English 8 and English 8+

Avon Lake City Schools

Curriculum Framework

English 8 and English 8+

Course Overview:

Following English 7/7+, English 8 and English 8+ continue to engage students in a wide variety of experiences in literature, composition, and grammar. In literature, the students will read novels, poems, and short stories to understand and appreciate their content and artistry. In composition, students develop their skills in argumentative, expository prose. Exercises in grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary are included. English 8+ students move at an accelerated pace and read more challenging works.

Textbook (Title and Publishing Company):

Amplify ELA

Online/Supplemental Materials:

Assessments:

  • Ohio State Test
  • NWEA Map Growth
  • Amplify ELA Unit Assessments & Essays

Standards/Learning Goals:

Subject to Pacing and Schedules

First Quarter

Perspectives & Narrative Unit

  • Texts: 

    • Excerpts from Going Solo by Roald Dahl

    • Short excerpt from The PExcerpts from Going Solo by Roald Dahl

    • Short excerpt from The Princess Bride by William Goldman

    • "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan

    • And more!!

  • Skills and Content:

    • Topic & Theme: The craft of narrative

    • Reading: Notice the impact of author's craft and structure

    • Writing: Write a narrative about a childhood memory

    • Activity Highlights: Write personal narratives, workshop with peers, watch video author interviews

    • Text Features: WWII memoir and contemporary coming-of-age 1st person narratives

Second Quarter

Liberty & Equality Unit

Frederick Douglass

  • Core text - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

  • Supplemental Text-Gettysburg Address

  • Skills and Content:

    • Topic & Theme: The meaning of "all men are created equal"

    • Reading: Evaluate the argument and specific claims in a narrative text

    • Writing: Analyze how authors use language to make a case for liberty and equality

    • Activity Highlights: Watch dramatic readings

    • Read and analyze the Gettysburg Address

Third Quarter

Science & Science Fiction Unit

Frankenstein

  • Core text -Gris Grimly's Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Gris Grimly

  • Skills and Content:

    • Topic & Theme: Creators vs. creations

    • Reading: Apply abstract concepts to an author’s portrayal of a character

    • Writing: Argue opposing claims about a character and resolve the contradiction

    • Activity Highlights: Write from a character's perspective, debate making creature a partner

    • Text Features: Gothic text in graphic form, archaic language, Biblical and mythological allusions

 

CommonLit-Argumentative Unit

  • Central idea and summary 

  • Development of ideas 

  • Delineate and evaluate an argument 

  • Argument writing

  • Conditional thesis 

  • Repetition for emphasis and transition 

  • Strengthening writing through revision

  • Grade appropriate academic vocabulary

Fourth Quarter

Holocaust: Memory & Meaning Anthology

  • Skills and Content

    • Topic & Theme: Factors that led to the Holocaust, and the response

    • Reading: Synthesize multiple accounts to develop understanding and empathy

    • Writing: Analyze the impact of propaganda and explain the response to unfolding events

 

Novel: Night (8+) or The Boy On The Wooden Box

 

The Space Race Collection Unit

Skills and Content

  • Topic & Theme: The successes and sacrifices associated with space exploration

  • Reading: Compare and contrast perspectives on a topic

  • Writing: Develop a question, conduct research, and create a multimedia project

  • Activity Highlights: Research a cosmonaut or astronaut and write blog entries from their point of view

  • Text Features: Primary and secondary source documents, poems, and images

 

Hidden Figures Novel (8+)

  • A complete close reading session, including the text excerpt

  • Connected excerpts to extend reading and skill practice

  • Guiding questions and activities to support reading the whole book

  • Activities that focus on a range of literacy skills

  • Discussion questions

  • Writing Prompts