Middle School Curriculum

Language Arts and Literacy

Haines 6th Grade Center

The middle school English Language Arts curriculum is aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, NJSLS-ELA, and offers a comprehensive literacy experience that integrates reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and language conventions. Instruction is delivered through whole-class lessons, small group strategy instruction, and independent practice to meet the needs of all learners.

Reading Instruction
Students engage in a variety of literary and informational texts across multiple genres. Instruction emphasizes the development of critical thinking, inferential comprehension, and analytical skills. Book clubs and discussion groups foster collaborative thinking and deeper understanding of complex texts.

Writing Instruction
Writing instruction includes units in narrative, literary analysis, and informational writing. Students learn to develop clear, evidence-based arguments, organize information from multiple sources, and write purposefully across genres. The year concludes with students composing original historical fiction, applying advanced narrative techniques and historical research.

Language and Vocabulary Development
Grammar and language conventions are taught in the context of writing. Vocabulary instruction is embedded throughout the curriculum, with an emphasis on Greek and Latin roots in Grades 7 and 8 to support word knowledge and academic language development.

Integration of Technology
Technology is incorporated throughout the ELA curriculum to enhance reading, writing, research, and collaboration, preparing students to communicate effectively in a digital world.

New Jersey Student Learning Standards - ELA

Memorial Middle School: Grades 7-8

The middle school Language Arts Literacy Curriculum is grounded in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The Standards form the basis for units of study in reading and in writing.Students are taught in the context of the whole class, as well as in small needs-based strategy groups. Word study continues with a focus on vocabulary development, as understood through Greek and Latin roots. Grammar and conventions are taught in the context of writing. Technology plays an integral role in all aspects of literacy instruction.

New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Language Arts

7th Grade Language Arts Literacy

Unit of Study	Description
Orientation & Launching 7th Grade ELA	This unit introduces students to the routines and procedures that will structure LAL instruction over the course of the school year. The unit builds on students' previous experiences of learning in a workshop model and guides them to transition to a different context where reading and writing are taught in a more blended manner and independent reading plays a major role. Therefore, time is devoted to establishing independent reading expectations that include keeping a reading log, responding in writing, and how to prepare for regularly scheduled check-ins.
Short Story with Literary Analysis & Essay	The purpose of the unit is to teach students how to deeply comprehend texts on three levels: literally (“within the text”); inferentially (“beyond the text”) and analytically (“about the text”). Students are taught to use close reading strategies that focus on specific elements of author’s craft in order to form theories about characterization, plot development, and theme.The teaching also focuses on instructing students how to put that deep comprehension into a written response. To prepare to write a literary essay, students engage in close-reading and note-taking, as well as learn different ways to express and to explain their thinking. Students then “write long” on their observations about character, theme, symbolism, and other literary elements. Students compose, revise, edit, and publish a well-organized essay that includes a clear thesis statement regarding author’s craft, supporting evidence, and analysis.
Genocide Awareness	This unit is a researched-based reading and writing unit that immerses students in the study of genocide- Cambodia, Darfur, Rwanda and the Holocaust. This unit focuses on areas of research such as previewing sources with text features, note taking, paraphrasing. Students discern various forms of text structure and identify appropriate structures for different types of content. Students learn how to cite their sources, another important research skill. They search for appropriate aids to complement their writing and produce a piece that demonstrates knowledge of all the aspects of sound of research.
Writing Realistic Fiction	This unit opens with teaching students to see “fictional possibilities” from moments that happen in their real lives. The work focuses on character development and writing scenes that are vivid to the reader. Students learn character-developing techniques-such as exploring character motivations and obstacles, their quirks and their passions, their internal and external lives. Students follow a story arc to structure their narrative and to self-check that their story structure “holds” throughout the piece. Student writers write from small moments, add dialogue and character actions that convey traits and motivation. They learn to write engaging endings. Final editing brings the piece to publication-ready to share.
Deepening Comprehension through Literature Circles	The number one purpose of literature circles is for students to engage in meaningful discussions that are rooted in their chosen books, but are not confined by them. In this unit, students use the Notice & Note strategies to discover key parts of their novels that are worthy of discussion. They use discussion supports to help them talk more deeply about the characters and plots in their stories. Moreover, we want the students to apply all they have learned across the year about narrative text and use that knowledge to further develop their ability to comprehend, especially at the inferential and critical levels. The texts, which are selected by the students, offer opportunity for learners to hone their voices, continue to carve out their ideas and thoughts about the world, and to learn strategies to effectively communicate their thinking.

