In 8th grade ELA, students dove into one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays, Romeo & Juliet. They explored the timeless themes of love, conflict, fate, and family loyalty while developing their skills in reading and analyzing complex literary text. Students worked to understand Shakespeare's unique language and style, examining how his use of dialogue, structure, and figurative language brings the story and characters to life. Through discussion and written work, students considered how the tensions between the Montague and Capulet families drive the tragedy and what the play reveals about human nature — themes that remain just as powerful and relevant today as they were when Shakespeare wrote them over 400 years ago.
In 7th grade, students immersed themselves in the dark and captivating world of Edgar Allan Poe while also exploring the craft of poetry. They read and analyzed some of Poe's most well-known works, examining how he used word choice, tone, and literary devices to create suspense and atmosphere. Students explored how Poe's unique style draws readers in and keeps them on the edge of their seat — whether through his chilling short stories or his hauntingly beautiful poems. Alongside Poe's work, students deepened their understanding of poetry as a genre, analyzing elements such as structure, rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language. A highlight of the unit was the Who Killed Poe? quest, in which students took on the role of literary detectives, digging into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Poe's real-life death and using evidence and reasoning to draw their own conclusions. Through discussion and writing, students developed a greater appreciation for how authors use language intentionally and powerfully to evoke emotion and meaning in their readers.
In 6th Grade, students are reading The Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, a novel that blends the Mexican folklore story of La Llorona - a well-known figure in Mexican culture often described as a ghostly woman who wanders searching for her lost children. As students read The Summer of the Mariposas they will examine the novel through the lens of the Hero's Journey-classic storytelling framework in which a character is called to face challenges, overcomes obstacles, and is changed by the experience. Students will also explore how character traits such as bravery, loyalty, and perseverance are what carry people through difficult times, and how the characters in the novel demonstrate these qualities as they navigate the hardships they face together. Because students are reading this independently but discussing in class, it is VERY IMPORTANT that they are reading the assigned chapter at home. We appreciate your help.
