Reading/English Language Arts – Grade Eight

 In grade 8, students apply their knowledge and skills and expand their use of language. The eighth grade standards are organized under five areas of study – reading/literature, listening, speaking, writing, and research. The specific knowledge and skills listed in these areas are integrated and applied through the four language arts strands. Technology standards should be applied in the context of language arts.

I. Reading/Literature

A. The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, and idioms and will use analogies, metaphors, similes, denotations, and connotations to extend vocabulary development.

B. The student will apply knowledge of the characteristics and elements of various literary forms including short stories, essays, speeches, lyric and narrative poems, plays, and novels.

  Explain the use of symbols and figurative language.

  Describe inferred main ideas or themes.

  Describe cause-effect relationships and their impact on plot.

  Describe and evaluate how authors use characters, point of view, mood, and tone to create

  meaning.

  Analyze similarities and differences between texts and authors.

  Compare and contrast the use of the poetic elements of word choice, dialogue, rhyme, rhythm,

  and voice.

  Explain how a literary selection can expand or enrich personal viewpoints or experiences.

C. The student will comprehend and analyze what is read from a variety of sources.

  Draw on background knowledge and knowledge of text structure to understand selections.

  Analyze details for relevance and accuracy.

  Analyze important elements and evaluate relationships by examining and determining validity,

  bias, purpose, audience, statements of opinion that are not clearly identified, and provision of

  adequate support.

  Read and follow instructions to assemble a model or simple structure.

  Evaluate and synthesize information to apply in written and oral presentations.

D. The student will analyze mass media messages.

  Identify the persuasive technique being used.

  Describe the possible cause-effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends.

  Evaluate selections, such as advertisements, editorials, and feature stories for relationships

  between intent and factual content.

E. The student will read technical and career related materials and a range of literature created for

adolescents in all content areas.

F. The student will analyze important elements of complete texts and evaluate relationships to the whole in both print and non-print sources.

G. The student will expand a rich vocabulary through reading experiences with varied, meaningful texts.

H. The student will read a variety of formats, such as stories, poems, plays, reports, and other technical writing across the curriculum.

I. The student will vary reading strategies, such as skimming, scanning, using subheadings, and reading rate to read a variety of texts effectively.

J. The student will demonstrate an independent ability to use syntax, semantics, and structural analysis to construct meaning and monitor comprehension in more advanced ways.

K. The student will ask questions to clarify the viewpoint of others, to develop new understandings, and to view findings from various perspectives when reading.

L. The student will assimilate and synthesize information from various sources and convey it clearly to others.

  Use reading processes to understand information.

  Use strategies to organize information and analyze topics.

M. The student will read a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts for sustained periods of time.

N. The student will place a variety of works into appropriate historical and cultural context and relate to other situations, content areas, and time periods.

O. The student will select and read from a wide range of cultures and genres.

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