ENGLISH
Grade
8 Standards Met
A.8.1
Use effective reading strategies to achieve their purposes in reading
Use knowledge of sentence and word structure, word origins, visual
images, and context clues to understand unfamiliar words and clarify passages of
text
Use knowledge of the visual features of texts, such as headings and bold
face print, and structures of texts, such as chronology and cause-and-effect, as
aids to comprehension
Establish purposeful reading and writing habits by using texts to find
information, gain understanding of diverse viewpoints, make decisions, and
enjoy the experience of reading
Select, summarize, paraphrase, analyze, and evaluate, orally and in
writing, passages of texts chosen for specific purposes
[ALF¨, ALNC*+, BHNC+, CM*+, ICF+, MKE*, OBG*]
A.8.2
Read, interpret, and critically analyze literature
Identify the defining features and structure of literary texts, such as
conflict, representation of character, and point of view
Analyze the effect of characters, plot, setting, language, topic, style,
purpose, and point of view on the overall impact of literature
Draw on a broad base of knowledge about the genres of literature, such as
the structure and conventions of essays, epics, fables, myths, plays, poems,
short stories, and novels, when interpreting the meaning of a literary work
Develop criteria to evaluate literary merit and explain critical opinions
about a text, either informally in conversation or formally in a well-organized
speech or essay
[ALF¨, ALNC*+, ICF+, MKE*, UWA+]
A.8.3
Read and discuss literary and nonliterary texts in order to understand
human experience
Provide interpretive responses, orally and in writing, to literary and
nonliterary texts representing the diversity of American cultural heritage and
cultures of the world
Identify common historical, social, and cultural themes and issues in
literary works and selected passages
Draw on a broad base of knowledge about the themes, ideas, and insights
found in classical literature while reading, interpreting, and reflecting on
contemporary texts
Evaluate the themes and main ideas of a work considering its audience and
purpose
[ALF¨, ALNC*+, BHNC+, CM*+, ICF+, UWA+]
A.8.4
Read to acquire information
Interpret and use technical resources such as charts, tables, travel
schedules, timelines, and manuals
Compare, contrast, and evaluate the relative accuracy and usefulness of
information from different sources
Identify and explain information, main ideas, and organization found in a
variety of informational passages
Distinguish between the facts found in documents, narratives, charts,
maps, tables, and other sources and the generalizations and interpretations that
are drawn from them
[ALF¨, ALNC*+, BHNC+, CM*+, ICF+, MKE*, OBG+, UWA]
B.8.1
Create or produce writing to communicate with different audiences for a
variety of purposes
Write a coherent and complete expository piece, with sufficient detail to
fulfill its purpose, sufficient evidence to support its assertions, language
appropriate for its intended audience, and organization achieved through clear
coordination and subordination of ideas
Write a persuasive piece (such as a letter to a specific person or a
script promoting a particular product) that includes a clear position, a
discernible tone, and a coherent argument with reliable evidence
Write a narrative based on experience that uses descriptive language and
detail effectively, presents a sequence of events, and reveals a theme
Write clear and pertinent responses to verbal or visual material that
communicate, explain, and interpret the reading or viewing experience to a
specific audience
Write creative fiction that includes major and minor characters, a
coherent plot, effective imagery, descriptive language, and concrete detail
Write in a variety of situations (during an exam, in a computer lab) and
adapt strategies, such as revision, technology, and the use of reference
materials, to the situation
Use a variety of writing technologies including pen and paper as well as
computers
Write for a variety of readers, including peers, teachers, and other
adults, adapting content, style, and structure to audience and situation
[ALF¨, ALNC*+, BHNC*, CM*+, ICF+, MKE*; UWA+]
B.8.2
Plan, revise, edit, and publish clear and effective writing
Produce multiple drafts, including finished pieces, that demonstrate the
capacity to generate, focus, and organize ideas and to revise the language,
organization, content, and tone of successive drafts in order to fulfill a
specific purpose for communicating with a specific audience
Identify questions and strategies for improving drafts in writing
conferences with a teacher
Given a writing assignment to be completed in a limited amount of time,
produce a well developed, well organized, and effective response in correct
