Teaching English Language Arts Grades 5-9 (Minor)
Minor
Teaching English language arts in grades 5-9
Inspire the next generation of middle school readers and writers with a teaching English grades 5-9 minor. A minor in teaching English language arts for grades 5-9 builds your skills in reading, writing and supporting diverse students. With extensive classroom experience, you’ll graduate ready to teach in middle school English classrooms.
Program Snapshot
Why choose to teach English language arts grades 5-9?
As a student in our teaching English language arts 5-9 minor, you’ll join a close-knit community of aspiring educators and faculty mentors who support your growth through coursework, field experiences and professional engagement.
You'll develop strategies for:
- Designing engaging and inclusive English language arts curricula.
- Creating lesson plans that meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Implementing a culturally sustaining approach to middle school teaching.
Courses include Young Adult Literature, African American Literature, LGBTQ Literature, Creative Writing and Teaching Literature in Secondary Schools, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to lead engaging English classrooms.
With 60+ hours of classroom experience before student teaching, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Work directly with students: Support middle school readers in local classrooms.
- Co-teach and collaborate: Partner with experienced teachers to design and deliver lessons.
- Lead small group discussions: Help students analyze and interpret literature.
- Provide writing support: Offer virtual feedback to middle school students.
- Refine your teaching skills: Design and record lessons for feedback or online instruction.
Completing the B.S. in Secondary Education with a teaching English grades 5-9 minor qualifies you for recommendation to the Michigan State Board of Education for a Secondary Standard Certificate.
What sets our teaching English language arts grades 5-9 minor apart?
In CMU’s English education program, you can:
- Learn from award-winning faculty: Study with published authors and experienced educators.
- Expand your network: Join the National Council of Teachers of English student organization.
- Showcase your work: Present original research at state or national conferences.
- Publish your writing: Submit poetry, fiction or nonfiction to Central Review, our literary journal.
- Gain professional experience: Work as a Writing Consultant in our Writing Center, earning income while building your résumé.
Real-world teaching experience: Myia’s story
From day one, Myia Bunker stepped into the classroom as both a student and a teacher. Through our co-teaching model, she gains hands-on experience when leading lessons and working with students.
“It’s cool that I get to lead my own small groups because it makes me see that this is my future and something I’m going to love to do.” – Myia Bunker
With real-world classroom experience before student teaching, you'll graduate confident and ready to lead.
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