COURSE INTRODUCTION: Eighth grade builds on sixth and seventh grade skills by providing both more complexity and independence in tasks and materials in order to prepare students for the rigor of high school and the 21st Century. Students will tackle works of exceptional craft across genres through wide and deep reading of literature and literary non-fiction of increasing complexity. Students will write in narrative, expository and persuasive modes while considering task, purpose and audience. They will explore a variety of structures and formats in order to create both on-demand and multiple draft writing. Students will have multiple opportunities to contribute appropriately and listen attentively to others as they participate in a variety of conversational modes: whole class, small group and partner. Students will develop more control over the conventions of standard English. Units in this course are designed to draw standards from all strands to emphasize the skills are interwoven in school and life. SUGGESTED UNIT TIMELINE: approx. 4 weeks CLASS PERIOD (min.): 45 minutes/daily UNIT DESCRIPTION: Pure Poetry Students will be provided with rich opportunities to read and think critically as they analyze how poetry differs from prose in structure, form, purpose, and language. Classic works of poetry will be introduced as students add to their understanding and appreciation of the genre, and discover that poetry can break traditional rules and expand into the realm of visual art expression. Extension activities will involve students writing their own original poetry and sharing their pieces through oral poetry performances. Unit Suggestions Throughout this unit, encourage students to collect and share works of poetry that they connect with or that they find meaningful. This could be done through writing notebooks, a class wiki or blog, etc.
COURSE INTRODUCTION: Eighth grade builds on sixth and seventh grade skills by providing both more complexity and independence in tasks and materials in order to prepare students for the rigor of high school and the 21st Century. Students will tackle works of exceptional craft across genres through wide and deep reading of literature and literary non-fiction of increasing complexity. Students will write in narrative, expository and persuasive modes while considering task, purpose and audience. They will explore a variety of structures and formats in order to create both on-demand and multiple draft writing. Students will have multiple opportunities to contribute appropriately and listen attentively to others as they participate in a variety of conversational modes: whole class, small group and partner. Students will develop more control over the conventions of standard English. Units in this course are designed to draw standards from all strands to emphasize the skills are interwoven in school and life. UNIT DESCRIPTION: Pure Poetry Students will be provided with rich opportunities to read and think critically as they analyze how poetry differs from prose in structure, form, purpose, and language. Classic works of poetry will be introduced as students add to their understanding and appreciation of the genre, and discover that poetry can break traditional rules and expand into the realm of visual art expression. Extension activities will involve students writing their own original poetry and sharing their pieces through oral poetry performances. Unit Suggestions Throughout this unit, encourage students to collect and share works of poetry that they connect with or that they find meaningful. This could be done through writing notebooks, a class wiki or blog, etc. SUGGESTED UNIT TIMELINE: approx. 4 weeks CLASS PERIOD (min.): 45 minutes/daily
ela-8-pure_poetry-unit_template.docx