This document provides a checklist of skills and standards for 8th grade English language arts. It covers reading literature and informational texts, writing arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives, speaking and listening skills, and using standard English conventions. The checklist includes over 80 individual standards that students should be able to demonstrate mastery of by the end of 8th grade English.
This document provides a checklist of skills and standards for 8th grade English language arts. It covers reading literature and informational texts, writing arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives, speaking and listening skills, and using standard English conventions. The checklist includes over 80 individual standards that students should be able to demonstrate mastery of by the end of 8th grade English.
This document provides a checklist of skills and standards for 8th grade English language arts. It covers reading literature and informational texts, writing arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives, speaking and listening skills, and using standard English conventions. The checklist includes over 80 individual standards that students should be able to demonstrate mastery of by the end of 8th grade English.
This document provides a checklist of skills and standards for 8th grade English language arts. It covers reading literature and informational texts, writing arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives, speaking and listening skills, and using standard English conventions. The checklist includes over 80 individual standards that students should be able to demonstrate mastery of by the end of 8th grade English.
❏ RL.8.1: I can cite the best piece of evidence that shows what a text states explicitly, as well as what can be inferred. ❏ RL.8.2: I can find the theme or main idea of a text. I can look closely at the way the theme develops and how the theme relates to the story elements. I can summarize a text without inserting my personal opinion. ❏ RL.8.3: I can explain how elements in a piece of literature (such as dialogue and events) move the action forward, show what a character is really like, and lead to decisions. ❏ RL.8.4: I can tell you the meaning of words and phrases that I have read. I can explain figurative and connotative meanings. I can analyze how certain word choices (including analogies and references to other texts) affect meaning and tone. ❏ RL.8.5: I can compare and contrast how two or more texts are organized, and how their organization helps to provide meaning and style. ❏ RL.8.6: I can explain how an author creates effects like suspense and humor by using different points of view. ❏ RL.8.7: I can explain how much a filmed or live story/play is similar to the original text/script version. I can explain why the author/director made certain decisions during production. ❏ RL.8.9: I can explain how present-day fiction uses elements from the past, including traditional stories, myths, and religious works. I can tell you how these elements are changed for modern times. ❏ RL.8.10: I can read grade level literature. I understand what I am reading.
I Can Read Informational Text:
❏ RI.8.1: I can correctly cite many pieces of evidence to strongly support what the text says, as well as what the text implies through inferences. ❏ RI.8.2: I can figure out the main idea of a text. I can explain how the main idea develops throughout the text along with its supporting ideas. I can summarize a text without including my opinions and judgments. ❏ RI.8.3: I can analyze how people, events, and ideas in a text are connected and how they differ from each other. ❏ RI.8.4: I can tell you the meaning of words and phrases that I have read. I can explain figurative and connotative meanings. I can analyze how certain word choices (including analogies and references to other texts) affect meaning and tone. ❏ RI.8.5: I can examine the way a paragraph is structured, including the roles of certain sentences. I can look specifically at text features in consumer materials. ❏ RI.8.5.A: I can analyze the use of text features (e.g., graphics, headers, captions) in consumer materials. ❏ RI.8.6: I can tell you about an author's point of view and purpose. I can explain how an author responds to evidence and different points of view. ❏ RI.8.7: I can explain the pros and cons of using certain formats (texts, videos, etc.) to present an idea. ❏ RI.8.8: I can assess the effectiveness of an argument by determining which claims use sound reasons and evidence to support their claims and which do not. I can point out evidence that is not relevant to the topic. ❏ RI.8.9: I can compare and contrast the way two different texts present information on the same topic. I can discuss how the texts interpret the information differently. ❏ RI.8.10: I can read and understand grade-level informational text.
