Curriculum Information
Reading
1. Reading is the most important part of the eighth grade English curriculum, so there is a strong emphasis on developing your reading skills. We will read a variety of genres: short stories, nonfiction, poetry, plays, novels, and novellas.
2. You will have assigned reading selections every week. You will have ample time to complete them during which time you should take notes on the significant parts of the selections.
3. You will have a quiz on each reading assignment. Quizzes are closed book but use of pre-approved handwritten notes is allowed.
4. The focus of your quizzes will be on comprehension. Quizzes may be multiple choice, short answer, or a mix of the two.
5. If you are struggling with reading comprehension, please come and talk with me about it.
6. CP classes only: You may complete all study questions after the selection for ten extra points. You must write both the question and the answer. Answers must be in complete sentences and may be used on the quiz.
7. Any student scoring below 60 on a reading quiz may be required to complete a remediation activity to strengthen comprehension.
Tips for Reading Success
1. If there are study questions at the end of the selection, answer them. You may bring them to me during homeroom or after school so I can check them for understanding and help clear up any confusion.
2. Keep a list of names from each selection. Next to the name, write what that character did in the selection.
3. Look up words you don’t know.
4. Write down a list of questions you have about the selection. Before or after class, ask me the questions.
5. Fill out a “Story Map” for each selection. You can download one here.
6. Read aloud with an adult. Have them help you clear up any misunderstandings you may have.
7. Take notes on the selection and bring it in for help on the quiz.
Vocabulary Workshop
1. You are provided time during homeroom to complete the activities in your Vocabulary Workshop workbook, so you do not have to complete them for homework.
2. Workbook activities are examined for completion and spot-checked for accuracy.
3. Answers are available for you to check your completed work. See me for details.
4. If you lose your book, you must purchase another one. In the meantime, you can access the digital workbook here and put answers on paper.
Vocabulary
1. Learning new vocabulary is critical to your ability to thrive as a communicator.
2. Vocabulary units are due about every two weeks.
3. Each unit contains twenty words and there are fifteen units overall. You can find the words here. If you have been issued a Vocabulary Workshop workbook, they are available there.
4. There will be a vocabulary quiz after each unit.
5. There will be a final vocabulary exam that will include all 300 words, so it is important to keep studying words even after a unit is complete.
6. Vocabulary quizzes will consist of context clues, synonyms, antonyms, true/false, word usage, analogies, and writing words in context.
7. Each unit quiz will have a review section.
8. Every day in class we will examine the words, analyzing their stems, using them in context, and practicing their usage. Take notes and study your notes every night.
9. When available, Vocabulary Workshop will be used to practice and build your word skills.
Grammar
1. A fundamental understanding of English grammar is critical to becoming an effective writer. Additionally, it will aid you in learning foreign languages. Finally, in a country filled with diverse cultures, our language helps bind us together; therefore it is imperative that we develop a thorough understanding of it.
2. In our class, we will study grammar through the use of diagrams. Take notes in class and study your notes every night.
3. In class we will have Daily Oral Language where we put our understanding of grammar into practice.
4. We will have at least one grammar quiz every quarter and grammar will also be a part of our quarter exams.
5. You can find a concise page of grammar notes here.
Speeches
1. Learning to speak effectively is an important skill, so it is important to practice its development as much as possible.
2. Every quarter, you will deliver a speech for your classmates. It will be based on your writing assignment essay.
3. The criteria for your speech are located here, and you will be graded based on those criteria.
Literature
1. A better understanding of literature is a requirement of the eighth grade English curriculum and provides us with a number of valuable qualities. As noted above, you will read a variety of genres and through them will develop a deeper appreciation of literature.
2. You are also required to learn about a variety of literary concepts, all of which are provided in your textbook.
Writing
1. Improving your ability to communicate through writing is an important goal of the English curriculum.
2. We will practice a variety of writing types, including expository, business, argumentative, creative, and research-based.
3. Nearly every week you will have a short writing assignment based on different kinds of writing. This will be factored in to your weekly quiz grade.
4. Every quarter you will be assigned a longer writing assignment (four or more paragraphs). You will receive a special grade for this.
5. The grading criteria can be found here.
6. You will adapt your essay to be delivered as a classroom speech.
Research
1. Research skills are taught across the middle school curriculum.
2. Each English student will be required to complete a research assignment.
LifeLit
In developing your understanding and enjoyment of literature, you must answer three questions about everything you read: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it matter?
In response to the third question, our reading assignments are often a springboard for LifeLit—class discussions on topics very important to you as rising high schoolers. From a curricular standpoint, these discussions teach you to use critical thinking skills to delve deeper into a variety of texts in order to make connections between literature and real life. Additionally, they teach active listening and speaking skills that are required by our state standards.
