To provide a challenging, varied program which encourages critical thinking, comprehension, and skills development through a rich reading and writing based curriculum. Emphasis is on building competence in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills as outlined in the State standards, SCUSD Board- approved standards, and the Sam Brannan Middle School department goals.
The McDougal Littell literature book is used as the core anthology.
* Core reading through class novel study
* Independent Reading with required book projects
* Computer-Assisted Individual Novel Study
* Oral History Project
* Debate (Cross age program involving J.F. Kennedy students)
* Units on poetry, research skills, report writing, biographies....
* Language Arts Anthology which allows students to be published authors
* Interdisciplinary studies with history and science departments
* Young Author Programs
* Speech Contest
* Sacramento Bee & SCUSD Spelling Bees
* English Language Development classes and strategies
* Computer based writing and remedial programs
* Honors Program
* Trips to National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, as well as local performances (Honors)
Sam Brannan has a full time reading coach.