I Can Write:
❏ W.8.1: I can write arguments. I can support my arguments with reasons and evidence. ❏ W.8.1a: I can introduce a claim. I can acknowledge opposing viewpoints and explain how my viewpoint is different. I can clearly organize my reasons and evidence. ❏ W.8.1b: I can support my claims and counterarguments with logical reasons and evidence. I can use reliable sources and show that I understand the topic. ❏ W.8.1c: I can explain the relationships between claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence using appropriate words, phrases, and clauses. ❏ W.8.1d: I can use a formal style in my writing. ❏ W.8.1e: I can write a conclusion that supports the argument I presented. ❏ W.8.2: I can write informative/explanatory texts (like business letters and applications) in order to study a topic. I can choose and organize relevant information to go along with my topic. ❏ W.8.2a: I can clearly introduce my topic/thesis and organize my ideas into categories. I can format my writing using text features and multimedia to help the reader understand the topic. ❏ W.8.2b: I can include relevant and well-chosen facts, definitions, examples, quotations, details, and other information to develop my topic. ❏ W.8.2c: I can use effective transitions to tie my ideas together. ❏ W.8.2d: I can use academic vocabulary to write about my topic. ❏ W.8.2e: I can write using a formal style. ❏ W.8.2f: I can write a conclusion that follows and supports the information I presented. ❏ W.8.3: I can write a narrative about a real or imagined experience or event. I can use proper techniques, descriptive details, and a clear sequence of events in my writing. ❏ W.8.3a: I can involve my reader by effectively introducing my narrator and characters, and by establishing a point of view. I can organize my writing so that the events occur in a logical sequence. ❏ W.8.3b: I can develop my story using the narrative techniques of dialogue, description, reflection and pacing. ❏ W.8.3c: I can show the shift from one time or setting to another using transitional words, phrases, and clauses. I can also show the relationship among experiences and events. ❏ W.8.3d: I can show action and events in my story using descriptive language, exact words/phrases, and sensory language. ❏ W.8.3e: I can end my writing with a conclusion that follows the narrated story I presented. ❏ W.8.4: I can create a clear piece of writing that keeps the task, purpose, and audience in mind. ❏ W.8.5: I can get help from peers and adults to strengthen my writing and make sure that I've focused on my purpose and audience. ❏ W.8.6: I can get help from technology, the Internet, and other people to produce and publish my writing. I can clearly show relationships between ideas and information. ❏ W.8.7: I can complete short research projects. I can use several sources to answer questions, including questions I come up with. I can produce focused questions for further research. ❏ W.8.8: I can use search terms, gather information from more than one source, and determine if my sources are credible and accurate. I can take notes without plagiarizing and cite appropriately. ❏ W.8.9: I can get evidence from different texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. ❏ W.8.9a: I can apply the reading standards to literature. ❏ W.8.9b: I can apply the reading standards to literary non-fiction. ❏ W.8.10: I can write for long and short time frames. I can write for different tasks, purposes, and audiences.
I Can Share and Listen:
❏ SL.8.1: I can participate in class discussions in different sized groups and with different partners. I can listen thoughtfully and build on others' ideas about a variety of topics and issues. ❏ SL.8.1a: I can prepare for discussions ahead of time by learning about the material in advance. I can cite evidence, ask questions, and reflect during the discussion. ❏ SL.8.1b: I can follow rules for discussions by choosing individual roles, setting goals and deadlines, and tracking progress. ❏ SL.8.1c: I can ask questions that connect the ideas of several speakers. I can answer and expand on specific questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas. ❏ SL.8.1d: I can accept information provided by other speakers. I can change or defend their views based on the evidence. ❏ SL.8.2: I can look closely at the purpose of information presented in different ways. I can understand the motivates behind the presentation. ❏ SL.8.3: I can identify a speaker's arguments and claims towards their topic. I can describe the claims that are supported by evidence and those that are not. I can tell you if there is enough evidence provided, and if any of the evidence is irrelevant. ❏ SL.8.4: I can deliver an oral report to present my claims and findings. I can clearly focus, organize, and support my ideas with evidence, reasoning, and details. I can speak at a good pace, at a reasonable volume, and I can use appropriate eye contact. ❏ SL.8.4a: I can deliver a narrative that sets the scene and point of view, has a logical order, uses narrative techniques and transitions, and provides a conclusion that reflects the experience. ❏ SL.8.5: I can use multimedia components and visuals to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and make my presentation interesting. ❏ SL.8.6: I can use appropriate speech, including formal English, for different situations.
I Can Use Standard English When I Speak and Write:
❏ L.8.1: I can effectively use standard English grammar when writing or speaking. ❏ L.8.1a: I can explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and how they are used in specific sentences. ❏ L.8.1b: I can make and use verbs in the active and passive voice. ❏ L.8.1c: I can make and use verbs in the following moods: indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive. ❏ L.8.1d: I can tell you when the voice or mood of a verb changes in an incorrect way. ❏ L.8.2: I can effectively write while using standard English punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. ❏ L.8.2a: I can use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to show a pause or break. ❏ L.8.2b: I can use an ellipsis to show that something has been omitted. ❏ L.8.2c: I can spell words correctly. ❏ L.8.3: I can use what I know about language when speaking, listening, reading, and writing. ❏ L.8.3a: I can use verbs in the active and passive voice, and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve a particular effect. ❏ L.8.4: I can figure out the correct meaning of words/phrases by using different strategies. ❏ L.8.4a: I can use the context of a word to figure out the meaning of a word. ❏ L.8.4b: I can use Greek or Latin root words and affixes as clues to determine what a word means. ❏ L.8.4c: I can use an online or print dictionary, glossary, or thesaurus to help with finding the correct pronunciation, part of speech, meaning, or etymology of a word. ❏ L.8.4d: I can confirm the initial determination of the meaning of a word/phrase. I can do this by checking the inferred meaning in a dictionary or in context. ❏ L.8.5: I can understand figurative language, word relationships, and small differences in word meanings. ❏ L.8.5a: I can understand figures of speech in context. ❏ L.8.5b: I can use the relationship between certain words to better understand the individual words. ❏ L.8.5c: I can distinguish meanings of words (denotations) from similar associations (connotations). ❏ L.8.6: I can find and use grade-level academic words, phrases, and vocabulary to aid in comprehension.
