This first of two content-specific pedagogy courses, this one with a middle school emphasis, is designed for teacher candidates majoring in English and planning careers as K-12 English language arts teachers. In conjunction with a co-requisite practicum, the course includes building a functioning learning community, including English language arts pedagogy, national and New Jersey standards for English language arts, lesson and unit planning, classroom management, and attention to learning among the diverse populations who attend New Jersey schools.