English Language Arts Curriculum

8th Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will debate significant global issues through comparing, contrasting, and presenting solutions via various media sources and fiction/nonfiction text.

Outcomes and Components:

LA.8.2

Students will analyze how an author uses point of view, imagery, and figurative language in order to create tone and mood.

Pacing  

Instruct/

Assess

Component Code

Component

Standard(s)

 

LA.8.2.1

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

8.RL.1

 

LA.8.2.2

Interpret a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.

8.RL.2

 

LA.8.2.3

Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

8.RL.3

 

LA.8.2.4

Interpret the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative language and meanings, word relationships and nuances; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

8.RL.4


 
 

LA.8.2.5

Interpret figures of speech, use relationships between particular words to better understand each of the words, and distinguish among connotations of words with similar denotations. 

8.L.5a

8.L.5b

8.L.5c

 

LA.8.2.6

Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of eighth grade level independently and proficiently.

8.RL.10

 

LA.8.2.7

Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences.

8.L.1a

 

LA.8.2.8

Apply the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, using an ellipsis to indicate omission, and spelling correctly when writing.

8.L.2a

8.L.2b

8.L.2c


 
 

LA.8.2.9

Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting, graphics, and media.  Develop the topic with relevant facts and quotations, use appropriate transitions, maintain a formal style and provide a conclusion.
 
 

8.W.2a

8.W.2b

8.W.2c

8.W.2d

8.W.2e

8.W.2f

 

LA.8.2.10

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 

8.W.4

 

LA.8.2.11

Provide evidence from grade level literature to support analysis, reflection, and research.

8.W.9a

Academic Vocabulary: imagery, tone and mood, figurative language

Content Vocabulary: antagonize, persecute, aggravate, lectern, scurry, whittle, begrudge, fret, gouge, morbid, wallow, browbeat, persevere