Grade 8 Language Arts
Literacy development lies at the heart of the Grade 8 curriculum. Literacy learning is a communal project and the teaching of literacy skills is embedded across the curriculum; however, it is the language curriculum that is dedicated to instruction in the areas of knowledge and skills - listening and speaking, reading, writing, and viewing and representing - on which literacy is based.
* taken from the Ontario Ministry of Education Guidelines.
Unit V: Recount
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Journal Entries
Journals create a need for a methodology whereby the teacher can stimulate the natural interaction of language uses in students to further linguistic development. Specifically, it implies the need for a method with which the teacher could connect reading and writing assignments to teach "the art of communicating." As the cornerstone of such a communications method, student journals have proven simple, yet effective.
Assignments/Homework
Journal 1: Introduction
Journal 2: Myth
Journal 3: Legend
Journal 4: Legend Developed
Journal 5: Biography
Journal 6: Biography Developed
Journal 7: Historical Narration
Journal 8: Instruction
Journal 9: Instruction Revised
Journal 10: Comparison
Journal 11: Comparison Developed
Journal 12: Definition
Journal 13: Definition Developed
Journal 14: Hard News Story
Journal 15: Review
Journal 16: Review Developed
Journal 17: Letter to the Editor
Journal 18: Letter to the Editor Revised
Journal 19: Editorial
Journal 20: Editorial Revised
Journal 21: Resume and Covering Letter
Journal 22: Travelogue
Journal 23: Travelogue Developed
Journal 24: Lyric Poetry
Journal 25: Lyric Poetry Revised
Journal 26: Character Sketch
Journal 27: Character Sketch Developed
Journal 28: Place Description
Journal 29: Recount of Memorable Experience
Journal 30: Recount of Memorable Experience Revised
Journal 31: Fact vs. Fiction
Journal 32: Fact vs. Fiction Revised
Journal 33: Memoir
Journal 34: Memoir Developed
Journal 35: Autobiography
Essays
An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no matter what. You may be writing an essay to argue for a particular point of view or to explain the steps necessary to complete a task. Students in 8P will write approximately ten essays throughout the year in the following styles:
Narrative
Exposition
Persuasion
Description
Recount
Assignments/Homework
Essay 1: Why I Deserve an 'A'
Essay 2: OWA Term 1
Essay 3: Instruction
Essay 4: Hard News Story
Essay 5: OWA Term 2
Essay 6: No Homework (Alfie Kohn)
Essay 7: Travelogue
Essay 8: Character Sketch
Essay 9: OWA Term 3
Essay 10: Memoir
Reading
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
* read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning;
* recognize a variety of text forms, text features, and stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they help communicate meaning;
* use knowledge of words and cueing systems to read fluently;
* reflect on and identify their strengths as readers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful before, during, and after reading.
Assignments/Homework
Class Novel 1: Summary Questions + Review
Class Novel 2: Summary Questions + Review
Class Novel 3: Summary Questions + Review
Class Novel 4: Summary Questions + Review
Class Novel 5: Summary Questions + Review
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate our students about civics, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy. In Model UN, students take on roles as foreign diplomats and participate in a simulated session of the General Assembly. Students research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems.
Assignments/Homework
Session 1: Creation on a Form of Natural Disasters
Session 2: Iranian Nuclear Development
Session 3: Countering Corrupt Corporations in the Developing World
Session 4: Endangered Languages
Session 5: Human Trafficking in Saudi Arabia
Session 6: The North Korean Nuclear Standoff
Session 7: Proceeding with Economic Integration in Africa
Session 8: Keeping the Global Economy Booming
Session 9: Radiation Safety Levels
Session 10: Promoting Free Trade with Western Nations
Session 11: Blood Diamonds in Africa
Session 12: Energy Consumption in the Developing World
Session 13: Extending Health Care Coverage in the Latin Americas and Caribbean
Session 14: Primary Education as a Right
Session 15: Displaced People of Natural Disasters
Session 16: Resource Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Session 17: Decolonization
Session 18: Global Response to Human Cases of H1N1 Swine Flue
Session 19: Migrant Health Care
Session 20: Preventing HIV Transmission from Mother to Infant
Session 21: Addressing the Issue of Torture and Brutality Through Improved Prison Conditions
Session 22: Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Biological Weapons
Session 23: Global Drug Trafficking
Session 24: Preventing a Global Job Crisis
Session 25: Women's Rights in the Workforce
Session 26: Prevention of Child Soldiers
Session 27: Religious Figures as Agents in Politics
Session 28: Resolving the International Oil Crisis
Session 29: Reduction of Tariffs on Non-Agricultural Goods
Session 30: Israel and Palestine Conflict