I encourage you to talk with your parents about each of our weekly discussions. Over the years, students and parents almost always describe this part of the class as the most positive. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Reading
1. Reading is the most important part of the eighth grade English curriculum, so there is a strong emphasis on developing your reading skills. We will read a variety of genres: short stories, nonfiction, poetry, plays, novels, and novellas.
2. You will have assigned reading selections every week. You will have ample time to complete them during which time you should take notes on the significant parts of the selections.
3. You will have a quiz on each reading assignment. Quizzes are closed book but use of pre-approved handwritten notes is allowed.
4. The focus of your quizzes will be on comprehension. Quizzes may be multiple choice, short answer, or a mix of the two.
5. If you are struggling with reading comprehension, please come and talk with me about it.
6. CP classes only: You may complete all study questions after the selection for ten extra points. You must write both the question and the answer. Answers must be in complete sentences and may be used on the quiz.
7. Any student scoring below 60 on a reading quiz may be required to complete a remediation activity to strengthen comprehension.
Tips for Reading Success
1. If there are study questions at the end of the selection, answer them. You may bring them to me during homeroom or after school so I can check them for understanding and help clear up any confusion.
2. Keep a list of names from each selection. Next to the name, write what that character did in the selection.
3. Look up words you don’t know.
4. Write down a list of questions you have about the selection. Before or after class, ask me the questions.
5. Fill out a “Story Map” for each selection. You can download one here.
6. Read aloud with an adult. Have them help you clear up any misunderstandings you may have.
7. Take notes on the selection and bring it in for help on the quiz.
Vocabulary Workshop
1. You are provided time during homeroom to complete the activities in your Vocabulary Workshop workbook, so you do not have to complete them for homework.
2. Workbook activities are examined for completion and spot-checked for accuracy.
3. Answers are available for you to check your completed work. See me for details.
4. If you lose your book, you must purchase another one. In the meantime, you can access the digital workbook here and put answers on paper.
Vocabulary
1. Learning new vocabulary is critical to your ability to thrive as a communicator.
2. Vocabulary units are due about every two weeks.
3. Each unit contains twenty words and there are fifteen units overall. You can find the words here. If you have been issued a Vocabulary Workshop workbook, they are available there.
4. There will be a vocabulary quiz after each unit.
5. There will be a final vocabulary exam that will include all 300 words, so it is important to keep studying words even after a unit is complete.
6. Vocabulary quizzes will consist of context clues, synonyms, antonyms, true/false, word usage, analogies, and writing words in context.
7. Each unit quiz will have a review section.
8. Every day in class we will examine the words, analyzing their stems, using them in context, and practicing their usage. Take notes and study your notes every night.
9. When available, Vocabulary Workshop will be used to practice and build your word skills.
Grammar
1. A fundamental understanding of English grammar is critical to becoming an effective writer. Additionally, it will aid you in learning foreign languages. Finally, in a country filled with diverse cultures, our language helps bind us together; therefore it is imperative that we develop a thorough understanding of it.
2. In our class, we will study grammar through the use of diagrams. Take notes in class and study your notes every night.
3. In class we will have Daily Oral Language where we put our understanding of grammar into practice.
4. We will have at least one grammar quiz every quarter and grammar will also be a part of our quarter exams.
5. You can find a concise page of grammar notes here.
Speeches
1. Learning to speak effectively is an important skill, so it is important to practice its development as much as possible.
2. Every quarter, you will deliver a speech for your classmates. It will be based on your writing assignment essay.
3. The criteria for your speech are located here, and you will be graded based on those criteria.
Literature
1. A better understanding of literature is a requirement of the eighth grade English curriculum and provides us with a number of valuable qualities. As noted above, you will read a variety of genres and through them will develop a deeper appreciation of literature.
2. You are also required to learn about a variety of literary concepts, all of which are provided in your textbook.
Writing
1. Improving your ability to communicate through writing is an important goal of the English curriculum.
2. We will practice a variety of writing types, including expository, business, argumentative, creative, and research-based.
3. Nearly every week you will have a short writing assignment based on different kinds of writing. This will be factored in to your weekly quiz grade.
4. Every quarter you will be assigned a longer writing assignment (four or more paragraphs). You will receive a special grade for this.
5. The grading criteria can be found here.
6. You will adapt your essay to be delivered as a classroom speech.
Research
1. Research skills are taught across the middle school curriculum.
2. Each English student will be required to complete a research assignment.
LifeLit
In developing your understanding and enjoyment of literature, you must answer three questions about everything you read: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it matter?
In response to the third question, our reading assignments are often a springboard for LifeLit—class discussions on topics very important to you as rising high schoolers. From a curricular standpoint, these discussions teach you to use critical thinking skills to delve deeper into a variety of texts in order to make connections between literature and real life. Additionally, they teach active listening and speaking skills that are required by our state standards.
I encourage you to talk with your parents about each of our weekly discussions. Over the years, students and parents almost always describe this part of the class as the most positive. If you have any questions, please let me know.