8th Grade Course
SEMESTER ONE
Unit 1: Author Study Edgar Allan Poe
Essential Question:
How does Edgar Allan Poe use the elements of literature to create his desired effect?
Texts:
Short Story: “The Tell-Tale Heart” (820L)
Poem: “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
Poem: “A Dream Within A Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe
Article: "How Edgar Allan Poe Became a Mascot of the Misunderstood" by Scott Peeples (1080L)
Article: "Student Guide: How to Analyze Characterization" by Actively Learn (800L)
Writing Piece/Project:
Short Answer Response with color-coding (APEPES)
5 Step Writing Process
Creative Narrative Writing- Allusion, elements of suspense, and pacing
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SEMESTER TWO
Unit 2: Flowers for Algernon
Essential Questions:
How important is human connection?
What is the line between scientific advancement and ethics?
Texts:
Short Story: “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes (910L)
Poetry: “The Lesson of the Moth” by Don Marquis
Article: "Bullying Alters 'Bugs' in the Gut, Hamster Data Show" by Faith Rudebusch (970L)
Article: "Student Guide: 6 Ways to Be a Good Classmate" by Actively Learn (870L)
Article: "Practice Won't Make Perfect, But Deliberate Practice Might" by Ashley Hamer (1200L)
Article: "Science Fiction Builds Mental Resiliency in Young People" by Esther Jones (1100L)
Writing Pieces/Project:
Article: Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay by Grace Fleming (1120L)
Argumentative Essay
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Unit 3: It's a Wonderful Life
Essential Question:
How can one achieve a wonderful life?
Texts:
Short Story: "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern
Film: It's a Wonderful Life
Article: "To Feel Happier, We Have to Resolve to Live the Life We Envolved to Live"
by Arash Javanbakht (930L)
Article: "Dads' Time to Shine Online: How Laughter Can Connect and Heal"
by Ros Ben-Moshe,(1020L)
Article: “The Psychology of New Year's Resolutions” by Mark Griffiths (1000L)
Writing Pieces/ Projects:
Vision Boards
Writing Revolution: Because, But, So
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SEMESTER THREE
Unit 4: Poets Hughes & Whitman
Essential Questions:
What makes a poem democratic?
How do these poets use figurative language to explore the pursuit of the
American Dream?
Texts:
Documentary: "What Whitman Revolutionized American Poetry" -Biography
Documentary: "Langston Hughes" - Biography
Poems: "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman
"I, Too" by Langston Hughes
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes
"Miracles" by Walt Whitman
Article: “Why Rap Should Share a Stage With Poetry and Jazz” by Josephine Metcalf, (1010L)
Writing Piece / Project:
Mimic Poems
The Writing Revolution: Subordinating Conjunctions
Unit 5: 12 Angry Men
Essential Question:
How do our personal convictions influence the American jury system?
Texts:
Play: 12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose
Article: "Should Children as Young as 12 Be Sent to Juvenile Detention?" by Natalia
Orendain (1090L)
Writing Piece/Project:
Writing Revolution: Sentance Expanision
Journalism: Newspaper Article
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SEMESTER FOUR
Unit 6: Paired Texts & Expository Writing
Essential Question: How can one become a better writer and thinker?
Texts:
Paired Literary Texts: Excerpt from "Open Boat" by Stephan Cane (890L)
Poem: "Sea Fever" by John Masefield
Paired Nonfiction Texts: Excerpt from "Gadgets: Built Not to Last" by Mike Elgan (1200L)
Article: "Don't Fix Your Fridge, Just Buy a New One" by Michael Le Page (1110L)
Writing Piece / Project:
Extended Response Essays
The Writing Revolution: appositives and expansion sentences
SEMESTER FIVE
Unit 7: To Kill A Mockingbird
Essential Question:
What values come from understanding another person’s perspective?
Texts:
Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (870L)
Article: "The Importance of Historical Context" by Grace Fleming (1190L)
Writing Piece/Project:
Blackout Poetry
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