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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

 

  • Homework is a way to reinforce skills and encourage strong, independent study habits.  

  • Expect homework regularly.  

  • Please email me if something seems overwhelming.