All eighth grade English students continue to develop reading, writing, thinking, speaking, and listening skills through the study of various literary forms: short stories, essays, plays, poems, novels, and non-fiction within major thematic units. The course builds on skills learned in seventh grade so that students are prepared to write in the narrative, expository/informational, and persuasive/argumentative modes in paragraphs, multi-paragraph essays, and research papers. To help students understand and use words effectively, the course will follow a systematic approach to grammar study and will examine vocabulary in context of literature. This course will prepare students for the PSSA exams.
Unit #1 - Short Fiction
Unit #2 - Text Structure
Unit #3 - Reading Strategies with a Novel
Unit #4 - Literary Elements with a Novel
Unit #5 - Making Text Connections (Choice Novel)
Unit #6 - Vocabulary
Unit #7 - Grammar and Usage
Unit #8 - Effective Communication
Unit #9 - Research Strategies
Unit #10 - Narrative Writing
Unit #11 - Expository Writing
-"Hop Frog"
-"The Raven"
-"Annabel Lee"
-Read Magazine "The Fall of the House of Usher" play
Non-fiction articles on Poe's life and death
Sherlock Holmes stories:
"The Adventures of the Speckled Band"
"Silver Blaze"
Optional:
Raisin in the Sun
Brown Girl Dreaming (excerpts used for extension activities)
March: Book One (excerpts used for extension activities)
Optional:
The Giver by Lois Lowry
-Lois Lowry Newbery Acceptance Speech
Optional:
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
"Nothing Gold Can Stay" and other poems by Robert Frost
The Outsiders DVD
Optional:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: