English Language Arts 2025-2026 

Next Generation Standards 

CORE CONVENTION SKILLS

(Grades 6-8)  

• Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, and possessive).  

• Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.  

• Recognize and correct pronouns that have unclear or ambiguous antecedents. 

• Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general, as well as in specific sentences.  

• Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.  

• Use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.  

• Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives).  

• Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.  

• Recognize and correct inappropriate verb shifts 

Key Ideas and Details 

6R1: Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences. 

6R2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text. 

In literary texts, describe how events unfold, as well as how characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. 

In informational texts, analyze how individuals, events, and ideas are introduced, relate to each other, and are developed 

Craft and Structure 

GR4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings. 

6R5: In literary texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, stanza, chapter, scene, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central idea, setting, or plot. In informational texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central ideas. 

6R6: In literary texts, identify the point of view and explain how it is developed and conveys meaning. In informational texts, explain how an author’s geographic location or culture affects his or her perspective. 

Writing 

6th Grade 

Argument 

6W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.  

6W1a: Introduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. 

6W1b: Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.  

6W1c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.  

6W1d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.  

6W1e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented. 

6W1f: Maintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task   

Informative/Explanatory 

6W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.   

6W2a: Introduce a topic clearly; organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect. 

6W2b: Develop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.  

6W2c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.  

6W2d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.  

6W2e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented. 

6W2f: Establish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task   

Narratives     

6W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and sequencing. 

6W3a: Engage the reader by introducing a narrator and/or characters. 

6W3b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.  

6W3c: Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.  

6W3d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.  

6W3e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. 

7th Grade 

7W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. 

7W1a: Introduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.  

7W1b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.  

7W1c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.  

7W1d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.  

7W1e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented. 7W1f: Maintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task         

7W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.  

7W2a: Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect.  

7W2b: Develop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.  

7W2c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.  

7W2d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.  

7W2e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented.  

7W2f: Establish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task 

7W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and clear sequencing.  

7W3a: Engage the reader by establishing a point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters.  

7W3b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.  

7W3c: Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.  

7W3d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.  

7W3e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative 

8th Grade    

8W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.  

8W1a: Introduce precise claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.  

8W1b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.  

8W1c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.  

8W1d: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. 

8W1e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented. 8W1f: Maintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task  

8W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.  

8W2a: Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect. 

8W2b: Develop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.  

8W2c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.  

8W2d: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.  

8W2e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented.  

8W2f: Establish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task 

8W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details and clear sequencing.  

8W3a: Engage the reader by establishing a point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters. 

8W3b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.  

8W3c: Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another and show the relationships among experiences and events.  

8W3d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.  

8W3e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. 

Pupil's Ability to Receive Course Credit

A student who falls below an 85% attendance level may not be eligible to receive course credit. Before the denial of course credit due to insufficient attendance, the School District will employ intervention strategies as outlined in this plan.

When an excused absence occurs, the student may be given the opportunity to make up any missed work.

When an unexcused absence occurs, the student may be allowed to complete missed work to receive a grade, but a penalty will be reflected in the grade

The full attendance policy is attached for your reference or you can find online at our website under district documents (Policy 7110).

English Language Arts Grading Policy

Quarterly grades will be comprised of:

• Daily Classwork - 60%

• Assessments (Essays, Tests, Projects) - 30%

• Participation -10%

Visual Arts Grading Policy

Quarterly grades will be comprised of:

• Skills Assessment- 20%

• Class Participation, performance, portfolio - 50%

• Reports and Class Projects- 10%

• Tests, Quizzes, and Examinations- 20%

Spanish Language Grading Policy

Quarterly grades will be comprised of:

• Skill Assessment - 50%

• Class Participation- 50%

Quarter 1

September2-November 5 Mailed 11/10

Five Week Progress Report

September 2-October 2 Mailed 10/8

Quarter2

November 6- January 28 Mailed 2/3

15 Week Progress Report

November 6- December 10 Mailed 12/16

Quarter 3

January 29- April 17 Mailed 4/21

25 Week Progress Report

January 29- March 10 Mailed 3/16

Quarter 4

April 20- June 24 Mailed 6/29

35 Week Progress Report

April 20-May 19 Mailed 6/29