Grade 8 WRITING PROCESS
*PREWRITING
STANDARD: The student will use prewriting strategies to generate ideas and formulate a plan
LA.8.3.1.1- generate ideas from multiple sources (prior knowledge, discussion with others, writer’s notebook, research materials, other reliable sources) based upon teacher directed topics and personal interests
LA.8.3.1.2-make a plan for writing that addresses purpose, audience, main idea, logical sequence, time frame for completion
LA.8.3.1.3-use organizational strategies and tools (technology, spreadsheet, outline, chart, table, graph, Venn diagram, web, story map, plot pyramid) to develop personal organizational style
*DRAFTING
STANDARD: The student will write a draft appropriate to the topic, audience, purpose
LA.8.3.2.1-develop ideas from the prewriting plan using primary and secondary sources appropriate to the purpose and audience
LA.8.3.2.2-establish a logical organizational pattern with supporting details that are substantial, specific, and relevant
LA.8.3.2.3-analyze language techniques of professional authors ( rhythm, varied sentence structure) to develop a personal style, demonstrating a command of language with freshness of expression
*REVISING
STANDARD: The student will revise and refine the draft for clarity and effectiveness
LA.8.3.3.1-evaluate the draft for development of ideas and content, logical organization, voice, point of view, word choice, and sentence variation
LA.8.3.3.2-create clarity and logic by maintaining central theme, idea, or unifying point and developing relationships among ideas
LA.8.3.3.3-create precision and interest by elaborating ideas through supporting details (facts, statistics, expert opinion, anecdotes), a variety of sentence structures, creative language devices, modifying word choices using resources and reference materials (dictionary, thesaurus)
LA.8.3.3.4-applying appropriate tools, strategies to evaluate and refine the draft (peer review, self assessment, checklist)
*EDITING FOR LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS
STANDARD: The student will edit and correct the draft for standard language conventions
LA.8.3.4.1-edit for correct use of spelling, using spelling rules, orthographic patterns, generalizations, knowledge of root words, prefixes, suffixes, knowledge of Greek/Latin root words and using a dictionary , thesaurus, other source as necessary
LA.8.3.4.2-edit for capitalization
LA.8.3.4.3-edit for punctuation (commas, colons, semicolons, quotation marks, apostrophe
LA.8.3.4.4-edit for parts of speech (noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, conjunction, preposition, interjection), regular, irregular verbs, pronoun agreement
LA.8.3.4.5-edit for subject/verb agreement, noun/pronoun agreement
PUBLISHING(PRESENTATION)
STANDARD: The student will write a final product for an intended audience.
LA.8.3.5.1-prepare writing using technology in a format appropriate to audience and purpose
LA.8.3.5.2-use elements of spacing and design for graphics (tables, charts, drawings) when applicable to enhance the presentation of the document)
LA.8.3.5.3-share the writing with an audience
Grade 8 WRITING APPLICATIONS
*CREATIVE
STANDARD: The student develops and demonstrates creative writing.
LA.8.4.1.1- write narrative accounts with an engaging plot (rising action, conflict, suspense, climax, falling action, resolution) and that use a range of appropriate strategies and specific narrative action (dialogue, movement, gestures, expressions) and include well-chosen details using both narrative and descriptive strategies (relevant dialogue, specific action, physical description, background description, comparison/contrast of characters)
LA.8.4.1.2-write a variety of expressive forms (realistic fiction, one-act play, suspense story, poetry) that according to the type of writing employed, incorporate figurative language, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format
*INFORMATIVE
STANDARD: The student develops and demonstrates expository writing that provides information related to real world tasks
LA.8.4.2.1-write in a variety of technical/informational forms (summaries, procedures, instructions, experiments, rubrics, assembly instructions)
LA.8.4.2.2-record information (observations, notes, lists, charts, legends) related to a topic, including visual aids to organize and record information, and cite sources of information
LA.8.4.2.3-write expository essays (process, description, explanation, comparison/contrast, problem/solution) that include a thesis statement, supporting details, organizational structure, introductory, body and concluding paragraphs
LA.8.4.2.4-write a variety of informal communications (friendly letters, thank-you notes, messages), and formal communications (business letters, invitations) that follow a format, have a clearly stated purpose that include the date. Proper salutation, body, closing, signature
LA.8.2.4.5-write detailed directions to unfamiliar locations using cardinal and ordinal directions, landmarks, streets, distances, and create an accompanying map
*PERSUASIVE
STANDARD: The student develops and demonstrates persuasive writing that is used for the purpose of influencing the reader.
