| Because a command of the English language is so
vital to all other areas of learning, English instruction receives
considerable time and attention at Madison Country Day School. The MCDS Language Arts curriculum includes reading, writing, spelling, grammar, handwriting, speaking, rhyming, and memorization. Reading is taught both as a basic skill and as a means to develop the ability to write and speak well. Classic literature promotes the development of vocabulary, models excellent writing skills and exposes children to important ideas. Madison Country Day School strives to have its students become independent, fluent, committed readers and writers and to increase their range and quality of comprehension. Children are taught to write for a range of purposes including letters and journals, essays and reports, stories and poems. They learn to write clearly, accurately, and appropriately for the audience and purpose. Students learn thoughtful and critical reading skills and complete frequent writing projects on a routine basis. In fact, writing pervades the entire Madison Country Day School curriculum. Most
assignments, including many in mathematics and science, require
the students to exercise and further develop their writing skills.
Program Goals
- To listen intently
- To form all letters of the alphabet correctly
- To learn explicit phonics as the path to advanced reading skills
- To write from dictation
- To speak comfortably in front of the class and larger groups
- To follow explicit oral directions as they are given
- To love quality literature and to appreciate authorship
- To develop comprehensive and analytical thinking skills
- To spell by using a system of encoding rather than sight alone
- To write well in a variety of styles
Program Curriculum
In Middle School, students extend their skills through both creative and research writing. Speech and debate become a regular part of the program. Vocabulary, grammar, spelling and Latin/Greek etymologies are woven into the class. A Socratic seminar approach to literature is utilized emphasizing both historical and modern classical literature.
Grade 5
Teachers
emphasize writing, grammar and punctuation, and studying classical
literature and poetry Students study Latin and Greek etymologies
to aid in their understanding of spelling and to increase vocabulary
They learn precise word usage in writing and master all parts of
speech Literature discussed in a Socratic seminar format Works are
analyzed by determining and discussing literary elements, including
plot, theme, characterization, and motivation of characters Students
read R.L. Stevenson Treasure Island, Charles Dickens A
Christmas Carol, and Rudyard Kipling The Jungle Book among
other books. Students regularly practice reading aloud and public
speaking.
Grade 6
Teachers emphasize writing, grammar and punctuation,
and studying classical literature and poetry. Students study
Latin and Greek etymologies to aid in their understanding of
spelling and to increase vocabulary. They learn precise word
usage in writing and master all parts of speech. Literature
is discussed in a Socratic seminar format. Works are analyzed
by determining and discussing literary elements, including
plot, theme, characterization, and motivation of characters.
Students write an increasing amount of reaction papers and
essays. Students read Stephen Crane The Red Badge of Courage, Mark
Twain The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, H.G. Wells, and The
Time Machine, among other books. Students regularly practice
reading aloud and public speaking.
Grade 7
The real focus of seventh grade is on writing. Students
compose academic essays, research papers, and longer
works of creative writing or collections of poetry. They
will occasionally imitate the writing style of the authors
and works discussed. Students study the qualities of
great writing, in addition to such literary elements
as plot,
theme, and characterization. Important selections of
poetry, dramas, and novels complete
the seventh-grade English cuniculum. Works such as George
Orwell Animal Farm, William Shakespeare Romeo
and Juliet,
and William Golding Lord of the Flies are
read and discussed in a Socratic seminar format. Students
regularly practice reading aloud and public speaking.
Grade 8
Eighth grade English maintains the emphasis upon writing. Students
compose academic essays, research papers, and longer works
of creative writing or collections of poetry. They will occasionally
imitate the writing style of the authors and works discussed.
Students study the qualities of great writing, in addition
to such literary elements as plot, theme, and characterization.
Important selections of poetry, dramas, and novels complete
the eighth-grade English curriculum. Works such as Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice, Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet
Letter,
and Homer The Iliad are read and discussed in a Socratic
seminar format. Students
regularly practice reading aloud and public speaking.
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