8th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS
This year in language arts students will learn and apply new strategies as an 8th grade learner. The beginning of the year starts off with assessments to benchmark their comprehension, fluency, decoding, vocabulary, and writing skills. This year will consist of using Stargirl as a jumping board for literary elements and will read short stories such as "The Raven", "The Lottery", "The Lady or the Tiger" and many more. Throughout the course of the year we will be using the following:
Google Classroom -Parents, please view your child's Google Classroom account to locate upcoming assignments.
Achieve 3000- Students will continue to practice literary skills using the adaptive online instruction of Achieve 3000. Students will be required to complete 4 articles and activities with a passing score of 75 to increase their lexile levels. Students can practice at home but their scores will not be eligible for their Lexile Growth.
Multisensory Reading Instruction students will use strategies of Report Form and the Linguistics program to learn the nuts and bolts of nonfiction reading comprehension and writing. This program is integrated with outlining and graphic organizers to help students assemble and organize facts as they tackle text and research projects not only in their language arts class but in their science and social studies classes.
Vocabulary- Building Vocabulary with Affixes
The roots are taught in sequence, and as we learn new roots, previously introduced roots will be introduced and used within the context of the new word parts. The Vocabulary Program is organized into units of six lessons, each lesson lasting for one week. The units introduced one root each week for five weeks, and then spends the sixth week reviewing all of the roots from that unit.
We will be instructing vocabulary each day, and assessing the concepts at the end of every two-week period. If we have a four day week, we will continue the sequence of roots. However, if we have a week with three days or less, we will use those days to review and begin the next root when we have a full week.
Novels- Due to new guidelines, the reading novels will be determined at a later date.
Need practice with your reading skills? Use one of the sites we use in school for extra practice.
Assessreadtheory.org/es reading ability and mimics state testing.
SKILL FOCUS
Elements of Fictions
Narrative Writing
Vocabulary
Comprehension
The Monkey's Paw A Short Story by W.W. Jacobs The Tell Tale Heart A Short Story by Edgar Allan Poe
SKILL FOCUS
Biography
Research Writing
Sequencing
Cause and Effect
Historical Fiction and Non-Fiction
My Friend Douglass A Historical Account by Russell Freedman (Biography)
SKILL FOCUS
Poetry
Argumentative Essays
Test Prep
Hanging Fire A Poem by Audre Lorde
Teenagers A Poem by Pat Mora
When Do Kids Become Adults? - Argumentative Essays