Building on the language foundation laid during the elementary years, our middle school English courses help students develop an appreciation for and understanding of various literary works. Our program uses the big ideas and standards from British Columbia’s English Language Arts standard and differentiates lessons as needed for students of varying English proficiency.
At each grade level, Ruah students study and analyze two full-length novels, including many well-known works such as Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Animal Farm by George Orwell, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and Refugee by Alan Gratz. Each novel study includes building an understanding of the historical context and genre, doing a close reading of literary devices being used, and analyzing the themes and the development of characters. Students practice their oral language skills through small group and whole class discussions and activities, as well as in-class oral presentations. They learn to express their ideas through a variety of different forms, including poetry, narrative essays, expository essays, argumentative essays, journals, letters, songs, short-form videos, comics, and dramas.
