8th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies Curriculum Overview
Reading
• At-home reading (1/2 hour per day - collected every two weeks with a parent
signature);
• SSR- must have a novel with you every day for in-class reading;
• Regular ‘Read Aloud’;
• Literary terms, devices, genres and writer’s craft explored;
• Newspaper - ‘reading for information’ activities;
• Biweekly Upfront - NY Times for Teens;
• Novels - literature circles will be formed as well as whole class novel studies;
• Independent Book Projects;
• Prentice Hall reading textbook;
• Reader’s Theatre.
Writing
• Autobiographical pieces (as well as journal writing);
• Practice in the four modes - narrative, expository, persuasive, and imaginative;
• Experience using the state scoring guide;
• Writing Workshops for creating and sharing students’ writing;
• Mini grammar lessons to work on conventions and sentence fluency;
• Regular vocabulary assignments.
Speaking
• Multiple opportunities to present in groups and before the entire class.
Geography
• Five themes explored;
• Focus on U.S. and World physical geography.
History
• U.S. through Industrialism
• Multiple perspectives regarding issues of justice
Current Events
• As they arise • Presidential Elections/Balance of Powers;
Technology
• Inspiration • Word processing • Internet
