English

Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension
These skills are systematically taught in LV language arts coursework. These skills are the cornerstone for all subjects and are of paramount importance to establish a solid foundation for learning.

  • Determining Narrative Elements
  • Understanding Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots
  • Locating information
  • Realizing Cause and Effect
  • Summarizing
  • Drawing Conclusions
  • Understanding Symbolism                          
  • Thematic Elements
  • Poetic Devices
  • Literary Devices
  • Comparing and Contrasting
  • Identifying Main Ideas / Details
  • Sequencing
  • Identifying Elements of Non-Fiction
  • Realizing the Author’s Purpose
  • Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
  • Exploring Word Relations
Grades 7-12
LV English classes comprehensively cover reading, writing, grammar, mechanics, and spelling.

Reading: Students will learn to analyze literature through the use of great novels and a reading anthology with practiced and tested reading skills.

Instructed and Tested Areas of Understanding in Literature:
  • Plot and Setting
  • Character Analysis
  • Narrator and Voice
  • Comparing Themes
  • Irony and Ambiguity
  • Symbolism and Allegory
  • Poetry
  • Literary Criticism: Evaluating Style
  • Literary Criticism: Biographical and Historical Approach
  • Epic and Myth
  • Drama

Writing: Instruction includes the completion of a different type of paper every four weeks. Pre-writing and drafting worksheets and textbook reading fully instruct the students in the specifics of the writing genre, how to organize information, and to create strong thesis statements. Proofreading and polishing are taught and practiced in class and at home.

Essay Styles:
  • Literary Analysis
  • Comparison-Contrast
  • Persuasive
  • Problem-Solution
  • Research
  • Reflective
  • Autobiographical Narrative
  • Writing for Business
  • Other styles unique to each grade level

Grammar: Higher level grammar concepts are taught and reinforced with diagramming and ACT preparation using Holt Elements of Language.

Spelling: Higher level spelling is taught and tested through the 10th grade.


Classes meet on Mondays for 80 minutes and Fridays for 55 minutes.
Combined Grades
Our grade levels are combined as shown below. Homework and testing are grade specific for each elementary level. Writing is graded by the teacher with the student's actual grade level in mind.

Courses Include:
  • Language Arts 1-2
  • Language Arts 3-4
  • Language Arts 5-6
  • English A/B/I (grades 7-9)
  • English Rhetoric (grades 10-12)
  • British and World Literature (grades 11-12)
Grades 1-6
Students will build strong language skills and a love for reading in these interactive and engaging classes. Reading skills are developed and mastered while a love for literature is fostered through exposure to a wide range of classic literature, novels, short stories, and poetry.

Class time emphasizes activities which are well suited to a group setting and professional teacher interactions.
  • Review of select leveled coursework across the curriculum
  • Guided group instruction
  • Reading comprehension strategies and skills
  • Grammar tips and games
  • Writing instruction and guided writing activities
  • Literary Modeling
  • Vocabulary building activities
  • Phonics reinforcement
  • Fluency and speed reading support
  • Spelling games
  • Listening skills
  • Note taking skills
  • Dictation
  • Teamwork and leadership development
  • Literature discussions
  • Group projects
  • Reader’s Theater
  • Poetry skills
  • Biblical values and character development support
  • Public speaking and presentation skills
  • Critical Thinking skills
 
Coursework over each 2 year period may include (but is not limited to) the following:
  • Phonics understanding (grades 1-2)
  • Reading comprehension strategies and skills with critical thinking (see below)
  • Spelling skills
  • Vocabulary building
  • Fluency development
  • Grammar instruction with diagramming
  • Handwriting (print in grades 1-2, cursive grades 3-4)
  • Sentence construction
  • Paragraph development
  • Essay Writing
  • Editing Skills
  • Copy work of interesting literary works (grades 1-2)
  • Literary devices
  • Literature appreciation
  • Writing of various types:  personal stories, friendly letters, descriptive paragraphs, how-to paragraphs, research reports, persuasive essays, narrative stories, tall tales, book reports/reviews, poetry, compare-contrast essays, instructions, business letter, expressive essays, expository essays, news stories, and play writing
 
Classes meet for 80 minutes on Mondays.