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Literature | Grammar | Spelling | Vocabulary
8th Grade Language Arts


Textbooks:

· Houghton Mifflin English, level 8
· Scott Foresman Explorations in Literature, classic edition
· Loyola Press Vocabulary in Action, Level E
· Barron's Guide to the High School Placement Test.

Supplementary:

    Class site: https://members.tripod.com/~DHoneywell.donna.htm
    Worksheets (reinforcement activities)
    Extra credit

Student Materials and Routines:

    Students will maintain a notebook for Literature. The notebook will contain class notes, study assignments (classwork and homework).

    Students will maintain a notebook for Grammar. It will contain class notes, exercises, etc. from class or homework.

    Students will maintain a writing portfolio of all creative writing assignments. For 8th grade, the standard is the five-paragraph theme (minimum five sentences per paragraph). Final papers are typed (if possible), double-spaced on unlined paper. Word count 500 per theme. Neatness counts.

    Students will complete the vocabulary workbook and practice writing the spelling words each week for homework. We will review answers for workbooks before test each week (Fridays).

    Students will be expected to do oral and written reports, homework and library research.

Assessments:

    Periodic tests and quizzes cover content of grammar, spelling and literature lessons.
    Goal: Grammar tests on Tuesdays, Literature tests on Wednesday, Spelling tests on Fridays.

    Quarterly book reports (outside reading = student choice).

    Portfolio evaluated quarterly
    = collection of quarterly writings (drafts and final) demonstrating continuous effort to improve writing skill.

    Notebooks and workbook graded quarterly (organization, content, neatness).

    Semester examinations in Grammar, Literature, Spelling (January and June)

Course Overview


Literature

Students will be reading in these genres:

1st semester

    Sept-Oct: Fiction (Short Stories)
    Nov-Dec: Poetry (and supplementary unit about sonnets)
    Jan: William Shakespeare (preparation for May festival) (TBA in cooperation with Mr. Rich)

2nd semester

    Feb: Drama
    March: Roman and Greek Myths
    Apr: Nonfiction
    May: Novel (TBA)

Students will identify the elements of each of these genres, literary terms and devices, as well as read textbook and supplementary selections.
They will practice reading comprehension skills.

Grammar

1st semester:

    Review eight parts of speech
    Review basic sentence structure
    Review paragraph structure
    Review how to write essays (five paragraph themes are standard)
    Build a portfolio of different types of compositions (such as letter writing, persuasive, descriptive writing)

2nd Semester

    Review phrases, clauses, diagramming sentences
    Review rules for correct grammar usage and mechanics
    Review rules for capitalization and using italics
    Review rules for punctuation
    Identify common mistakes in usage
    Review spelling rules
    Identify common mistakes in spelling
    Continue building writing portfolio of different types of compositions
    Write a formal research paper following a step by step process

Spelling and Vocabulary

1st semester: Complete the 15 lessons in the vocabulary workbook.
2nd semester: Supplementary exercises and vocabulary development activities during second semester.