English Language Arts
Grade 8
Mr. Dunham
Course Objectives:
The goal of this course is to strengthen each student’s ability to read, write and speak standard academic English. The ELA course is designed to help students become a more effective writer, reader and communicator. Students will read a variety of texts and learn comprehension strategies and the literary elements to aid with understanding and analyzing novels, plays, and poems and even individual words.
Textbook : Holt McDougal ; Literature
Units of Study
Unit 1 : Analyze Plot, Setting and Character in various genres.
Reading selections:
· The Elevator
· Raymond’s Run
· The Ransom of Red Chief
· Clean Sweep
· The Tell-Tale Heart
Writing:
*Supporting an opinion
Grammar:
Punctuating verbs in a series
Correcting Run-on sentences
Unit 2 : Analyze Character and Point of View
Reading Selections:
· The Treasure of Lemon Brown
· Rules of the Game
· The Medicine Bag
Writing:
*Comparison – Contrast Essay
*Participating in a panel discussion
Grammar:
Pronouns
Subjunctive mood
Unit 3 : Setting and Mood
Reading Selections:
· Hallucination
· Ellis Island and I
· The Monkey’s Paw
· The Story of an Eyewitness
· Mi Madre
Writing:
Comparison – Contrast
Grammar:
Pronoun – Antecedent agreement
Unit 4 : Theme and Symbol
Reading Selections:
· Pandora’s Box
· The Old Grandfather and His Little Grandson
· The Diary of Anne Frank
Writing:
Short story
Grammar:
Active voice
Punctuating dialogue
Unit 5 : Appreciating Poetry
Reading Selections:
· Simile : Willow and Ginkgo
· Introduction to Poetry
· Mother to Son
· Ode to Solitude
· The Song of Hiawatha
Writing:
*Feature Articles
Grammar:
Punctuating citations
Verbs
Unit 6 : Style, Voice and Tone
Reading Selections:
· The Lady or the Tiger
· Roughing It
· O Captain! My Captain!
Writing:
Literary analysis
Grammar:
Pronouns and antecedents
Sentence variety
Unit 7 : History, Culture and the Author
Reading Selections:
· The Snapping Turtle
· Out of Bounds
Writing:
Cause and Effect
Grammar:
Appositive phrases
Complex sentences
Unit 8 : Facts and Information
Reading Selections:
· The Spider Man behind Spider-Man
· News Reports
· Robo-legs
Writing:
Procedural text
Grammar:
Adjective clauses
Using colons
Unit 9 : Argument and Persuasion
Reading Selections:
· Should the Driving Age be raised to 18?
· Zoos: Myths and Reality
· The Weak Shall Inherit the Gym
Writing:
Persuasive essay
Grammar:
Correcting run-on sentences
Placing modifiers
Unit 10 : Research
Writing: Research paper
Grammar: Transitional words and capitalizing and punctuating citations
Study Techniques:
Studying for classes involves more than just cramming the night before a test. Several suggestions and examples of study techniques for improving your grade in this and other classes are as follows:
1. Prepare for class before coming by reading over notes soon after you have written them.
2. Make and use vocabulary lists as you go.
3. Do all worksheets, study questions, etc.
4. Keep your handouts, notes and study guides organized and up to date.
5. Pay attention in class.
6. Study frequently and in small doses. Cramming does not foster long term understanding!
7. If helpful, set up a study group with friends.
8. If you are having trouble with material, get help early! Do not wait until test day!
Grades:
Students will be graded using the points system. At the end of every nine weeks period the student’s points will be divided by the total number of points to arrive at the student’s overall average.
Students will be graded on the following:
· Tests
· Quizzes
· Projects
· Papers
· Homework (completion only)
· Journals/Everyday edits (checked every Friday)
· Study Island
*Please see student agenda for updated grading policy and scale*
Classroom Expectations:
· Be Prepared
· Be on time
· Be respectful
Suggested Materials:
Notebook(s) – Students should have a reading notebook and a writing notebook.
Folder – homework assignments
School agenda – Students are required to record all assignments in their agenda. (Students are required to have these in their possession at all times).
*A thesaurus and dictionary are recommended for home use, but not required
as in-class materials.
Missed Work – Absence
Upon returning to school after an absence, a student has the responsibility within the number of days equal to the length of the absence or suspension to meet with the teacher to develop a plan for making up missed work, quizzes and examinations.
Disciplinary Action(s) – Consequences
Level 1 - Warning
Level 2 - Seat change (if necessary)/Parent contact
Level 3 – Parent contact
Level 4 – Detention and parent contact
Level 5 – Office referral
*This is to be used as a guide only and the teacher reserves the right to amend as the schedule dictates*