Bellamy Middle School and Fairview Memorial Middle School

Rationale for the English Language Arts Curriculum

            The revised English Language Arts curriculum is a combined effort of the English Departments at Bellamy Middle School and Fairview Memorial Middle School.  The curriculum is based on and reflects the incorporation of Standards in the June 2001 Massachusetts English Language Arts Frameworks, grades 6 through 8. 

            The curriculum adheres to the New England Association of Schools and College’s “Curriculum Teaching and Learning Standard 2,” by

• prescribing content
• integrating relevant school-wide learning expectations;
• identifying specific learning goals;
• suggesting instructional strategies;
• suggesting assessment techniques including the use of school-wide rubrics. 

The revisions address the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systems test by addressing reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, reading for the main idea, drawing conclusions and making inferences, emphasizing critical thinking, analytical writing, and creative writing.  The curriculum focuses on the content of the short answer response as well as on the structure and organization of the five-paragraph essay and other kinds of essays. 

            The curriculum includes summer reading suggestions to reinforce both English Departments’ commitments to making students aware of reading as an enjoyable pastime. 

Students are also required to talk about literature in oral presentations and in group discussions. 

            The curriculum reflects the criteria of No Child Left Behind that students will be taught by highly qualified instructors since the scope and sequence of the 6 – 8 offerings are challenging and varied; demanding that each classroom teacher demonstrate a competency that embraces a broad preparation in English content and in how to teach that content to a diverse student population. 

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