Welcome to Grade 8
Click the words in yellow to open another link
How to open a combination lock
Video on opening a combination lock
Identity:
- WHO AM I POSTER: Create a poster that represents who you are using the template provided in class. You have creative freedom to represent your identity on a poster using words, images, magazine cut outs, photographs, etc. Remember that there is a lot about you that people can't see. Refer to the rubric and the example to help guide you through this project.
- INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK: Bring in materials to decorate the cover of your interactive notebook. You should have your table of contents, rubric and parts of speech glued into you book.
- syllabus
Christmas/Winter poetry & writing- ENGLISH STUDENTS
We will read a series of poems over the next few weeks. You will be writing your own poems and practicing different types of writing.
Wenjack by Joseph Boyden & The Secret Path-FRENCH IMMERSION STUDENTS
We will read the novel and watch the music videos for The Secret Path. Complete the work booklet as we cover each lesson in class. Your symbolism project is due the week before Christmas.
The Outsiders (OUTSIDERS E-BOOK)
- outsiders_radio_news.docx Heroes or Hoods: radio broadcasts
- The Outsiders compare and contrast essay that looks at the Socs and the greasers.
- Compare and contrast graphic organizer
- Watch the following video to learn how to write a hook
- Watch this video to review the point by point and block method essay structure
- Here is an example of a compare and contrast essay. Please use this as a guide. Pay close attention to the thesis, topic sentences, transition words, examples and the conclusion.
- Complete your wanted poster for one of the characters in the story.
- Nothing Gold Can Stay poetry analysis
- Complete the music analysis sheet with the songs from class
Newspapers
- How to write news articles: Watch video on inverted pyramid structure
- Read and summarize an article using the inverted pyramid structure.
- Write an article using the inverted pyramid structure. Here are the instructions and the rubric that we will use to evaluate the articles.
- Read an article from the Beaverton. Would you believe this at first glance? What does this teach you about believing everything that you read?
Writing
- Short Story Writing assignment
- Descriptive Writing: Write a descriptive paragraph about any subject. Write one that creates a positive mood and one that creates a negative mood. Use the notes from your interactive notebook to help you.
- Old Photo Writing Assignment (this piece is meant to evoke strong emotions in the reader)
- Narrative writing: Write a personal narrative that tells about an important life lesson you have learned. Use the graphic organizer provided to structure your essay. Remember to include a captivating hook and thesis that is supported in the body paragraphs. Include descriptive details to make your story come to life.
- How to write a hook
- How to write a thesis
- How to write a conclusion
- Compare and Contrast Essays: Review this link if you are having difficulty remembering what to do. This is an additional video that will help you with your essay structure.
- Wonder: Compare and Contrast Essay
Poetry
- Literary Devices: Complete note in interactive note book and watch Literary Devices in Pop Culture
- Read My little Residential School Suitcase
- Identify the literary devices being used. What is being compared in the metaphors? What do they mean?
- How does the poem make you feel?
- Draw a visual representation of the poem.
- Read I lost my Talk and answer the questions on the worksheet provided in class.
- Complete an I am From poem. The goal of this assignment is to represent who you are through poetry. Feel free to use the template provided, but remember that you will move into the exceeding expectations if you include more. Think about including some of the literary devices we have learned to help make your poem more interesting. On your final draft, make sure you decorate your page with things that represent who you are. Check to make sure your spelling is correct. You may choose to use parts of your identity poster for this.
Elements of Stories
- Watch La Luna and complete the following assignment. Write your final copy of your work on the film strip
- Read On the Sidewalk Bleeding by Evan Hunter
- Write a news paper article summarizing the events that happened in "On the Sidewalk Bleeding". Refer to the Newspaper section to review what is included in an article.
- Write an alternative ending for On the Bridge.
- Review how to answer questions using complete sentences. Compete the questions for The Test.
- Interactive Notebook:
- Paragraph structure (topic sentence, support x 3 and concluding paragraph) Graphic Organizer for a paragraph.
- Characterization Characterization STEAL (Speech, thoughts, effect of others, actions, looks)
- Read On the Bridge by Todd Strasser
- Record how you felt about Adam and Seth before and after the incident. What techniques did the author use to make you feel this way?
- Adam says that one of the "three big guys" had a knife. Decide whether or not you believe him. Find support from the story for your opinion.
- What sort of person do you think the author will read "On the Bridge"? Write a paragraph to explain your ideas. Support your opinion with examples from the story.
- What is Theme? Watch the video about theme by Mr. Sato and write a note about theme on page 3 of your interactive notebook.
- Read The Test by Phil Aponte (Power Point) and complete the plot diagram and questions.
- SHORT STORIES: watch the video and fill in as much as you can in the plot_diagram. We are going learn more about each element as we study a variety of short stories.
- INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK: Copy definitions for the parts of speech into your notebook. Write three examples on the left page and identify each part of speech in the sentences.
- Review this parts of speech poster for your quiz