Grade 8
Helpful Links and Information
Close Reading is:
- thoughtful
- focused
- text-based
https://laurarandazzo.com/2014/08/16/close-reading-reinforcement-idea/
Annotating is:
- marking up the text
- flagging (with post-its)
- taking notes
Our Units of Study
Reading and Writing
Traits of Writing - Generating Ideas and Organization
Types of Writing
Journalism
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie (Mystery Unit with additional short titles)
Research/Nonfiction - Including MLA citation format
General Essay Writing
The Giver - Lois Lowry
Utopia Project (research application, creative writing, essay forms)
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Thematic Essay
Poetry
Speech Writing (Voice)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream - William Shakespeare (Briefly, as exposure to complex language.)
*Additional texts as needed for background and skill building.
Grammar
Basic Parts of Speech
Advanced Parts of Speech - Verbals, Appositives, Dangling/Misplaced Modifiers, etc.
Phrases & Clauses
Word Choice (Trait of Writing)
Sentences
Sentence Fluency (Trait of Writing)
Conventions (Trait of Writing)
Wordiness, Clarity
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is based on novels/short texts.
Roots and Affixes.
Homework
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Homework is a way to reinforce skills and encourage strong, independent study habits.
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Expect homework regularly.
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Please email me if something seems overwhelming.