Language Arts

The Willows Language Arts curriculum develops thoughtful, critical readers and articulate writers. The program emphasizes the importance of careful reading in all subject areas. In the primary grades, teachers use a systematic approach to beginning reading instruction by emphasizing sound/symbol associations. Teachers routinely meet with students in small groups, or individually, to teach decoding and to monitor comprehension. Teachers read aloud a variety of literary genres to facilitate comprehension, to build vocabulary and to foster excitement about reading. In the middle and upper elementary grades, teachers model and teach active reading strategies so that students become independent and proficient readers of poetry, fiction and nonfiction texts. Writing instruction begins with an emphasis on sound/symbol recognition and letter formation. As students develop a facility with writing, teachers instruct students to use the stages of the writing process to develop ideas and publish drafts. Students become writers of expository and creative compositions, with an emphasis on mechanics as well as individual voice. Thematic-based instruction throughout the Lower School integrates Language Arts and Social Studies.

Middle School Core

6th Grade Core

Core is the integration of English and History based on the California State Frameworks for both of these disciplines. In sixth grade, students study Ancient Civilizations, with a focus on Early Man, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Greece. Students ask the question, "What is culture?" and explore the past's influence on modern civilizations. Students read non-fiction selections, practice note taking, and participate in hands-on projects to build their understanding.

In each unit of study, students read historical fiction that relates to the time period and provides them the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills. Students build vocabulary with weekly lists comprised of words from their reading assignments. Students also develop writing skills, with a focus on creating strong paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details. Throughout the year, regular research projects introduce and reinforce basic research skills.

Drama complements the sixth grade Core curriculum through frequent exercises and activities. As the students become active participants in their learning, they gain greater appreciation for their topics of study.

    September - December:
  • Early Man, The Concept of Culture
  • Novel Study: Maroo of the Winter Caves by Ann Turnbull
  • When Night Eats the Moon by Joanne Findon
  • The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
  • The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
  • History Resource: A Message of Ancient Days, Houghton Mifflin, publisher
  • Research: The Big Dig Project
    January - March:
  • Ancient Greece and Democracy
  • Novel Study: Inside the Walls of Troy by Clemence McLaren
  • Daniel's Story by Carol Matas
  • History Resource: A Message of Ancient Days, Houghton Mifflin, publisher
  • Research: Individual Mythology Research Report
  • Athens vs. Sparta debate
    April - June: Ancient Rome
  • Novel Study: Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
  • History Resource: A Message of Ancient Days, Houghton Mifflin, publisher
  • Research: Daily Life in Ancient Rome Research Report

7th Grade Core

In seventh grade, students explore World Cultures, with emphasis on teen culture around the world. Students begin the year by looking at teenage culture in this country, examining each decade from the 1950s to the present day. Students then broaden their study to Africa, Japan, China, and India. Students investigate different cultures around the world through non-fiction reading, research projects, and hands-on activities; through group discussions, they compare and contrast these cultures with their own.

In each unit of study, students read related literature from a variety of genres. They examine issues of plot and theme, and class discussions challenge students to think critically about the content and form of the material. Students continue to develop create and formal writing skills. Emphasis is placed on the five-paragraph essay format as they learn to develop thesis statements, generate supporting details, and focus on clear expression.

    History Resources:
  • Across the Centuries, Houghton Mifflin, publishers
  • Decades of the 20th Century by Stephen Feinstein
  • No More Strangers Now, Interviews by Tim McKee
    September and October:
  • Teenage Culture in the U.S.
  • Novel Study: What's in a Name by Ellen Wittlinger
  • The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
    November and December:
  • Africa
  • Novel Study: No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa by Beverley Naidoo
  • Research: African Country Research Report
  • African Tribe Group Project
    January and February:
  • Japan
  • Novel Study: The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler
  • Research: Japanese Customs - Art and Poetry Project
    March and April:
  • China
  • Novel Study: Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah
  • Research: Chinese Culture Research Report
    May and June:
  • India
  • Novel Study: Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

8th Grade Core

In eighth grade, students study American History from 1860 to 1960, with an emphasis on identity, race relations, and tolerance. Students explore the Civil War, the Great Depression, Immigration, World War II, and the American Civil Rights Movement. Students practice effective strategies for reading non-fiction and refine their note-taking skills in preparation for the challenges of high school. Students develop research skills through short-term research assignments. Each student also takes on a yearlong independent research project, called the "I-Search," in which students explore a topic of personal interest and create an in-depth research paper and presentation.

In each unit of study, students read related literature in a variety of different genres. They explore issues of plot, theme, character development, and author style. Students refine their writing skills with a continued focus on the five-paragraph essay. They also explore other writing formats, including letters, journals, and persuasive writing.

    History Resource:
  • The Story of US, Volumes 6 - 10 by Joy Hakim
    September and October:
  • The Underground Railroad and the Civil War
  • Novel Study: Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
  • With Every Drop of Blood by James Collier and Christopher Collier
  • Research: I-Search, Civil War Research Report
    November and December:
  • Immigration
  • Novel Study: Immigrant Kids by Russell Friedman
  • The Fat of the Land by Anzia Yezierska
  • Leon's Story by Leon Walter Tillage
  • Research: I-Search, Immigrant Interview Project
    January and February:
  • The Great Depression
  • Novel Study: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
  • The Red Pony by John Steinbeck
  • Research: I-Search, Music of the '20s and '30s Project
    March and April:
  • World War II
  • Novel Study: Night by Elie Wiesel
  • Hiroshima by Laurence Yep
  • Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne W. Houston
  • Research: I-Search, D-Day Research Project
    May and June:
  • WWII, The Cold War, Civil Rights
  • Novel Study: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
  • To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Research: I-Search, Civil Rights Leaders Research Project

8th Grade Honors Core

Honors Core is a seminar offered on Wednesdays as a supplement to 8th Grade Core. This course is designed for students with exceptional academic ability. Participants in this class explore the Core curriculum in greater depth through additional reading, writing, and research assignments that focus on developing students' writing and critical thinking skills. Admission to this class is contingent on the previous year's Core grades, teacher recommendations, and a demonstrated commitment to learning.

    Reading List
  • A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
  • Maus by Art Spiegelman
  • Animal Farm by George Orwell
  • A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
  • short fiction by Dorothy Parker, F. Scott Fitzgerald