Writing is one of the most demanding tasks our students face.  In the past decade much has been discovered about how to teach successful writing in the school setting.  Teachers and researchers have come to realize that successful writing should be broken down into various phases of work.

This approach is known as "the writing process".  Effective use of the writing process makes even a challenging piece of writing more manageable and rewarding for students and allows effective writing instruction for the teacher. 

This year the middle school will use the writing workshop setting as the instructional base.  Writing workshop enables both students and the teacher to respond to another’s writing.  Students learn to dissect not only their own writing, but others as well.

Initially, most students define good writing as a piece that is neat with mechanical and spelling correctness.  Beyond that, many have no other definition.

The goal of the workshop as it progresses is to help students define and recognize elements of good, effective writing and begin to utilize them in their personal work. 

READING

The Explorers’ middle school teaching staff will take a team approach for helping students become fascinated and fixated within the pages of books.  Ms. Bowerman will be inspiring our 8th grade; Ms. Stroup, 7th grade, and Mr. Keller, 6th grade.

Selected titles for each division will integrate with topics with this year's school-wide history theme; “The American Experience”.  Course outlines and information will be posted for each grade listed at top of this page.

In addition to assigned reading, students will spend 15-minutes of class free-reading with books from home, the public library or The Summit’s new library section.

A collection of age-appropriate books, catering to all levels of reading and interests, is now available.  There are also a growing number of bilingual and Spanish selections.  In addition to groupings within their classrooms, 4th and 5th grade will also be able to sign-out books with help from their teachers. 

Explorer staff also have reference books, supplemental titles, and periodicals related to their subjects available for use within classrooms.

Thanks to all the parents that have continued to donate used books and additional resources from our bi-annual Scholastic Book Fair.