8th Grade English Language Arts
The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.
Semester 1
Unit 1
- Cite evidence to support the inferences made while reading
- Analyze how different points of view create effects like suspense and humor
- Determine the meaning (connotative, denotative, figurative) of words in a text
- Use the writing process to create a narrative news story
- Elaborate to make the reader care about the news story
- Use writer's craft techniques to make the story more readable and engaging
- Edit writing for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Unit 2
- Analyze how different structures in texts contribute to their style and meaning
- Explain how setting, dialogue and events affect character and plot development
- Tell how a theme develops over the course of the text
- Recognize and explain an author's use of irony
- Analyze what parts of a filmed production stay faithful to the text or script
- Use the writing process to compose literary analysis of a story
- Revise and edit writing to improve clarity and organization
Semester 2
Unit 3
- Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text
- Compose an objective summary of a text
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
- Analyze an author's point of view or purpose
- Research a topic using credible sources
- Use the writing process to compose an argumentative essay
- Develop an argument with clear claims and counterclaims
- Revise and edit writing to improve clarity and organization
Unit 4
- Read and comprehend grade level text across a range of fictional genres
- Read and comprehend grade level informational text covering a wide array of topics
- Use the writing process to compose a multi-genre essay or presentation
- Present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently
- Use technology to produce and publish essay or presentation
- Interact and collaborate with others