English Language Arts Curriculum
Northern Illinois District
Grade 8
I. Reading Skills
State Goal: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to read with understanding and fluency.
Learning Standard A: Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.
Word analysis
Objective 1: Apply the study of root words, etymology, and prefixes and suffixes to understand vocabulary and text.
Objective 2: Apply contextual clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Objective 3: Use a variety of resources to expand understanding of a word including glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus.
Vocabulary
Objective 4: Understand and apply word relationships through synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, analogies, connotations, and multiple meanings.
Learning Standard B: Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
Reading skills
Objective 1: Preview reading selections and activate prior knowledge to make connections to the text.
Objective 2: Predict and generate literal, inferential, and evaluative questions before, during, and after reading.
Objective 3: Create and utilize graphic organizers appropriate to text.
Objective 4: Identify main ideas and details through paraphrasing and summarizing.
Objective 5: Differentiate between fact and opinion.
Text features
Objective 6: Identify various forms of fictional and informational text.
Objective 7: Analyze how structure contributes to understanding of text.
Fluency
Objective 8: Use appropriate articulation, pronunciation, volume, and rate reading material orally.
Objective 9: Adjust reading rate as needed for comprehension.
Learning Standard C: Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.
Comprehension strategies
Objective 1: Use critical thinking, predicting, and inferring to form conclusions about written text.
Objective 2: Evaluate and clarify questions and predictions using text.
Objective 3: Analyze and evaluate ideas and information across the curriculum.
Genre
Objective 4: Identify differences and similarities among various types of instructional material.
Objective 5: Identify, analyze, and apply various text features in order to interpret the meaning of the text (i.e., headings, charts, diagrams, footnotes, appendices, and citations).
Objective 6: Compare, contrast, and evaluate information from electronic sources.
II. Literature
State Goal: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas.
Learning Standard A: Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning.
Literary elements
Objective 1: Identify and analyze elements of setting, plot, theme, characters, and perspective.
Objective 2: Identify different types of conflict and relate to real life situations.
Objective 3: Analyze the author’s use of characterization.
Objective 4: Analyze how the interpretation of an event, experience, or topic can be viewed differently from varying personal perspectives.
Objective 5: Identify, compare, and contrast examples of connections among an author, the cultural and historical context, and the work.
Literary techniques
Objective 6: Identify how an author uses language structure, word choice, and style to convey viewpoint.
Objective 7: Identify and interpret figurative language, foreshadowing, flashback, symbolism, and irony.
Objective 8: Identify sound elements (e.g., repetition, rhythm, alliteration, rhyme, and onomatopoeia).
Learning Standard B: Read and interpret a variety of literary works.
Objective 1: Identify characteristics and authors of fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry.
Objective 2: Engage in literary discussions.
Objective 3: Identify and make connections from text to text, text to self, and text to world.
III. Written Communication
State Goal: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
Learning Standard A: Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and structure.
Objective 1: Demonstrate proper use of grammar.
Objective 2: Maintain tense agreement throughout a piece.
Objective 3: Demonstrate correct usage of conventions.
Objective 4: Use correct and varied sentence structure (i.e., simple, compound, complex, compound-complex).
Objective 5: Identify the parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, interjections, prepositions, and conjunctions).
Learning Standard B: Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.
Focus
Objective 1: Use graphic organizers to develop a plan or outline for writing.
Objective 2: Maintain a clear focus of the main idea in writing a paragraph or essay.
Objective 3: Formulate a clear thesis statement.
Objective 4: Write effective introductions, bodies, and conclusions.
Objective 5: Produce writing suitable for the audience and purpose.
Support and elaboration
Objective 6: Use text to support all statements and claims.
Objective 7: Elaborate on main ideas through detailed writing (i.e., figurative language).
Organization
Objective 8: Use a variety of transitions throughout writing.
Objective 9: Select and maintain an appropriate point of view throughout the paper.
Objective 10: Use an effective, coherent organizational pattern (i.e., cause-effect, compare/contrast, sequencing, and chronological order).
Process Writing
Objective 11: Revise and edit written work (self and peer) according to teacher set criteria.
Objective 12: Utilize technology to proofread and edit.
Objective 13: Select effective formats for publication.
Objective 15: Self-evaluate using a teacher generated rubric for improvement of future writing.
Learning Standard C: Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.
Modes of writing
Objective 1: Compose poetry, prose, and narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive essays.
Objective 2: Use available technology (e.g., web pages, power point, and speeches) to design, produce, revise, and present compositions and multi-media presentations.
IV. Oral Communication
State Goal: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
Learning Standard A: Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
Listening Skills
Objective 1: Set a purpose for listening.
Objective 2: Understand how verbal and non-verbal cues affect meaning.
Objective 3: Appraise the situation and assume the appropriate listening mode including managing barriers.
Objective 4: Separate main ideas, supporting facts, and details while listening.
Objective 5: Record appropriate notes.
Objective 6: Infer speaker’s bias and purpose.
Objective 7: Formulate probing, idea-generated questions to clarify meaning.
Objective 8: Follow multi-step instructions to complete a task.
Objective 9: Evaluate the tone of voice and body language of the speaker and determine their effect upon the meaning of the oral presentation.
Objective 10: Respond to questions.
Objective 11: Make connections between presented information and background knowledge.
Learning Standard B: Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
Speaking Skills
Objective 1: Present with poise using appropriate nonverbal communication.
Objective 2: Use strategies to manage anxiety.
Objective 3: Align rate, volume, and style with characteristics of audience.
Objective 4: Use language that is clear, audible, and appropriate.
Objective 5: Use proper grammar when speaking.
Objective 6: Constructively participate and contribute in group discussions and group projects.
Objective 7: Present organized oral reports.
Objective 8: Use notes, outlines, technology, and/or visual aids in
presentations.
V. Application of the Language Arts
State Goal: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to use the language arts to acquire, assess, and communicate information.
Learning Standard A: Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems, and communicate ideas.
Research Skills
Objective 1: Design a project using multiple print and electronic sources.
Objective 2: Develop a thesis to guide research.
Objective 3: Gather sources to conduct research.
Objective 4: Arrange information in an orderly manner.
Learning Standard B: Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources.
Objective 1: Utilize a variety of research sources.
Objective 2: Evaluate sources for appropriateness.
Objective 3: Cite sources according to teacher criteria.
Learning Standard C: Apply acquired information, concepts, and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.
Objective 1: Plan, compose, edit, and revise documents that synthesize new meaning gleaned from multiple sources.
Objective 2: Prepare and orally present original work (i.e., poems, reports, monologues, plays, and stories) supported by research.
Objective 3: Use self, peer, or teacher feedback to modify work where appropriate.
Objective 4: Cite or credit sources appropriately.