Literature and Composition : Grades 6-8
For students in Grades 6-8, the English and Language Arts curriculum is divided into two separate courses: written composition and literature. The separation of focus allows students to engage with each portion at their own pace. They are then able to use the skills acquired to work productively across both areas. Course subjects vary from year to year, but have included examining conflict and justice, Shakespeare, memoir, poetry, adventure, mystery, and camaraderie. Actively engaging with age and ability-appropriate titles and learning prompts allows our students a certain ownership over their literary interests. It offers students a multitude of topics for discussion and presentation. It also facilitates skill acquisition in spelling, grammar, terminology, style and varying responses of complexity and type.
Double English: Grades 9-12
English for students in Grades 9-12 is called “Double English” for one very good reason! The class meets twice as often as a regular academic class and requires twice as much work. Classes are spent reading and discussing the current works and themes of the class. They are formatted through discussion, lectures/topic-based, and multi-modal activities. This allows all students to engage critically and creatively with academic, fiction, non-fiction, and dramatic texts. The goal of this course is guided by the expectations and requirements set forth by the Massachusetts frameworks, as well as the coming requirements for post-secondary educational standards.
College Level Course Opportunities
Those students with a particular passion for written expression or literacy are encouraged to take courses through the Harvard University Extension School in Cambridge, MA during their Junior and/or Senior years in order to prepare themselves for university-level work and comprehension. This does not replace “Double English” but acts as a supplement workload. This is supported through our flexible teaching styles and can be supported, if necessary through tutoring or teacher support here at school.
Homework
Homework assignments, individual or group-based, are due daily. Students may read, write a variety of different styled responses from narrative to expository to research, engage with films or visual literacy prompts, or engage with audio-based prompts from radio, podcasts, or audio books. Homework is focused on supporting student creativity through written output and ensuring their potential in areas of expressive language can be met with success. As with all courses at Broccoli Hall, students are encouraged to self-advocate and negotiate their course loads and/or needs for adjusted expectations in relation to their abilities, interests, and potential for success.
