Course Description

  • Upon reading novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, students will apply critical thought and communication skills to produce essays and interdisciplinary projects that demonstrate understanding and application of standards.

Proficiency learning targets for Grade 8 ELA

  • Literature and Informational Text:

    • Cite textual evidence that most strongly supports the analysis (8.4.1.1)

    • Determine what the text says explicitly (8.4.1.1)

    • Summarize a text. (8.4.2.2)

    • Explain how a theme develops over the course of a text.  (8.4.2.2)

    • Use context clues to define words and phrases, including figurative language. (8.4.4.4)

    • Explain how words and phrases contribute to tone and mood. (8.4.4.4)

    • Self-select a variety of student-appropriate texts based on interest. (8.4.10.10)

    Speaking and Listening:

    • Participate in a variety of discussions on substantive topics. (8.9.1.1)

    • Prepare for discussions by gathering evidence and perspectives. (8.9.1.1)

    • Abide by commonly held rules, goals, and outcomes that define the purpose of the discussion. (8.9.1.1)

    Writing:

    Make and develop claims to support an argument. (8.7.1.1)

    • Support claims with sufficient evidence. (8.7.1.1)

    • Acknowledge counterclaims. (8.7.1.1)

    • Organize using formal academic writing. (8.7.1.1)

    • Produce clear and coherent writing. (8.7.4.4)

    • Organize and develop content using a formal writing process. (8.7.4.4)

    • Generate effective research questions. (8.7.7.7)

    • Develop an outline according to evidence gathered (8.7.7.7)

    • Integrate multiple types of credible sources to support research (8.7.8.8)

    • Provide accurate citations for evidence. (8.7.8.8)

    Language:

    • Correctly use grammar in speaking and writing. (8.11.1.1; 8.11.2.2)

    • Correctly use punctuation and spelling in writing. (8.11.1.1; 8.11.2.2)

    • Use context clues and word structure to determine meaning of words. (8.11.4.4)

Materials Used

    • Students will need charged ChromeBooks daily

    • IXL

    • Scope Magazine

    • Kellygallagher.com’s article of the day

    • Gratz, Alan. Refugee. Scholastic Press, 2017. 

    • Jiang, Ji-li and David Henry Hwang. Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution. Reprint ed., Harper, 2018. 

    • Orwell, George. Animal Farm. 50th Anniversary ed., Signet, 2004. 

    • “All Summer in a Day”

    • “The Monkey’s Paw”

    • “Harrison Bergeron”

    • “The Raven”

    • “O Cap’t, My Cap’t

    • “Flanders Fields”

    • “The Partisan”