2007-2008 Eighth Grade Language Arts – Year at a Glance Mrs. Castellano
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The following chart is a general overview of goals and objectives, as well as the materials and skills we will be learning from and about this year. A more in-depth review of each category will be sent home around the beginning of each month to keep you informed of what we'll be going over in class for that month. Please note that any item on this grid may be changed without notice as needed for optimal student learning. |
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Novels and Other Readings |
Grammar/Vocabulary |
Writing |
Additional Skills |
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Tom Sawyer (Summer Reading. Activities will include a review of summarization skills. Review of theme and answering questions to timelessness of classic fiction and what makes classic fiction classic. Activities will be used as a reference throughout the year in relation to other literature activities and units.)
My Brother Sam is Dead Animal Farm Fahrenheit 451
Biographical study – subject to be announced
Ø Other Readings Various selections of poetry for recitation/memorization as well as analysis
Ø Shakespeare unit. “Much Ado About Nothing” oral in-class reading, analysis and discussion. Ongoing tests and quizzes with culminating group project – modernizing an act from the play. Additional biographical information of author as well as contextual study of time period to pre-empt unit.
Ø “Raymond’s Run” Elements of Literature First reading, for use in review of literary terms, practice of comprehension and shorts groups skits.
Ø “Diary of Anne Frank” EOL Unit to include oral recitation of play as well as acting through short skits. Study and review of historical context. Individual Book Reports. Student chosen. |
Ø Review Parts of Speech Pre-Assessment with end assessment of basic parts of speech: noun, verb, adjective, etc. Ongoing practice with Daily Oral Language (DOL) drills. Emphasis on dependent and independent clauses.
Ø Review of correct sentence and paragraph structure. Ongoing practice with correct sentence structure as well as creating topic sentences and providing evidence for work in paragraph structure.
Ø Vocabulary and spelling from novels or other readings: Assignments will include definitions, roots (identification of Greek and Latin roots), spelling, creating sentences using new vocabulary as well as quizzes and tests. |
Ø Review and application of 6+1 Writing Traits used in all forms of writing: journaling, essays, response to literature, etc.
Ø Journaling both in and out of class.
Ø Timed, organized writings in response to prompts – informal and formal.
Ø Essay writing both long term research as well as five paragraph essay (all styles addressed this year: narrative, expository and persuasive)
Ø Book Reports. Will be student chosen. Assessment pieces will vary to include: written, oral, and artistic products, to name a few. |
Ø Review of Literary Terms and introduction of new terms with emphasis on theme, character development and voice. Particular emphasis on reading to identify purpose and context with analysis of theme.
Ø Purposeful editing – peer and self.
Ø Review and application of Bloom’s Taxonomy – terms and application with all reading activities.
Ø Public Speaking Students will practice and recite oral speeches or other chosen piece. Public speaking practice done through oral in class readings, performance of skits and response to prompts as well as in class discussion.
Final assessment on oral speaking will be in the form of a persuasive speech at the end of the year.
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