8th Grade English Mrs. Marcia Huber mhuber@lejardinacademy.com

English 8 is a year-long required English course consisting of four strands or areas of learning: literature, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. Students strive to become literate readers and writers through vocabulary development, an understanding and application of grammar rules, using the writing process proficiently, and developing reading strategies.

Literature: Novel studies, poetry, short story selections, and plays/drama are the focus. Book choices include The Pigman, Lilies of the Field, Shabanu, The Kite Rider, The Baboon King and other titles. The Language of Literature (McDougall Littell), an anthology of various forms of literature, is another text resource. Students are responsible for reading independently at home, maintaining a reading log, and completing written analyses focusing on those novels.

Vocabulary: Words are selected from SAT, literature, and team vocabulary lists. Using words correctly in context is tested.

Grammar: Students examine the structure of the English language using the text, Painless Grammar. Parts of speech, usage, and mechanics are emphasized.

Writing: The Jane Schaffer method of paragraph/essay construction is the primary focus of instruction. The writing process includes brainstorming ideas, planning, writing a rough draft, editing, producing a final copy, and sharing with an audience. Students write paragraphs, essays (narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive), a research paper, and poetry.

Grades for each trimester are based on the following:

Extra credit is awarded to those students who go beyond the requirements on a particular assignment and extra credit assignments are always available upon request.