1. Mrs. Britz’s 8th grade ELA class
Welcome, students!

2. Welcome to 8th Grade English/Language Arts!
8/23/18 – 1st Day! Yeah!!!
Assign seats
Introductions
Class Expectations
Who R U? Facebook Intro
Bell Work
What makes us human?
Letter to future self

3. Letter to your Awesome Future Self
8th grade is the true edge year before wading into the unknown pool called high school then the ocean of adulthood.
Write a letter to your future self at the end of your 8th grade year. Please address the following:
What do you think your biggest challenges will be and how do you think you will overcome them?
What were your goals and how did you achieve them?
What is the best thing that you predict will happen to you this year?

4. 8/24/19 Bell work Genre notes - (next slide)
Pass out Someday Book Page and write out possible books to read
Genre mixer and write down any possible Someday Books on sheet
(Go to Ms. Mulfinger’s room and complete activity.)
With Someday Book Page go to the library at the beginning of 2nd period.
Go back to classroom and Independent Read (IR).
Last 7 minutes discuss Reading Logs, handout and then complete.

5. Characteristics of Genre The word genre means type or kind
Characteristics of Genre The word genre means type or kind. We use genres as a system to classify books by their common characteristics. Understanding genre will help you know what to expect from a text; it will also help you notice when an author is playing with your expectation of genre.
Poetry / Book in Verse
1. __written in verse
2. __has a common theme / tells a story
3. __writing that is concerned with the beauty of language
4. __attempts to connect with reader emotionally

6. Classics
1. ___book that has “stood the test of time”
2. ___addresses universal themes
3._____________________________________________
Dystopian
1. ___futuristic universe with an illusion of a perfect society
2. __propaganda often used to control citizens
3. __information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted
4. __citizens live in a dehumanized state

7. Realistic Fiction
1. ___a story that could have happened but didn’t__
2. ___realistic characters with possible problems
3. ___outcomes are plausible
4.____________________________________________
Historical Fiction
1. ____based on a person or event from history__
2. ___could have happened in the past but some things are made up
3. ____major historical event may be an essential part
4. ____conflict allows reader to compare the present to the past in order to better understand human nature.

8. Sports
1. ____writer uses sports to drive the plot
2. ___sports play a significant role in protagonist’s life
Fantasy
1. ____contains monsters, magic, or other supernatural elements
2. ____reader must suspend reality
Science Fiction
1. ____deals with aliens, the distant future, or advanced technology
2. ___set in a future that scientific or technological advance could make possible

9. Suspense & Mystery
1. ___writer draws in reader by creating a problem that needs to be solved
2. ___writer provides information little by little; keeps reader wanting more
3. ___uses foreshadowing
4._____________________________________________
Graphic Novels
1. ____includes words and pictures
2. ___tells a complete story
3._____________________________________________

10. Non-Fiction / Informative
1. ___writing that is true and factual
2. ___provides information on a topic
3.____________________________________________
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
1. ___biography: story of one’s life told by another person
2. ___autobiography: story of one’s life told by oneself
3. ___memoir: focused on one time period or aspect of one’s life; told by oneself
4.____________________________________________

11. Let’s Have a Great Year!