8th Reading A

Course Description

This course focuses on developing advanced literary analysis and critical research skills across diverse text types. Students learn to draw on strong textual evidence to support explicit meanings and implicit inferences, evaluate themes and point of view in literature, and dissect central ideas and arguments in non-fiction. Additionally, these skills empower learners to analyze word meanings in context and conduct thorough research using credible sources to investigate complex topics.

Topic 1: Strong Evidence and Inference

State Standard:

RC.8.3: Draw several pieces of evidence from grade-level texts that strongly support both what is said explicitly and what is implied, including quoting and paraphrasing from relevant sections and accurately citing textual references.

Success Criteria:

• I can draw several strong pieces of evidence from a text, so I can support both explicit ideas and inferences.

• I can quote, paraphrase, and cite relevant sections accurately, so I can use the text precisely.

• I can explain how my evidence supports my interpretation, so I can build a stronger analysis.

Learning Goal:

I can use strong textual evidence to support what a text says explicitly and implicitly.

Topic 2: Theme, Point of View, and Liteary Effeccts

State Standard:

RC.8.5a / RC.8.5d: Explain stated or implied themes and their development and analyze how differences in point of view created with dramatic irony result in effects such as suspense or humor.

Success Criteria:

• I can explain a stated or implied theme, so I can identify the deeper meaning of a text.

• I can analyze how characters, setting, and plot relate to the theme, so I can show how literary elements work together.

• I can analyze differences in point of view, including dramatic irony, so I can explain effects such as suspense or humor.

Learning Goal:

I can analyze theme and point of view in literary texts.

Topic 3: Central Ideas and Arguments in Informational Texts

State Standard:

RC.8.6a / RC.8.6d: Explain central ideas and summaries and trace the argument and specific claims, assessing whether the evidence is relevant and whether irrelevant evidence was introduced.

Success Criteria:

• I can explain a central idea and how it develops, so I can summarize a text objectively.

• I can explain how individuals, ideas, or events relate to the central idea, so I can analyze how the text is built.

• I can trace an argument and assess whether the evidence is relevant, so I can evaluate the quality of a claim.

Learning Goal:

I can analyze central ideas and evaluate arguments in informational texts.

Topic 4: Word Meanings and Research

State Standard:

VD.8.1a / VD.8.2c / RS.8.1: Use context as a clue to meaning; distinguish among connotations of words with similar denotations; conduct brief and multi-day research tasks using credible sources and standard citations.

Success Criteria:

• I can use context to figure out the meaning of words and phrases, so I can understand complex texts more independently.

• I can distinguish among connotations of words with similar definitions, so I can explain how word choice shapes meaning.

• I can conduct research using credible sources and a standard citation format, so I can share findings responsibly and avoid plagiarism.

Learning Goal:

I can analyze word meaning and conduct research using credible sources.

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