ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8
This course focuses on a student-centered learning environment where learners analyze text, cite evidence, and respond critically about their reading. There will be a focus on the elements of literature, reading of short stories, novels, plays, myths, and informational text from diverse cultures and different time periods. The students will improve their close reading and compositional skills through research simulation, literary analysis, and narrative writing tasks. Writing assignments will be related to the literature studied in class and through independent student research. The teacher will guide the students through the reading and writing processes and work toward acquiring a plethora of strategies that will impact greater independence and confidence when students read grade-level text and write on their own. One specific area of development is the extraction of theme from text and its application to daily life. Presentation of knowledge and ideas are further demonstrated via public speaking, group discussions, and personal reflection. Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills, ability to interact in small and large groups, and gain knowledge of self and the world around them. Students will strengthen their ability to become critical consumers of information. Independent reading units are included, as well as class presentations. Students will recognize the ways in which the English language is a part of their everyday lives. The New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts 8 will frame the curricular goals of this course.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Unit 1 - Rites of Passage: What are some milestones on the path to growing up?
- Unit 2 - Resilience: What do stories of resilience teach us about the human spirit?
- Unit 3 - Taking a Stand: How do we decide what matters to us?
- Unit 4 - Human Intelligence: In what different ways can people be intelligent?
- Unit 5 - Pushing Boundaries: What inspires people to invent?
GRADING
All grading (formative and summative) is standards-based.
90% Summative Assessments (tests, writing assessments, projects, and performance based assessments)
10% Formative Assessments (IXL practice, journal writing, classwork, group work, bell ringers)