1. Course Organizer 8th Grade English/ Language Arts Course Standards:
Teacher(s): Mr. Campbell
Time:
The
Course Organizer
Student:
Course Dates:
What?
Value?
This Course:
8th Grade English/ Language Arts
Course Progress Graph
Course Questions: is
about
Course Standards: 3 1
Assignments/ Projects 40%
Quizzes/ Blogs %
Classwork %
Homework/ Notebook 10%
deliberately practicing and applying language concepts to enhance reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. 2
How do readers closely examine texts and contribute meaningfully to literary conversations?
How does our knowledge of personal narratives, voice, and revision support and strengthen our memoir writing?
How can reading and thinking about literature help us to become more reflective about ourselves and the world?
Why do readers consider a text’s structure, style, influences, and language when critically reflecting and discussing its meaning?
How do writers reflect on the author’s raft and how it impacts the development of the text?
How do readers determine the strongest textual support for their ideas?
Why is it necessary for readers to be aware of the effect of an author’s choices on the way a text’s central message is conveyed?
Why is it important to read an argument critically?
How can writers incorporate technology to enhance their audiences’ understanding of their informational writing?
How do internalized literacy skills help us interact with increasing challenging texts?
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/99
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/98

2. Speaking and Listening
Community
Principles
Learning Rituals
Course Map
This Course:
includes
Teamwork
Norms
Student:
Critical Concepts
Learned in these
Units
8th Grade English/ Language Arts 6 8 7
Class Website Assignments
Cooperative Learning
PBLs
Presentations
Daily Warm-Ups
Guided Reading
Independent Reading
Novel Studies
Technology Based Projects
Memoir Writing
Fiction Writing
Argumentative Writing
Classroom Discussion
Blog Writing and Publishing
I am SAFE
I am RESPECTFUL
I am RESPONSIBLE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4
Unit 1: Chemistry of Change (Agency of Independence and Memoir Writing)
Speaking and Listening
Collaborative Discussions
Presentations
Debate
Conventions
Unit 5: Stress Produces Change (Developing Critical Lenses for Informational Reading)
Reading
Literature
Informational
Poetry
Complex Texts
Writing
Narrative (Memoir)
Informative
Argumentative
Blog Publishing 5
Unit 3: Growing Pains (Collaborative Discussions, Informational Writing, and Argumentative Writing)
Unit 4: Biology and Biohazards (Tackling Complex Texts and Persuasive Speeches)
Unit 6: Zoom In, Zoom Out: Learning in Extremes (Word Relationships and Reading for High School
Unit 2: Economy and Environment (Developing Analytical Reading Practices: Interpretation)
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/99
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/98