ELA 8

th
Grade
Course Content
Essential Skills:
Students will analyze and interpret literature from a variety of genres including short stories,
novels, drama, non-fiction, and poetry.
Students will explore and develop their understanding of the writing process.
Students will develop their skills in a variety of composition styles, including Literary Response,
Persuasion, Informational, Narrative and Poetry.
Students will regularly participate in oral language activities and demonstrate their speaking and
listening skills.
Students will apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different
contexts, to comprehend more fully when reading or listening

Essential Knowledge:
Students will identify various literary genres and know the features of: short stories, dramas,
novels, non-fiction, and poetry.
Students will analyze elements of plot, characterization and point of view
Students will classify and demonstrate various literary devices including: theme, mood, tone,
irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism.
Students will classify and demonstrate literary terms such as: hyperbole, alliteration, metaphor,
simile, allusion, and personification
Students will apply a writing process consisting of: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing,
publishing, and evaluating.
Students will build oral performance skill in: body language, diction, eye contact, response to
audience, vocal rate, and volume.

Essential Attitudes:
Students will bring a learning-ready attitude as well as appropriate materials to class each day.
Students will be responsible for maintaining their class calendar which displays class and
homework assignments.
Students will keep all papers from class well organized within their binders.
Students will respect each other, the teacher, and themselves.
Students will make every effort to participate in accomplishing the learning goals of the class.


Hook Questions:
What common themes in literature inform us of the human condition?
What ways are our different cultures connected by what we read, write and speak?
What are the qualities of good writing?
How is the study of English and literature used outside of the classroom today?
What environment is needed in the classroom for student learning success?




Assessment:
Attendance and Participation: Students will be expected to be on time for class with appropriate
assignments and fully participate in each days activities. Participation requires student
involvement in discussions and completion of short assignments such as: quick-writes, opinion
surveys, class charts, and reading wall. 15 %

Written assignments: Short Response: Including paragraphs, poems, letters, journal entries, and
group writing assignments. 15%

Written assignments: Essays: Students will write a narrative essay, a persuasive essay and an
informational essay. 15%

Group projects: Two group projects, a city block design and a media presentation on a social
issue 20%

Final Project: Author Mentor Study: Includes research, written reflection, visual, and oral or
audio presentation. 20%

Tests and quizzes: Tests and quizzes will be short answer and fill in the blank, to assess student
understanding of major skills. No multiple choice. 15%


Evaluation
Attentance/Participation 15%
Written Assignments: Short
response 15%
Written Assignments: Essays 15%
Group Projects 20%
Final Project 20%
Tests and Quizes 15%