English 8

Unit 1: A Good kind of trouble

We start the year thinking about our personal identity and responding to the text. We analyze how the differences in point of view and perspective help to create mood. And we think about our own place in the world in the context of larger events happening around us.

Unit 2: Represtation in our lives

While finishing the novel A Good Kind of Trouble we evaluate the importance of equal representation in our lives and in our society as a whole. Using the events of the novel as a starting point, we think about social justice and activism and engage in discussions and opinion writing pieces independently and collectively.

Unit 3: short story unit

In this unit we read multiple short stories that allow us to learn from diverse perspectives and writing styles. We focus on finding themes within this culturally rich stories and think about how plot, characters and dialogue help to develop a theme over the course of the story.

Unit 4: To Kill a Mockingbird

Before beginning this novel, your child will complete a research of the historical context of the novel in a Setting the Scene mini-research project. They will use technology to research a different aspect of the time period to write a one page paper and present their findings to the class. As we read the novel, students will read and be exposed to speeches from real people who took a stand and then immerse themselves in the study of the novel by Harper Lee. They will also write a character analysis paper on Atticus Finch, analyzing him through his words and actions. Students will also participate in Restorative Practice Peace Circles and poetry analysis to explore the theme of “The Golden Rule”

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