Academics – Middle School Language Arts

Teacher:
Ms. Carri Svoboda
English 6, 7, 8; Bible 7; History 8

Education & Experience:
*Bachelor of Arts in English, UCSB
*California Professional Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential,
*Authorized Field English
*Association of Christian Schools International Certification
*South Coast Writing Project Fellow
*National Association Teachers of English
*18 yrs. Teaching Experience

SBCS Middle School Language Arts

The language arts program at Santa Barbara Christian School includes all facets one would expect to find in a thorough study of the field: instruction in grammar and mechanics; study of plot structure, methods of characterization, and conflict; lessons in writing poetry including such devises as alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification; the reading and analysis of poetry including rhyme scheme, tone, and theme; regular requirements for creative and expository writing; extensive SAT vocabulary study; individual and group presentations; and endless discussions and debate. All of this is done using a myriad of teaching techniques to engage all students and allow all students to find success.

The distinguishing factors of SBCS’s language arts program include a passionate dedication to teach students to think critically about the world in which God has placed them, to empower them to effectively and confidently communicate their opinions and ideas, and enable them to be academically competitive while also discipling them to lead thoughtful, godly lives of integrity and purpose.

Sixth Grade Focus
Just as each age brings with it new challenges and opportunities, each grade’s language arts curriculum focuses on age-appropriate issues and concepts. Sixth grade is built around the theme of friendship and making good choices. The novels include Watsons go to Birmingham – 1963, Holes, The Bronze Bow, and The Westing Game. All four novels require students to reflect upon what it means to be a real friend, how our attitudes and actions impact others, and God’s call upon our lives to treat others as we would like to be treated.

Sixth graders explore literature through a variety of written responses and class interactions. The concept of supporting their ideas with concrete details from the text is introduced and encouraged throughout sixth grade exposition. They are also afforded many opportunities to use art, drama, and creative writing to reflect their understanding of methods of characterization and theme.

Seventh Grade Focus
Seventh graders are beginning to grapple with the idea that God has a plan for their lives. They are at the point of comprehending that they have been created for a purpose and so have their fellow students. This new level of awareness allows for great excitement when exploring fantasy and adventure novels. Those novels include A Wrinkle in Time, The Welkening, and Treasure Island. These tales are driven by teenage characters learning the importance of using the gifts God has given them to help others. As conflicts are explored, students are able to apply lessons learned by the characters to their own lives.

In addition to exploring literature and reflecting upon it, in seventh grade literature is used as a base for weekly text-based expository pieces of writing and, ultimately, for a complex 2000 word comparison paper grappling with characters or themes. While art, drama, and creative writing are still definitely part of the seventh grade curriculum, the emphasis shifts from just telling stories and making connections to being able to take a stand and prove a point using facts to support one’s opinion.

Eighth Grade Focus
Eighth grade is the culmination of three years of foundation-laying academics and earnest discipleship. The theme for the year is one of sacrifice. Students are faced with characters who step out to help others even at a risk to themselves. The novels are chosen with intention to cause students to reflect upon God’s call on their own lives as they study admirable characters of integrity in Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, The Giver, Cry, The Beloved Country, and The Hiding Place. While analyzing these novels students weekly write text-based exposition pieces which develop throughout the year from simple defense of opinion to metaphorical comparisons and life-application insights.

Since eighth grade language arts is rigorous in the requirements for the students to think critically, examine their own lives, and defend their own opinions, it is a place of great joy and discovery. A particularly raucous good time is had as the 8th grade class acts out A Midsummer Night’s Dream over the course of a quarter culminating in presentations of individual scenes. Invariably the entire class ends up enamored of Shakespeare and leave SBCS wanting more of the great bard. It is a true delight.

SEVENTH GRADE BIBLE
We are raising up our students that they may be able to “... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I (Jesus) have commanded you.” Middle school is a time of discipleship during which students need to have a working understanding of what they believe and why. The seventh grade Bible curriculum looks back at the kings and prophets of the Old Testament and lays the foundation for the coming of Christ. It clearly reveals the need for a Savior and how Jesus fulfills the law set out in the Old Testament.

EIGHTH GRADE HISTORY
At the end of the book of John, John writes, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25). The study of American history is a study of some of the “books that would be written.” Students need to see God’s sovereignty in establishing this nation, providing godly leadership in its foundation, and using godly individuals to further develop the United States of America. Through studying the choices of our predecessors, students learn not only the facts about our history but also the reality that their choices as citizens powerfully impact a democratic society. Beyond that, students may discover that they are a part of the history God is still writing and they can play a purposeful role.

To engage in this study of history students explore the California Standard based text published by Holt, United States History. They also interact with primary documents, a myriad of additional readings, internet resources, and occasionally local experts in the field. Art, drama, creative writing, films, research, graphic organizers, individual and group projects, debates, charts, maps, diagrams, and more engage all student learning styles and enhance actual understanding of the facts being reviewed.

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