Welcome to your grade 8 English class! 

MATERIAL: Since we will not use a textbook, I expect you to come to class with pens, a display book or a folder with papers and transparent pockets. You will keep all the relevant papers from the current unit we are studying.

 We will sometimes need colored pencils or felt pens, as well as scissors for projects.

EVALUATIONS will take place regularly, with an emphasis on correct tense use, vocabulary enrichment, and developing your speaking, listening, and writing skills.

1) School Elections: run for president and elect a class representative

• We will talk about representation and life in schools, what students want, need, and students will make a speech to run for class President.
  
  

2) the American West: from the gold rush to skateboarding and Hollywood, let's explore California, the "Golden State" and a few beautiful National Parks in the West of the United States

• we'll read "Mystery in San Francisco" (and/or "An Adventure in Yellowstone")

• we'll explore the history of the West and its keywords: conquest, exploration, destruction and preservation

• students will make a presentation on a western national park
  
  

3) Victorian England and Charles Dickens

• we'll read Charles Dickens's Christmas story, its popular reception and compare it to a parody

• we'll stury Victorian England - and sport!
  
  

4) Chicago, architecture and the Prohibition

• the city and its neighborhoods, its history and architectural landmarks

• the Prohibition and today's traces of the great gangsters
  
  

5) Let's Investigate!

• we'll talk crime, detectives, suspects, dark motives

• we'll read a novel by Agatha Christie
  
  

6) Ireland: Language and artistic messages

• Great authors, from James Joyce's The Dubliners to Bram Stoker's Dracula and today's artists