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Language Arts - G8

Course Name: Language Arts Grade 8

Course #: M1822, M1827, M1828, M1829

 

Course Description: Aligned to the New Jersey State Student Learning Standards, the eighth grade language arts course is designed to develop critical readers and writers through reinforcing and refining essential literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. Students are exposed to a variety of genres: drama, poetry, and contemporary and traditional texts in fiction and nonfiction. Classroom instruction emphasizes literature discussion, meaningful written response to literature, vocabulary development, and application of reading strategies. As part of this course, students also participate in independent reading in order to foster a love of reading and encourage life-long learning.

 

Course Proficiencies: The following is a list of proficiencies that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do as a result of successfully completing this course. The proficiencies are the basis of the assessment of student achievement. The learner will demonstrate the ability to:


 

  • Cite a range of textual evidence and make clear and relevant connections to strongly support an analysis of multiple aspects of what a literary text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (NJSLS.RL.CR.8.1.)
  • Cite a range of textual evidence and make clear and relevant connections (including informational text features such as charts, graphs, and diagrams) that strongly support an analysis of multiple aspects of what an informational text says explicitly, as well as inferences drawn from the text. (NJSLS.RI.CR.8.1.)
  • Determine a theme of a literary text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. (NJSLS.RL.CI.8.2.)
  • Determine a central idea of an informational text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. (NJSLS.RI.CI.8.2.)
  • Analyze how particular elements of a text interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot, how ideas influence individuals or events, or how characters influence ideas or events) across multiple text types, including across literary and informational texts. (NJSLS.RL.IT.8.3.)
  • Analyze how particular elements of a text interact (e.g., how contexts influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events) across multiple text types, including across literary and informational texts. (NJSLS.RI.IT.8.3.)
  • Compare and contrast the structure of texts, analyzing how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning, tone and style. (NJSLS.RL.TS.8.4.)
  • Analyze and explain how an author organizes, develops and presents ideas, establishes a point of view or builds supporting arguments through text structure. (NJSLS.RI.TS.8.4.)
  • Analyze how an author conveys or develops their perspective or purpose in a text through the use of different perspectives of the characters and that of the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony). (NJSLS.RL.PP.8.5.)
  • Analyze how an author conveys or develops their perspective or purpose in a text and by acknowledging and responding to conflicting evidence or viewpoints. (NJSLS.RI.PP.8.5.)
  • Evaluate the choices made (by the authors, directors or actors) when presenting an idea in different mediums, including the representation/s or various perspectives of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), as well as what is emphasized or absent in each work.  (NJSLS.RL.MF.8.6.)
  • Evaluate the choices made (by the authors, directors, or actors) when presenting an idea in different mediums and the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) to address a question or solve a problem. (NJSLS.RI.MF.8.6.)
  • Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. (NJSLS.RI.AA.8.7.)
  • Analyze and reflect on how the author’s idea in fiction and literary nonfiction texts (e.g., practical knowledge, historical/cultural context, and background knowledge) is shaped by the author’s emphasis on different evidence, advancing different interpretations of facts, or fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period. (NJSLS.RL.CT.8.8.)
  • Analyze and reflect on (e.g., practical knowledge, historical/cultural context, and background knowledge) two or more informational texts that provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation. (NJSLS.RI.CT.8.8.)
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. (NJSLS.SL.PE.8.1.)
  • Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation. (NJSLS.SL.II.8.2.)
  • Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced. (NJSLS.SL.ES.8.3.)
  • Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. (NJSLS.SL.PI.8.4.)
  • Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (NJSLS.SL.UM.8.5.)
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (NJSLS.SL.AS.8.6.)
  • Demonstrate command of the system and structure of the English language when writing or speaking. (NJSLS.L.SS.8.1.)
  • Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. (NJSLS.L.KL.8.2.)
  • Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, including technical meanings, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. (NJSLS.L.VL.8.3.)
  • Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. (NJSLS.L.VI.8.4.)

 

Assessments:

 

  1. Tests/Quizzes
  2. Open-ended responses and essays
  3. Classroom discussion
  4. Individual and group projects
  5. Multimedia presentations
  6. Portfolios