English Language Arts

In Ralston's ELA classes, we focus on the acquisition of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through participation in a balanced language arts program.

Ralston's ELA department utilizes the standards-based curriculum, StudySync by McGraw-Hill, which has been approved by the BRSSD Board of Trustees.  With both hard copy and digital components, StudySync provides rigorous and high interest lessons for our students.  Teachers also imbed auxiliary lessons and materials to make sure that all students are challenged and supported in the classroom.  Our curriculum meets the Common Core State Standards for ELA which can be found here.

6th Grade English Language Arts

Description coming soon

7th Grade English Language Arts

Ralston’s 7th Grade English Language Arts curriculum is a comprehensive program that combines traditional classroom assignments and resources with our online curriculum, Study Sync. Throughout the year, students will read a variety of engaging texts, develop their writing skills, participate in discussions and presentations, and strengthen their ability to think critically and communicate effectively.

While the curriculum provides a structured framework, instruction is adapted to meet the needs and interests of each class. Units, texts, and assignments may vary in order and pacing as we respond to student learning, incorporate shared resources, and make the most of opportunities that arise throughout the school year.

Major areas of study include:

• Literature: Realistic fiction, short stories, poetry, and drama

• Core Texts: The Giver, The Outsiders, Romeo and Juliet, and Something about America

• Writing: Narrative, argumentative, and informational/explanatory writing

• Speaking & Listening: Oral presentations, collaborative discussions, and effective communication

• Reading & Analysis: Close reading, literary analysis, critical thinking, and evidence-based responses

Our goal is to help students become confident readers, thoughtful writers, effective communicators, and engaged thinkers while developing a deeper appreciation for literature and language.

8th Grade English Language Arts

Ralston’s 8th Grade English Language Arts’ curriculum is structured around four major units. 

• Unit One focuses on analyzing themes through studying Lord of the Flies by William Golding and comparing it to “The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. 

• Unit Two explores dystopian elements through analyzing Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and selected short stories. 

• Unit Three examines race, gender, and defines access to the “American Dream” by focusing on research pathways to synthesize informational and historical texts with Lorainne Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun. 

• Unit Four delves into a Shakespearean comedy, as students read and perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream and create modern adaptations of the text. 

Alongside literary study and analysis, students receive continuous instruction in grammar, spelling, stem vocabulary (including Greek and Latin roots), note-taking strategies, reading and annotation skills, presentations, Socratic seminars, and academic writing, including multi-paragraph literary analysis and synthesis essays, evidence-based writing, narratives and other genres. Class time is focused on direct instruction, collaborative group work, and independent reading and writing.