English and an appropriate voice
[ALF¨, CM+, MKE+]
B.8.3
Understand the function of various forms, structures, and punctuation
marks of standard American English and use them appropriately in written
communications
Understand the function of words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence and
use them effectively, including coordinate and subordinate conjunctions,
relative pronouns, and comparative adjectives
Use correct tenses to indicate the relative order of events
Understand and employ principles of agreement, including subject-verb,
pronoun-noun, and preposition-pronoun
Punctuate compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences correctly
Employ the conventions of capitalization
Spell frequently used words correctly and use effective strategies for
spelling unfamiliar words
[BHNC, ICF+]
C.8.1
Orally communicate information, opinions, and ideas effectively to
different audiences for a variety of purposes
Share brief impromptu remarks about topics of interest to oneself and
others
Speaking from notes or an outline, relate an experience in descriptive
detail, with a sense of timing and decorum appropriate to the occasion
Perform expressive oral readings of prose, poetry, and drama
Prepare and conduct interviews
Present a coherent, comprehensive report on differing viewpoints on an
issue, evaluating the content of the material presented, and organizing the
presentation in a manner appropriate to the audience
Differentiate between formal and informal contexts and employ an
appropriate style of speaking, adjusting language, gestures, rate, and volume
according to audience and purpose
Observe the appropriate etiquette when expressing thanks and receiving
praise
[ALNC*, BHNC*, CM*+, ICF+, MKE*, OBG+, UWA+]
C.8.2
Listen to and comprehend oral communications
Summarize and explain the information conveyed in an oral communication,
accounting for the key ideas, structure, and relationship of parts to the whole
Distinguish among purposes for listening, such as gaining information or
being entertained, and take notes as appropriate
Recall significant details and sequence accurately
Follow a speakers argument and represent it in notes
Evaluate the reliability of information in a communication, using
criteria based on prior knowledge of the speaker, the topic, and the context and
on analysis of logic, evidence, propaganda devices, and language
[ALNC+, BHNC*, CM*+, ICF+, JSF*, MKE*, OBG+,
OWP*]
C.8.3
Participate effectively in discussion
Participate in discussion by listening attentively, demonstrating respect
for the opinions of others, and responding responsibly and courteously to the
remarks of others
Explain and advance opinions by citing evidence and referring to sources
Evaluate the stated ideas and opinions of others, seeking clarification
through questions
Invite ideas and opinions of others into the discussion, responding
clearly and tactfully to questions and comments
Accept and use helpful criticism
Establish and maintain an open mind when listening to others ideas and
opinions
Summarize the main points of a discussion, orally and in writing,
specifying areas of agreement and disagreement and paraphrasing contributions
·
Display and maintain facial expressions, body
language, and other response cues that indicate respect for the speaker and
attention to the discussion
Attend to the content of discussion rather than the speaker
Participate in discussion without dominating
Distinguish between supported and unsupported statements
[ALNC, BHNC, ICF+, JSF*, MKE*, OBG*, OWP*]
D.8.1
Develop their vocabulary and ability to use words, phrases, idioms, and
various grammatical structures as a means of improving communication
Consult dictionaries, thesauruses, handbooks, and grammar texts when choosing words, phrases, and expressions for use in oral and written presentations
Explain how writers and speakers choose words and use figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and allusion to achieve specific effects
Choose words purposefully and evaluate the use of words in communications designed to inform, explain, and persuade
[ALNC*, CM*+, ICF+, JSF, MKE*, OBG+, OWP]
D.8.2
Recognize and interpret various uses and adaptations of language in
social, cultural, regional, and professional situations, and learn to be
flexible and responsive in their use of English
Describe how American English is used in various public and private contexts, such as school, home, and work
Make appropriate choices when speaking and writing, such as formal or informal language, considering the purpose and context of the communication
Evaluate how audience and context affect the selection and use of words and phrases, including technical terms, slang, and jargon
[ICF+, MKE]
E.8.1
Use computers to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate information