Curriculum Information

Standards and Goals

Reading

Reading is the most important part of the eighth-grade English curriculum, so there is a strong emphasis on developing your reading skills. We will read a variety of genres: short stories, nonfiction, poetry, plays, novels, and others.
You will have assigned reading selections every week. You will have ample time to complete them, during which time you should take notes on the significant parts of the selections.
Read all parts of the selection, including the "literary focus."
Answer the study questions for each selection (mentally or in writing). For questions you aren't sure of, come ask me about them.
You will have a quiz on each reading assignment. Quizzes are closed book but use of pre-approved handwritten notes is allowed.
The focus of your quizzes will be on comprehension and literary elements. Quizzes may be multiple choice, short answer, or a mix of the two.
If you are struggling with reading comprehension, please come and talk with me about it.
CP classes only: You may complete all study questions after the selection for ten extra points. Answers must be in complete sentences and may be used on the quiz.
Any student scoring below 60 on a reading quiz may be required to complete a remediation activity to strengthen comprehension.

Tips for Reading Success

If there are study questions at the end of the selection, answer them. You may bring them to me during homeroom or after school so I can check them for understanding and help clear up any confusion.
Keep a list of names from each selection. Next to the name, write what that character did in the selection.
Look up words you don’t know if they are not defined for you in the text.
Write down a list of questions you have about the selection. Before or after class, ask me the questions.
Fill out a “Story Map” for each selection. You can download one here.
Read aloud with an adult. Have them help you clear up any misunderstandings you may have.
Take notes on the selection and bring it in for help on the quiz.
Do NOT have someone read the selection to you or listen to the audio version. This is a different skill from reading, and it will not help your ability to understand what you read.

Vocabulary Workshop

You are provided time during homeroom to complete the activities in your Vocabulary Workshop workbook, so you do not have to complete them for homework.
Workbook activities are examined for completion and spot-checked for accuracy.
Answers are available for you to check your completed work. See me for details.
If you lose your book, you must purchase another one. In the meantime, you can access the digital workbook (Honors and CP only) here and put answers on paper.

Vocabulary

Learning new vocabulary is critical to your ability to thrive as a communicator.
Vocabulary units are due about every two weeks.
Each unit contains twenty words, and there are fifteen units overall. You can find the words here (Honors and CP only). If you have been issued a Vocabulary Workshop workbook, they are available there.
There will be a vocabulary quiz after each unit.
There will be a final vocabulary exam that will include all 300 words, so it is important to keep studying words even after a unit is complete.
Vocabulary quizzes will consist of context clues, synonyms, antonyms, true/false, word usage, analogies, and writing words in context.
Each unit quiz will have a review section.
Every day in class, we will examine the words, analyzing their stems, using them in context, and practicing their usage. Take notes and study your notes every night.

Grammar

A fundamental understanding of English grammar is critical to becoming an effective writer. Additionally, it will aid you in learning foreign languages. Finally, in a country filled with diverse cultures, our language helps bind us together; therefore, it is imperative that we develop a thorough understanding of it.
In our class, we will study grammar daily (DOL). Take notes in class and study your notes every night.
We will have one DOL test every quarter, and grammar may also be a part of our quarter exams.

Speeches

Learning to speak effectively is an important skill, so it is important to practice its development as much as possible.
Every quarter, you will deliver a speech for your classmates. It will be based on your writing assignment essay.
The criteria for your speech are located here, and you will be graded based on those criteria.

Literature

A better understanding of literature is a requirement of the eighth-grade English curriculum and provides us with a number of valuable qualities. As noted above, you will read a variety of genres and, through them, will develop a deeper appreciation of literature.
You are also required to learn about a variety of literary concepts, all of which are provided in your textbook.

Writing

Improving your ability to communicate through writing is an important goal of the English curriculum.
We will practice a variety of writing types, including expository, business, argumentative, creative, and research-based.
You will frequently have short writing assignments based on different kinds of writing. This will be factored into your weekly quiz grade.
Every quarter you will be assigned a longer writing assignment (four or more paragraphs).
The grading criteria for major writing assignments can be found here.
You will adapt your major essay to be delivered as a classroom speech.

Research

LifeLit

In developing your understanding and enjoyment of literature, you must answer three questions about everything you read: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it matter?
In response to the third question, our reading assignments are often a springboard for LifeLit—class discussions on topics very important to you as rising high schoolers. From a curricular standpoint, these discussions teach you to use critical thinking skills to delve deeper into a variety of texts in order to make connections between literature and real life. Additionally, they teach active listening and speaking skills that are required by our state standards.
I encourage you to talk with your parents about each of our weekly discussions. Over the years, students and parents consistently assess this part of the class as the most positive. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Page updated

Report abuse