The 5-8 grade English Language Arts team at Innovation Academy Charter School meets regularly throughout the year to align our curriculum vertically.  The goal is to communicate which state standards are emphasized at each grade level in order to most successfully support student learning.  In addition to rubric pieces, novel units, quizzes, and creative projects, students also take four tests throughout the year which are modeled after the state MCAS exam.  The data from these Achievement Network tests is used to immediately inform teachers on which standards students need additional support to succeed. 

Fifth grade ELA focuses on teaching basic grammar, paragraph writing, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.  In order to assist in building foundational reading skills and tools, all fifth graders are also required to take a reading course titled Critical Thinking and Reading.  Sixth grade ELA concentrates on five paragraph essay development, persuasive writing, storytelling, and drama skills. Seventh and eighth grade ELA classes build skills in note-taking and more complex writing, including research writing, citing sources, and bibliographies.  The goal is to prepare students for success in high school.

All ELA curriculum values our four school outcomes.  For example, students learn and practice oral presentation skills and oral reading (Effective Communication); students learn and practice strong, helpful peer conferencing skills (Community Membership); students learn and practice study skills for long term quizzes and tests (Self-Direction); and students learn and practice helpful test taking and Active Reading strategies to inform reading comprehension (Problem Solving).