Language Arts Philosophy

Canton's educational philosophy states that a civilized society needs people who can communicate, work, and live together with others. The Canton Language Arts Curriculum is instrumental in encouraging such capabilities, not only for understanding and enjoying the advances of society, but also for striving to preserve human dignity. Concerned with this development, teachers imbue students with a desire for knowledge and an awareness of the power and beauty of the written and spoken word. Competency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking is fostered by an integrated language arts program which is incorporated into the total school community. Students become enthusiastic learners, empowered to be appreciative, curious, and skeptical. This process results in the perpetuation of literacy and in an enriched life for each student.

Goal Statement

Language Arts instruction should result in:

• The ability to communicate effectively in written and oral forms.
• Functional and esthetic reading competencies for independent and continuous learning.
• An awareness of one's own thinking strategies and ability to utilize them in a variety of situations.   

Language Arts Position Statement

Canton's Middle and High Schools' Language Arts program is based on the principle that nothing is truly learned until it becomes part of living. For example, literature is meaningless unless it enriches the life of the reader, writing is a pointless exercise unless it helps the writer to realize some purpose, and correct spelling and conventional usage are worthless unless they are used in writing and speaking. The instruction in all basic uses of communication that is begun in the elementary school is continued with varying emphasis in the high school. Teaching techniques, special activities and materials, and standards of achievement are consistent with the mental development of students.

The English program not only seeks to meet the immediate common and individual communication needs of pupils, but also prepares the students to be adaptive in their future career and educational pursuits. It helps them set up standards of judgment, honesty, taste, and discrimination. Through the program, students learn to use those language forms necessary for communication. They discover the special personal and social values of literature. Creative writing and speaking activities challenge their imagination and originality. They also learn to use and evaluate mass media. They learn to read, listen, view, and think critically and to accept the responsibility for correctness and honesty in their own writing and speaking. Ultimately, world understanding must rest on ability and integrity in communication. Therefore, the study of communication arts and skills presents a special opportunity and challenge. The English program of Canton Middle and High Schools is designed to meet this opportunity and to challenge in a manner commensurate with the capabilities and maturity of the young people enrolled in the two schools.