Math:  

Big Idea #1: Introduction to Functions

• 5.a show and explain that a function is a rule that assigns to each input exactly one output (8.FGR.5.1)

• 5.b identify and describe examples of functions that are linear or nonlinear within realistic situations; sketch a graph that exhibits the qualitative features of a function that has been described verbally (e.g., distance versus time graphs)  (8.FGR.5.2)

Big Idea #2: Introducing Slope-Intercept Form by Connecting Proportional Equations to Nonproportional Equations

• 4.a use the equation y = mx (i.e., proportional) for a line through the origin to derive the equation y = mx + b (i.e., non-proportional) for a line intersecting the vertical axis at b (8.PAR.4.1)

• 4.b show and explain that the graph of an equation representing a real-world situation in two variables is the set of all its solutions plotted in the coordinate plane (8.PAR.4.2)

• 5.g construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities; determine the rate of change (i.e., slope) and initial value (i.e., y-intercept) of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x,y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph  (8.FGR.5.7)

• 5.h explain the meaning of the rate of change (i.e., slope) and initial value (i.e., y-intercept) of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its graph or a table of values  (8.FGR.5.8)

 ELA:  

LA8.T.C.2.c: Analyzing Historical Context & Background Information

• Concept: Authors write within specific historical, geographic, cultural, or situational settings that directly impact text development.

• Key Skills:

  • Identify when, where, and under what circumstances a text was written.

  • Analyze how background events or cultural conditions shape the author’s message, settings, or character actions.

• Study Tip: Ask yourself: "How would this text change if it were written in a different time period or location?"
  
  

LA8.T.SS.1.a: Analyzing Organizational Structures

• Concept: Authors modify organizational structures (e.g., cause/effect, problem/solution, chronological order, compare/contrast) and features to convey meaning and target audiences.

• Key Skills:

  • Identify how an author structures sections or paragraphs.

  • Explain why the author chose a specific organizational structure to achieve their main purpose.

LA8.T.SS.2.a: Analyzing Figurative, Connotative, & Literary Devices

• Concept: Strategic language choices create tone, mood, and deeper meaning in a text.

• Key Terminology:

  • Denotation: The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

  • Connotation: The emotional association or implied feeling of a word (e.g., assertive vs. pompous).

  • Figurative Language & Literary Devices: Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, symbolism, irony, etc.

• Key Skills: Explain why an author selected specific words/devices to impact the reader's perspective or emotional response.

LA8.T.T.1.b: Analyzing Plot Structures, Conflict, & Narrative Devices

• Concept: Writers use narrative structures and techniques together to craft an intended effect (such as suspense, tension, or humor).

• Key Elements:

  • Plot Elements: Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

  • Conflict: Internal (man vs. self) and External (man vs. man, nature, society).

  • Narrative Devices: Flashback, foreshadowing, pacing.

• Key Skills: Trace how a device like foreshadowing builds suspense leading up to the climax.

LA8.T.T.1.c: Analyzing Theme Development

• Concept: A theme is a central message, lesson, or moral about life conveyed through a literary text.

• Key Skills:

  • Analyze how characters, plot events, and structural choices interact to reveal a theme.

  • Support statements about theme using specific textual evidence.

LA8.T.T.2.a: Analyzing Expository Techniques

• Concept: Informational and expository texts use structured techniques to present complex ideas clearly.

• Key Elements:

  • Multiple main ideas, supporting facts, and statistics.

  • Formatting features (subheadings, diagrams, charts, bold text).

  • Effective concluding statements providing a sense of closure.

• Key Skills: Track how an author introduces, develops, and connects multiple main ideas throughout a text.

LA8.T.RA.1.a: Research & Inquiry Q

• Concept: Inquiry starts with generating effective questions to guide investigation into complex topics.

• Key Skills:

  • Distinguish broad, unfocused questions from targeted, researchable questions.

  • Formulate questions that uncover connections between related topics and ideas.

LA8.T.RA.2.a: Documenting Sources (MLA Guidelines)

• Concept: Accurate research requires tracking sources and adhering to standard citation formats.

• Key Skills:

  • Consult MLA guidelines to locate and record necessary source information (author, title, publisher, container, publication date, URL/location) across print, digital, and multimodal media.

  • Distinguish core citation components based on source genre.

LA8.L.V.3.b & LA8.L.V.3.d: Context 

• Word Relationships (8.L.V.3.b): Use synonyms, antonyms, analogies, and surrounding sentence context to determine the meaning of unknown or multiple-meaning words.

• Reference Resources (8.L.V.3.d): Use glossaries, dictionaries, thesauruses, and digital search tools to clarify, verify, or confirm precise word meanings.

LA8.T.SS.1.c: Transitions for Cohesion

• Concept: Smooth transitions connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs to create cohesive writing.

• Key Skills:

  • Use varied transition words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., furthermore, on the other hand, consequently, in contrast) to clarify relationships between points.

LA8.T.SS.2.c: Formal vs. Informal Style

• Concept: Writing style must match the intended audience, purpose, and disciplinary context.

• Comparison:

  • Formal Style: Precise vocabulary, objective tone, full grammatical structures, absence of slang or contractions.

  • Informal Style: Casual tone, conversational phrasing, contractions, colloquial expressions.