Regie Routman, a nationally known language arts educator, consultant, and writer, noted that “… when you get right down to it, it’s not the method or philosophy that’s most important, it’s the teacher, her knowledge, her relationship with students, that’s always been Primary.” (Routman, 1996) This is certainly true of the teachers in the very best language arts department in Spring Branch ISD - those here at Spring Forest Middle School. Believing in delivering the very best instruction to students, this hard working group of teachers constantly seeks out professional growth. We are proud to advertise that over half of the SFMS teachers are New Jersey Writing Project trained, many have participated in TRIBES training, all take advantage of language arts staff development opportunities offered through the district, and all have made a commitment to become ESL certified if they do not currently hold the endorsement. These teachers are clearly dedicated to improving the literate lives of students.

6th Grade Language Arts

Sixth grade students develop an analytical approach to reading. Students are introduced to a wide array of literary terms in order to begin using the language of the critic. Using a wide variety of texts, both classical and contemporary, students will analyze how the author’s style, choice of words, and selected genre blend to create meaning. In writing students are expected to use more complex sentence structures and grammatical constructions. Additionally, students learn to organize ideas in convincing and sophisticated ways for a variety of purposes and audiences. A brief overview of each six weeks includes:

1st six weeks       Artful Reading and Writing
2nd six weeks      Literary Devices and Techniques: The Link to Meaning
3rd six weeks       Building a House of Letters: The Structure of Literature
4th six weeks       Word Play: Our Language and How it Works for You
5th six weeks       How to Get Your Way: The Art of Argumentation and Persuasion
6th six weeks       Finding Your Voice: Experimenting with Writing

7th Grade Language Arts

Seventh grade students continue to develop an analytical approach to reading in increasingly difficult texts. New literary terms are introduced so students can continue their development of the language of the critic. Using a wide variety of texts, both classical and contemporary, students analyze how the author’s style, choice of words, and selected genre blend to create meaning. In writing students are expected to use more complex sentence structures and grammatical constructions. Additionally, students learn to organize ideas in convincing and sophisticated ways for a variety of purposes and audiences. A brief overview of each six weeks includes:

1st six weeks         Building a vocabulary of literary Analysis
2nd six weeks        Grammar and Style in Poetry and Drama
3rd six weeks         Strategies for Argumentation
4th six weeks         The Real Story: Research and Writing
5th six weeks         It’s Greek to Me: Story and Structure
6th six weeks         Putting it All Together: Thinking Through Literature Analysis
                               Personal Research Project

8th Grade Language Arts

Eighth grade students continue to develop an analytical approach to reading in increasingly difficult texts. Students will continue to expand their use of literary terms as they develop and refine the language of the critic. Using a wide variety of texts, both classical and contemporary, students analyze how the author’s style, choice of words, and selected genre blend to create meaning. In writing students are expected to use more complex sentence structures and grammatical constructions. Additionally, students will be organizing their ideas in convincing and sophisticated ways for a variety of purposes and audiences. A brief overview of each six weeks includes:

1st six weeks          Close Reading the World: Literary Analysis and Life
2nd six weeks         Mind Games: Tone and Theme
3rd six weeks          Writing and Self: Memory, Voice, and Style
4th six weeks          Taking a Stand: History and Argumentation
5th six weeks          The Writer’s Craft: Literary Devices and Techniques
6th six weeks          The Drama of Life

Language Arts Gifted and Talented Courses

In the language arts Gifted and Talented courses, students with advanced learning abilities are provided with an enriched academic environment using a variety of instructional methods and materials. Students will engage in self-initiated and self-directed learning. Students read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts, as well as develop and express ideas through sophisticated and well-constructed compositions and presentations. Evaluations stress higher-level thinking skills, creativity, and excellence in performance and products.