English/Language Arts
Aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards, English/Language Arts courses at Radnor Middle School utilize a variety of resources including selections from Glencoe’s Reader’s Choice, common novel reading experiences, and supplementary material from National Math and Science Initiative (formerly known as Laying the Foundation). Instruction is differentiated and delivered at a level that is commensurate with each student’s present reading and writing levels.
6th Grade ELA
6th Grade Intensive Language Arts Decoding
Length: Year
Format: Meets One (1) Period Daily
Description: Intensive Language Arts Decoding is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course. For these students, skill deficits in the area of decoding are the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness, and the course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. Consideration for enrollment in this course is based on the specific needs addressed in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The delivery model for this course will include the use of research-based instructional programs and specially trained staff, and may also offer additional minutes of instruction and specialized technology. Direct instruction and guided practice in phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary development, and fluency are aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas.
6th Grade Intensive Language Arts Comprehension
Length: Year
Format: Meets One (1) Period Daily
Description: Intensive Language Arts Comprehension is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course. For these students, skill deficits in the area of comprehension are the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness, and the course is especially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. The delivery model for this course will include the use of a research-based instructional program, specially trained staff, additional minutes of instruction, and specialized technology. Direct instruction and guided practice in comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, and phonics are aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core language arts curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas.
6th Grade Language Arts
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: Grade 6 Language Arts allows students to pursue rigorous coursework that is aligned with Pennsylvania Core Standards. Students are admitted to this course based on criteria that consider past performance and readiness. Students in this course will develop grade level appropriate skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Rigorous in- and out-of-class reading, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments will also be required. Major units of study in this course consist of:
- Unit #1 - Artful Reading and Writing
- Unit #2 - Growing and Changing
- Unit #3 - Literature Reflects Life
- Unit #4 – Telling a Story
Self-selected readings, vocabulary, and grammar run concurrently with the above units.
6th Grade Accelerated Language Arts
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: Accelerated Language Arts allows high-performing, highly-motivated, and academically-advanced students to pursue rigorous coursework that is tailored toward students who are performing two (2) or more years above grade level. Students are admitted to accelerated courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. A Parent Override to access an Accelerated class is available for one subject/discipline (excluding math) per year. This course builds on and extends the range of basic content from the on-grade-level language arts course and pursues skills and content from advanced grade levels. Students in this course will develop advanced skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Rigorous in- and out-of-class reading, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments will also be required. Major units of study in this course consist of:
- Unit #1 - Artful Reading and Writing
- Unit #2 - Growing and Changing
- Unit #3 - Literature Reflects Life
- Unit #4 - Mystery
Self-selected readings, vocabulary, and grammar run concurrently with the above units.
7th Grade ELA
7th Grade Intensive Language Arts Decoding
Length: Year
Format: Meets One (1) Daily
Description: Intensive Language Arts Decoding is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course. For these students, skill deficits in the area of decoding are the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness, and the course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. Consideration for enrollment in this course is based on the specific needs addressed in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The delivery model for this course will include the use of research-based instructional programs and specially trained staff. Additional minutes of instruction and specialized technology may also be offered. Direct instruction and guided practice in phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary development, and fluency are aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas.
7th Grade Intensive Language Arts Comprehension
Length: Year
Format: Meets One (1) Period Daily
Description: Intensive Language Arts Comprehension is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course. For these students, skill deficits in the area of comprehension are the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness, and the course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. Consideration for enrollment in this course is based on the specific needs addressed in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The delivery model for this course will include the use of a research-based instructional program, specially trained staff, additional minutes of instruction, and specialized technology. Direct instruction and guided practice in comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, and phonics is aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core language arts curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas. This course is a double period course which spans over a Core period and one Encore period.
7th Grade Language Arts
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: 7th Language Arts allows students to pursue rigorous coursework that is aligned with Pennsylvania Core Standards. Students are admitted to this course based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. Students in this course will develop grade-level appropriate skills in seventh (7th) grade reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Rigorous in- and out-of-class reading, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments will also be required. Major units of study in this course consist of:
- Unit #1 Method and Meaning in Fiction and Poetry
- Unit #2 - Fact and Fiction
- Unit #3 - Because I Said So: Crafting an Argument
- Unit #4 - Method and Meaning in Nonfiction
- Unit #5 - Tell Me a Story: The Art of Narrative
Self-selected readings, vocabulary, and grammar run concurrently with the above units.