LA.8.4.3.1- write persuasive text (advertisement, speech, essay, public service announcement) that establish and develop a controlling idea and support arguments for the validity of the proposed idea with detailed evidence
LA.8.4.3.2-include persuasive techniques (word choice, repetition, emotional appeal, hyperbole, appeal to authority, celebrity endorsement, rhetorical question, irony, symbols, card stacking)
Grade 8 COMMUNICATION
*PENMANSHIP
STANDARD: The student engages in the writing process and writes to communicate ideas and experiences.
LA.8.5.1.1-use fluent and legible handwriting skills
*LISTENING AND SPEAKING
LA.8.5.2.1-demonstrate effective listening skills and behaviors for a variety of purposes, and demonstrate understanding by paraphrasing and summarizing
LA.8.5.2.2-use effective listening and speaking strategies for informal and formal discussions, connecting to and building on the ideas of a previous speaker and respecting the viewpoints of others when identifying bias or faulty logic
LA.8.5.2.3-select and use a variety of creative oral language techniques for clarity and effect (connotation, denotation, hyperbole, understatement)
LA.8.5.2.4-research, organize, effectively deliver speeches to entertain, inform, persuade
LA.8.5.2.5-demonstrate language choices, body language, eye contact, gestures, appropriate use of graphics, available technology
Grade 8 INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY
*INFORMATIONAL TEXT
STANDARD: The student comprehends the wide array of informational text that is part of our day today experiences.
LA.8.6.1.1-explain how text features(charts, maps, diagrams, subheadings, captions, illustrations, graphs) aid the reader’s understanding
LA.8.6.1.2-use information form a variety of consumer (warranties, manuals), workplace(applications, contracts) and other documents to explain a situation and justify a decision
LA.8.6.1.3-create a technical manual, solve a problem
*RESEARCH PROCESS
STANDARD: The student uses a systematic process for the collection, processing, and presentation of information
LA.8.6.2.1-select a topic and develop a search plan with multiple research strategies, apply evaluative criteria to assess appropriateness if resources
LA.8.6.2.2-assess, organize, synthesize, and evaluate the validity and reliability of information in text, using a variety of techniques by examining several sources of information, including primary and secondary sources
LA.8.6.2.3-write an informational report that includes a focused topic, appropriate facts and relevant details, logical sequence, concluding statement, list of sources
LA.8.6.2.4-understand the importance of legal and ethical practices, including laws regarding libel, slander, copyright, plagiarism in the use of mass media and digital sources, know the consequences, comply with the law.
*MEDIA LITERACY
STANDARD: The student develops and demonstrates an understanding of media literacy as a life skill that is integral to informed decision making
LA.8.3.6.1-analyze ways that production elements (graphics, color, motion, sound, digital technology) affect communications across the media
LA.8.3.6.2-demonstrate the ability to select and ethically use print and nonprint media appropriate for the purpose, occasion, audience to develop into a formal presentation
LA.8.6.3.3-distinguish between propaganda and ethical reasoning strategies in print and nonprint media
*TECHNOLOGY
STANDARD: The student develops the essential technology skills for using and understanding conventional and current tools, materials and processes.
LA.8.6.4.1-use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (video, digital technology)
LA.8.6.4.2-evaluate and apply digital tools (word processing, multimedia authoring, web tools, graphic organizers) to publications and presentations