8th Grade Language Arts Literacy

Unit of Study	Description
Orientation & Launching 8th Grade ELA	This unit aims to introduce students to the procedures, tools, and expectations of 8th grade English Language Arts. Students will work to establish connections between texts, to use their prior knowledge and experience, and will form habits for written expression. Time is devoted to establishing independent reading expectations that include keeping a reading log, responding in writing, and how to prepare for regularly scheduled check-ins. Students engage in activities that reference their summer reading. By engaging in these collegial activities, students become acquainted with books others have read in hopes that they, too, are motivated to widen the scope of their reading. This helps to get independent reading off to a strong start.
Deepening Comprehension & Literary Essay	This unit is designed to elevate reading ability through Notice and Note Strategies and comprehension strategies good readers use. Students will learn to analyze literary elements at a deeper level, including symbolism, foreshadowing, and how authors convey theme. Throughout the unit, students will learn to analyze various forms of literature through written expression. They will use all of this knowledge to write a literary essay on theme at the end of the unit.
Narrative Elements of Voice and Personal Essay	This unit is designed to teach skills that increase the complexity of student writing through a variety of writing techniques. The work focuses on narrative elements that include diction, connotation, denotation, tone, and imagery. Students learn how to use writing strategies to embed these narrative elements into their pieces in order to make their piece more meaningful for their reader. Students make decisions about their “craft moves” that are purposeful, taking their reader on a journey rich with vivid description and underlying meaning. Final editing brings the piece to publication-ready to share.The overarching goal is for students to learn how to highlight the central ideas they want readers to draw from their text and to do that work with skill and finesse.
Literature Circles- Topics of Social Injustice	The number one purpose of literature circles is for students to engage in meaningful discussions that are rooted in their chosen books, but are not confined by them. In this unit, students use discussion supports to help them talk more deeply about the characters and plots in their stories. They synthesize their understanding of multiple texts, of both print and non-print forms, to make connections and to develop big ideas. They are called on to apply all they have learned about narrative text to further develop their ability to comprehend, especially at the inferential and critical levels. Moreover, students are guided to ponder the social issues addressed in their texts of choice. They stretch their ability to comprehend, to go beyond the book, by thinking about the world and the role they play in bringing social justice to it. Students learn to hone their voices, continue to carve out their ideas and thoughts about the world, and learn strategies to effectively communicate their thinking.

Mathematics

Today’s students are preparing to enter a world in which colleges and businesses are demanding more than ever before. To ensure all students are ready for success after high school, the New Jersey Student Learning Standards establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math from kindergarten through 12th grade. The standards were drafted by experts and teachers from across the country and are designed to ensure students are prepared for today’s entry-level careers, freshman-level college courses, and workforce training programs. The NJSLS focuses on developing the critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills students will need to be successful. With the adoption of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, the expectations of middle school math students have changed. Most computational skills are now mastered in elementary school opening the door for a deeper understanding of math concepts at the middle school level. Math curricula are more rigorous than in the past. With that in mind, Medford Township Public Schools implemented the Big Ideas Math program in the fall of 2023. This program gives our teachers and students the resources needed to cover all the NJSLA and the Mathematical Processes in depth.

Big Ideas Math: Easy Access to Student Text

Algebra

Algebra 1 lays the groundwork for all mathematics study by establishing the concepts of set theory, axioms, and properties of the real number system. Students will be able to apply their understanding of basic arithmetic skills to perform operations with various forms of algebraic expressions and equations throughout the program. Linear equations and inequalities are studied with emphasis on transforming verbal statements into mathematical symbols. The course extensively explores linear, exponential, and quadratic functions by manipulating and analyzing their equations and graphs. Contrasting the different types of functions and applying them to real world data are explored in this program as well. Data Analysis as it applies to Algebra 1 is also examined.Eighth grade students are invited into the Algebra program based on the following criteria: PARCC results, Algebra Aptitude Test score, grade point average, teacher recommendation, and previous year’s course level. A matrix system is utilized where students earn points for each of the above listed criteria. The total points accrued through the matrix determines placement for eighth grade mathematics.
Students will be given Progress Assessments periodically through the year. These assessments are created by the Lenape Regional High School District. The assessments that is administered to Shawnee High School Algebra 1 students is the same as the one given to Medford Memorial Algebra 1 students. These assessments, weighted with marking period grades, determine if high school credit will be awarded.

Science

The Medford Township Public Schools Middle School curriculum was updated to reflect the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) beginning the 2017-18 school year. The state of New Jersey recently adopted the NJSLS Science standards that are based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards were developed to create science and engineering learning experiences for students that will carry over to their everyday lives as well as deepen their understanding of the core ideas in science. The curriculum was written using the newest program created by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, My Generation: Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS). STCMS is a hands on, inquiry based program with research-based science instruction rich in experiential phenomena and engineering design integrated throughout each unit. Instruction that goes beyond meeting the NJSLS/NGSS standards, STCMS™ steps up to the challenge of meeting the 5 Innovations of NGSS.

Three-dimensional learning
Coherent learning progression
Phenomena and design solutionIntegrated Engineering and the Nature of Science
Math and literacy connected with science content

Each classroom will have a class set of textbooks, and your child will have access to the textbook online for use outside of the classroom. Your student can log onto the STCMS site and access their book.

Social Studies

Sixth and seventh grades study World History. The ancient world is the focus of the sixth grade year. Topics include early humans and the ancient times of Egypt, India, China, Greece and Rome. In seventh grade, Europe, Japan, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Imperial China, and early America, along with the world’s religions’ influence on history. The eighth grade will study US History, including Native Americans and continue through to the Reconstruction Era. European Exploration and Settlement, Colonies in America, Declaration of Independence, American Revolution, The Constitution and The Civil War are some of the additional highlights.

National Geographic Learning Program