7th Grade Accelerated Language Arts
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: 7th Grade Accelerated Language Arts allows high-performing, highly-motivated, and academically-advanced students to pursue rigorous coursework that is tailored toward students who are performing two (2) or more years above grade-level expectations. Students are admitted to accelerated courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. A Parent Override to access an Accelerated class is available for one subject/discipline (excluding math) per year. This course builds on and extends the range of basic content from the on-grade-level language arts course and pursues skills and content from advanced grade levels. Students in this course will develop advanced skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Rigorous in- and out-of-class reading, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments will also be required. Major units of study in this course consist of:
- Unit #1 - Method and Meaning in Fiction and Poetry
- Unit #2 - Method and Meaning in Nonfiction
- Unit #3 - Because I Said So: Crafting an Argument
- Unit #4 Hidden Messages: Symbolism and Imagery
- Unit #5 - Tell Me a Story: The Art of Narrative Writing
- Unit #6 - Fact and Fiction
Self-selected readings, vocabulary, and grammar run concurrently with the above units.
8th Grade ELA
8th Grade Intensive Language Arts Decoding
Length: Year
Format: Meets One (1) Period Daily
Description: Intensive Language Arts Decoding is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course. For these students, skill deficits in the area of decoding are the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. The course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. Consideration for enrollment in this course is based on the specific needs addressed in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The delivery model for this course will include the use of researchâbased instructional programs and specially trained staff. Additional minutes of instruction and specialized technology may also be offered. Direct instruction and guided practice in phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary development, and fluency are aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas.
8th Grade Intensive Language Arts Comprehension
Length: Year
Format: Meets One (1) Period Daily
Description: Intensive Language Arts Comprehension is specially designed for students for whom reading and/or writing achievement limits their ability to fully benefit from the grade-level language arts course. For these students, skill deficits in the area of comprehension are the area of greatest need. Students are admitted to these courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. The course is specially designed to advance reading and writing skills that are below grade-level expectation. Consideration for enrollment in this course is based on the specific needs addressed in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The delivery model for this course will include the use of a research-based instructional program, and specially trained staff. Additional minutes of instruction and specialized technology may also be offered. Direct instruction and guided practice in comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, and phonics are aligned with each student’s specific areas of need. Students in these courses may be exposed to some of the Radnor Township School District core language arts curriculum, but the priority is building skills in reading and written language to ensure future academic success in all areas. This course is a double period course which spans over a Core period and one Encore period.
8th Grade Language Arts
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: Grade 8 Language Arts allows students to pursue rigorous coursework that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards. Students are enrolled in this course based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. Students in this course will develop grade-level appropriate skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Rigorous in- and out-of-class reading, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments will also be required. Major units of study in this course consist of:
- Unit #1 - Literary Foundations through Science Fiction
- Unit #2 - The Short Story: Thinking Like a Writer
- Unit #3 - Voices of Courage and Dignity in Their Own Words
- Unit #4 - Drama and Argument
- Unit #5 - Deeper Meaning through a Classic
Self-selected readings, vocabulary, and grammar run concurrently with the above units.
8th Grade Accelerated Language Arts
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: Accelerated Eighth (8th) Grade Language Arts allows high-performing, highly-motivated, and academically-gifted students to pursue rigorous coursework that is tailored toward students who are performing two (2) or more years above grade level. Students are admitted to accelerated courses based on criteria that consider past performance and demonstrated readiness. A Parent Override to access an Accelerated class is available for one subject/discipline (excluding math) per year. This course builds on and extends the range of basic content from the on-grade-level language arts course and pursues skills and content from advanced grade levels. Students in this course will develop advanced skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Rigorous in- and out-of-class reading, challenging class discussions, and a variety of writing experiences will be required. Summer assignments will also be required. Major units of study in this course consist of:
- Unit #1 - Literary Elements and Memory
- Unit #2 - Author’s Purpose: Revealed Through a Hero’s Journey
- Unit #3 - Drama and Argument
- Unit #4 - Voice and the Vulnerability of the Innocent
- Unit #5 - Justice or Injustice: The Eyes of the Beholder
Self-selected readings, vocabulary, and grammar run concurrently with the above units.