Windsor Unified School District Grade 8 Course Outline

Homework
Grade 8 students should be expected to spend an average of 90 minutes to two hours on homework each day. Homework should reinforce skill development and encourage family participation. Assignments should help develop good study habits and may include occasional special projects.

Reading and Listening
Our eighth grade reading and listening program reflects a balanced approach. Our program includes but is not limited to:

* Shared reading of stories, poems, and content material as a whole group(R3.1)
* Reading independently and silently for pleasure and knowledge(R2.0)
* Using consumer and technical materials
* The Elements of Literature (authoršs intent, point of view, recognition and interpretation of literary theme, symbolism)(R2.7)(R3.4)(R3.6)(R3.7)
* Connecting themes to onešs personal life, other literature, and historical events and themes(R3.3)
* Strategies for reading in content areas
* Vocabulary development and word analysis(R1.0)

Themes stressed at this level:

* Change(R3.5)
* Growing up(R3.5)

Genre (types of literature) studied:

* Autobiography(R3.7)
* Historical fiction(R3.7)
* Poetry(R3.1)

Core reading list (R3.0)(books required for Grade 8):

* Light in the Forest
* Witch of Blackbird Pond
* Across Five Aprils
*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
*To Kill A Mockingbird
*Parrot in the Oven


The extended reading list(R3.0):

One Harry Potter book must be read during the school year; the rest must be either historical fiction or Newberry Award books.


Composition and Speaking
Students use written and oral language across the curriculum to convey meaning. Students also receive instruction in grammar and spelling.

Grade 8 student writing will demonstrate:

*Clear, coherent, complete sentences and sentence structures(R1.1)(R1.3)
*Cohesive paragraphs using transitional phrases(W1.6)
*The writing process (pre-writing, draft, revision, editing, final copy)(W1.6)(C1.0)
*An original, focused, coherent topic with supporting paragraphs which gives an articulate opinion or convincingly persuades(W1.1)(W2.0)
*The ability to write to a specific audience(LS1.0)(W2.5)
* Use of descriptive language(W1.6)
* Appropriate use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formats(C1.5)
* Creation of technical documents
* Use of standard business documents
* Use of appropriate reference materials(W1.4)
* Analysis and evaluation of other's work
* Use of visual aids
* Summaries

Students' written and oral presentations will include:

* Biographical Sketch(W2.1)
* Plays
* Evaluation Essay(W2.2)
* Poetry(R3.1)
* Report of Information(W2.3)(LS2.3)
* Autobiographical Incident(W2.1)
* Literature response(W2.2)(LS2.2)
* Story (with all literary elements)(W2.1)(LS1.5)(LS1.6) (LS2.1)
* Speech/Debate
* Instructions


Social Science
Students learn to appreciate different cultures and how they interact in order to gather insight into onešs own. The theme for Grade 8 is, "U.S. History - Growth and Conflict." Students examine:

* The Constitution of the United States(8.1)(8.2)(8.3)
* Current events
* Contributions of diverse populations(8.7)
* The New Nation(8.4)(8.5)
* The Opening of the West(8.8)
* Civil War and Reconstruction(8.6)(8.7)(8.9)(8.10)(8.11)
* Rise of Industrial America(8.12)
* U.S. Geography(8.4)


In case you failed to notice, THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS YEAR. My job is to get you ready for the high school, so I suggest you keep on top of the work.


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