Language Arts

Language 8 challenges students with rigorous curriculum aligned to the California Common Core Standards through Houghton Mifflin Harcourt California Collections. Students will use a wide variety of text to increase their use of critical thinking skills. The course focuses on reading, writing, grammar, analysis, collaborative discussion and presentations. The objective of the course is to foster independent and collaborative learning, encourage in-depth exploration of content, and build necessary skills for high school transition.

La clase de lenguaje desafía a los estudiantes con un plan de estudio riguroso alineado con los estándares del estado de California a través de la colección de Houghton Mifflin Harcourt California Collections. Los estudiantes usarán una gran variedad de texto para aumentar su uso de pensamiento crítico. El curso tiene un enfoque en lectura, escritura, gramática, análisis, discusión colaborativa y presentaciones. El objetivo del curso es fomentar el aprendizaje independiente y colaborativo, alentar la exploración profunda del contenido y desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para la transición a la escuela secundaria.   

Collection 1 - Culture and Belonging - Key Learning Objectives : Make inferences. Analyze plot. Analyze characterization. Analyze illusion. Analyze imagery. Analyze central idea and detail. Identify and analyze elements of a memoir. Analyze elements of a personal essay. Analyze use of text features and graphic aids. Determine the use of figurative language. Analyze and evaluate elements of a documentary. 

Collection 2 - The Thrill of Horror - Key Learning Objectives : Determine theme. Identify use of suspense. Identify and analyze foreshadowing. Determine point of view. Evaluate narrator. Compare a written story to film. Analyze elements of literary criticism. Identify elements of author's style. Analyze author's viewpoint. Determine author's purpose. Identify counterarguments. Analyze filmmaker's choices. 

Collection 3 - The Move Toward Freedom - Key Learning Objectives : Identify elements of historical fiction. Identify elements of elegy. Identify and analyze extended metaphors. Analyze mood. Analyze elements of autobiography. Identify methods of characterization in biography. Analyze word choice and connotation. Analyze author's craft. Analyze compare-and-contrast organization. Determine author's purpose. Engage in collaborative discussion. 

Collection 4 - Approaching Adulthood - Key Learning Objectives : Make inferences. Determine theme. Analyze character motivation. Identify speaker in poetry. Determine central idea and details. Evaluate reasoning. Trace and evaluate an argument. Analyze facts and interpretations in two texts. Evaluate different mediums.

Collection 5 - Anne Frank's Legacy - Key Learning Objectives : Identify and analyze elements of drama. Analyze flashbacks. Analyze sound devices in poetry. Make inferences. Identify and analyze elements of a diary. Analyze impact of word choice on tone. Analyze persuasive techniques. Determine use of rhetorical devices. Determine author's viewpoint.

Collection 6 - The Value of Work - Key Learning Objectives : Analyze point of view and narrator. Determine and analyze style. Determine use of figurative language. Analyze rhyme scheme and meter. Compare and contrast poetic structure. Draw conclusions. Analyze imagery. Delineate and evaluate an argument. Plan and present a narrative.