Language Arts-Social Studies

Departments

Mesa Verde Middle School
Language Arts/Social Studies

SIXTH GRADE CORE

• Language Arts and Literature
  • Core literature novels
  • Reading includes: fiction, non-fiction, short story, poetry, drama, biography, and historical fiction. There are assignments and discussions on various literary concepts that connect reading to current topics, historical detail, social issues and character development. Vocabulary development is an integrated part of all lessons.
  • Styles of writing include: literary analysis, report of information, autobiographical incident, narrative, persuasive, letter writing, poetry, and mini research assignments. Teachers use various strategies to teach the writing process, spelling and grammar.
  • Listening and speaking skills are taught and practiced.
• Social Studies
  • Text: Ancient Civilizations – Prentice Hall
    • Students study early man and the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome, China, and India.
    • Vocabulary for successful comprehension of the content is taught with each unit.
    • Teachers use simulations, historical fiction, videos, weblinks, skits, debates, Socratic seminars and supplemental texts to help make the study of history come alive.

SEVENTH GRADE CORE

• Langauge Arts
  • ​reading, discussing, and analyzing pieces of fiction and non-fiction in the literature book as well as novels read in class and at home.
  • Grammar will be studied, and a review of the parts of speech and will add to knowledge of correct usage and mechanics. Student will write, revise, and finalize many types of essays this year.
• Social Studies
  • Students will be reading and discussing the dramatic changes that took place throughout the world from 500 AD to approximately 1750.
  • They will also examine the many contributions made by societies and the impact of different cultures on the world.
  • They will take notes, stage simulated events, analyze slides and videos, make maps, interpret political cartoons, and other various activities.

EIGHTH GRADE CORE

• Language Arts Eighth grade language arts is designed to prepare students for high school English classes and beyond.
  • Students will be reading, analyzing, and writing about various genres of literature.
  • Grammar and usage will be reviewed and expanded to improve your writing and speaking.
  • Students will be writing well-structured paragraphs and finally essays that effectively present a thesis, support, and conclusion. You will transition to high school a better communicator.
• U.S. History
  • Students will study colonial settlement through the aftermath of the Civil War.
  • Most classes will participate in the Constitutional Challengel, a competition among classes based on facts about American History as well as history you covered when in 6th and 7th grades.
  • In each of the first three quarters, students will take a benchmark test that covers the history standards. Then while learning about the Civil War, you will see re-enactors perform and be involved in an in-depth research project.