1. Curriculum Night 2014-2015 8 th Grade English Language Arts Ms. Steffen

2. Ms. Steffen OWelcome to 8th grade! I am excited to get to know each of you. OI majored in Secondary English Education at the University of Florida. OI have been teaching Language Arts at Centennial Middle School for 9 years. OI truly love the art of language and hope to share it with all of my students.

3. 8 th Grade Expectations O Late Work O Students will be assigned to lunch bunch if they do not complete practice work O Supplies O Pens, pencils, and highlighters O Red Folder O College-Ruled Loose Leaf Paper O Composition Book O Always keep a chapter book with you in your backpack for SSR!

4. Writing O Arguments to support claims O Informative/Explanatory O Narrative O Research/Evidence based O Presentation with Commentary

5. Reading O Literary TextInformational Text O Cite textual evidence*Cite Evidence O Determine theme*Central Idea O Narrative analysis*Text Connections O Compare and contrast*Meaning of Words O Points of view and Phrases O Text to film comparison*Paragraph Structure O Allusion*Media and Argument Analysis * Authors POV

6. Units of Study O Module 1 – Finding Home: Refugees O Focus: Reading Closely and Writing To Learn O Inside Out and Back Again O Standards O Examining How Word Choice Contributes to Meaning and Tone in Literary and Informational Texts O Analysis Essay O Narrative Poetry

7. Units of Study O Module 2– A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Comedy of Control O Focus: Working with Evidence O A Midsummer Night’s Dream O Standards O Text to Film Comparison O Argument Essay O Narrative/Extended Response

8. Units of Study O Module 3– A Mighty Long Way The Civil Rights Movement and the Little Rock Nine O Focus: Understanding Perspectives (Literary Nonfiction) O A Mighty Long Way O Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration O Standards O Evaluate texts O Cite textual evidence that supports an analysis O Informative/Explanatory Writing

9. Units of Study O Module 4– Sustainability of the World’s Food Supply O Focus: Research, Decision-Making, and Forming Positions O The Omnivore’s Dilemma O Standards O Evaluating claims and advocating persuasively O Presentation of Position O Position Paper/Scaffolded Essay

10. How Can You Help? You are the most influential person in your child’s life. Your presence is evidence of your commitment to your child’s success. O Ask your child to share one part of his or her day with you… (sweet/sour, highs/lows) O Check the website and online grades. O If you have any concerns about your child here at school, never hesitate to email! O Look for progress reports 4 th -5 th week. O NEVER hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. We have the same goal for your child which is to help him/her reach his/her highest potential! We’re in this together.

11. Questions/Concerns O Email: lsteffen@kyrene.org O Phone: 480-541-6523