Middle M/J Language Arts 2

Segment 1

• Reading Comprehension/Informational & Expository Writing
• Explaining author’s purpose through diction and syntax
• Exploring connotation and denotation
• Examining the ways literary elements interact
• Understanding the effect of unreliable narrators
• Analyzing plot structure
• Determining one or more themes in literature
• Learning the correct usage of hyphens
• Uncovering word meanings through context clues
• Discovering tools for enhancing language
• Composing powerful paragraphs
• Determining the central idea of a text
• Recognizing text features
• Writing effective summaries
• Identifying the structure of informational texts
• Distinguishing between organizational patterns
• Reading for research purposes
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Citing sources correctly
• Formatting the Works Cited page
• Using signal phrases and transitions in academic writing
• Writing effective informational introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions
• Formulating thesis statements for academic writing
• Using precise language and domain-specific vocabulary
• Creating different types of sentences
• Editing and revising
• Identifying and correcting logical fallacies
• Using semicolons effectively
• Determining word meaning through affixes and root words
• Defining and analyzing author's perspective
• Writing compare and contrast paragraphs
• Using colons effectively
• Identifying and analyzing allusions in nonfiction and fiction

Segment 1 Advanced

• Summarizing the same text for two different audiences
• Researching and presenting information on a Supreme Court landmark case
• Analyzing how logical fallacies weaken arguments
• Determining how rhetoric is used effectively in advertising

Segment 2

• Reading Comprehension/Argumentative Writing/Narrative Writing
• Analyzing rhetorical appeals and devices
• Responding to text-based prompts
• Identifying elements of an effective claim and counterclaim
• Effectively supporting a claim
• Organizing an effective argument
• Determining the central/main idea
• Using elaborative details
• Understanding how figurative language affects meaning and tone
• Interpreting figurative language
• Finding literal and figurative meaning
• Comparing and contrasting texts
• Using context clues to paraphrase poetry
• Identifying characteristics of poetic forms
• Explaining how figurative language impacts tone
• Identifying elements of drama
• Clarifying point of view and perspective
• Tracking the development of conflict and theme
• Revising for parallel structure
• Using digital media to create a book review
• Identifying narrators and points of view
• Planning a narrative based on a prompt
• Writing a narrative that clearly reflects plot structure
• Using narrative techniques to enhance creative writing
• Incorporating temporal words and phrases effectively
• Understanding active and passive voice
• Using verbs to achieve a certain mood

Segment 2 Advanced

• Writing an opening argument for a fictional character
• Determining which poetic form best reflects character and theme       
• Analyzing how unique narrative techniques affect plot and purpose

Students are responsible for obtaining independent reading material.

Besides engaging students in challenging curriculum, the course guides students to reflect on their learning and evaluate their progress through a variety of assessments. Assessments can be in the form of practice lessons, multiple choice questions, writing assignments, projects, research papers, oral assessments, and discussions. This course will use the state-approved grading scale. Each course contains a mandatory final exam or culminating project that will be weighted at 20% of the student’s overall grade.***

***Proctored exams can be requested by FLVS at any time and for any reason in an effort to ensure academic integrity. When taking the exam to assess a student’s integrity, the exam must be passed with at least a 59.5% in order to earn credit for the course.