and evaluation and will also use mentor texts for mirrored writing activities. Focused writing instruction guides students through narrative, literary analysis, and argument writing with emphasis placed on improving self-assessment skills and writing on-demand. Weekly vocabulary acquisition and intensive study of advanced grammatical and conventional practices add accuracy and sophistication to writing. Several project-based assignments afford students the opportunity to utilize educational technology to address authentic problems, and the course concludes with an emphasis on public speaking. Honors English 7 is taught by Mr. Jankow who can be reached at mjankow@psdschools.org
Honors 8: As a pre-cursor to high school, Honors English 8 students engage content in an accelerated manner with expectations for strong work habits, as this class meets every other day. Like Honors 7, students approach learning through themed units based on unique literary forms such as memoirs, vignettes, arguments, investigative journalism, and drama. Attention is paid to creating interdisciplinary connections with concepts in history classes and offering culturally influenced writing showcasing the works of authors from a variety of backgrounds. Additionally, literature study is complemented through independent reading projects which culminate in public speaking assessments designed to strengthen students’ speaking and interviewing skills. Honors English 8 students will engage in rigorous writing workshops focused on developing writing style, voice, and sophistication in organization. Honors English 8 is taught by Mr. Milburn-Lauer who can be reached at jmilburnlauer@psdschools.org
*NOTE: ALL students in Honors English 6-8 will also participate together in two annual Honors English units focusing on book studies (fall) and Shakespeare (spring).