English Department

Carrie Dirmeikis - Curriculum Leader

Grade 6

Students read in a number of contexts to scaffold the development of comprehension and literary interpretation skills. These contexts include supported read-alouds, whole class study of single texts, collaborative literature circle groups, and independent reading. Explicit instruction focuses on a number of reading strategies which include recalling and identifying important details, questioning a text, drawing inferences, making connections, and synthesizing information in the service of developing larger theories. All reading instruction is intended to lead students to read with purpose and for meaning.

Grade 7

Students read a variety of genre as they develop comprehension and literary interpretation skills. Throughout the year, students experience interactive read-alouds, whole class study of single texts, collaborative literature circle groups, and independent reading. Explicit instruction focuses on practicing reading strategies, which include retellings, questioning, drawing inferences, making connections, and synthesizing information in the service of developing larger theories. All instruction is intended to lead students into independent application of the skills they learn.

Grade 8

Students read across a variety of genre as they develop comprehension and literary interpretation skills. Throughout the year, students experience interactive read-alouds, whole class study of single texts, collaborative literature circle groups, and independent reading. Explicit instruction focuses on applying reading strategies which include questioning, drawing inferences, making connections, and synthesizing information in the service of developing larger theories as they move from concrete to abstract and analytical thinking. All instruction is intended to lead students into independent application of the skills they learn. All reading instruction is intended to lead students to read with purpose and for meaning.

Literacy Boost in all grades is offered to learners who would benefit from small group direct instruction in order to maintain/accelerate their literacy learning. Teacher recommendations and students' literacy performance is considered in selecting deserving candidates.

The WMS Writing Center
All Wayland Middle School students are welcome to grow their writing skills in the WMS Writing Center. Located in a cozy corner of our school, library, the writing center is ope most blocks fo the school day. Students, with permission from their study hall or classroom teachers, are invited to bring a piece of writing from and class and confer one-on-one with a writing teacher. During the conference, student and teacher may plan, draft, revise or edit together with the goal of helping a student's writing piece and skill set become the strongest it can be. Writing Center teachers collaborate and communicate with classroom teachers to target instruction toward the unique needs of each the individual writer, and students are welcome to drop in and use the center as often as they like. We encourage students to make the writing center a habit and watch their writing skills strengthen over time.

Name

Grade

Email

Extension

Emily Anderson

8

 [email protected]

2401 

   

Carrie Dirmeikis

 7 & 8

 [email protected]

2413

Luann Duesterberg

7

 [email protected]

2415

Lori DiGisi

All 

 [email protected]

2412

Stephanie Galvani

 6

 [email protected]

2419

Tom Halpin

 6

 [email protected]

2422

Kristen Offord

7 & 8

 [email protected]

2443

Meeghan Peirce

8

 [email protected]

2445

   

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