EAST LONGMEADOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2006 - 2007 DISTRICT CURRICULUM GUIDES

Language Arts - Grade 8 Reading

Language Arts

The Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework is designed to guide local school district personnel in the development of effective English language arts curricula. Learning in English language arts is recursive. That is, students at every grade level apply similar language skills and concepts as they use increasingly more complex materials. In this way, students build upon and refine their knowledge, gaining sophistication and independence as they grow. Language, Reading and Literature, Composition, and Media are interdependent. Each strand intertwines with and supports the others. Students might at any time read and write, view and discuss, or interpret and perform in order to understand and communicate meaning. Thus, at all grade levels, effective English language arts curriculum units weave together skills and concepts from several strands to support student learning.

Grade 8 Reading

The Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework provides learning standards for students in grade 8.


Reading Operations
This unit includes constructing meaning from fiction and non-fiction selections at comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and judgment levels of understanding. It includes skills which address identifying, discussing, and comparing both concrete and abstract elements of selections (setting, plot, characterization, genre, historical period, theme, tone, moral message, and psychological and political implications)

    Character: Trait/Emotion/Motivation
The learner will be able to interpret character traits, emotions, or motivations and use textual evidence to support interpretations.
Strand Scope Source
Character Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8.25
  
    Strategies: Connect/Contemporary
The learner will be able to strengthen his or her understanding of literary or non-literary works by connecting it to its contemporary or historical context.
Strand Scope Source
Reading Strategies Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 9
  
    Structure: Recognize/Analyze/Apply
The learner will be able to recognize, analyze, and apply his/her knowledge of the structure and elements in fictional material and support his/her answers with evidence from the text.
Strand Scope Source
Structure Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 12
  
    Character: Language Styles/Examine
The learner will be able to examine language styles of various characters of literary selections.
Strand Scope Source
Character Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 6.7
  
    Theme: Similar Themes/Evaluate
The learner will be able to evaluate similar themes in multiple texts, differentiating theme from topic.
Strand Scope Source
Themes Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 11.4
  
    Persuasive: Identify/Supporting
The learner will be able to identify supporting arguments in texts.
Strand Scope Source
Persuasive Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8.27, 13.22
  
    Figurative Language: Analyze
The learner will be able to analyze the use of figurative language in reading materials.
Strand Scope Source
Figurative Language Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 15.5
  
    Compare/Contrast: Setting/Character
The learner will be able to compare and contrast setting, character, and plot in texts, plays, and films.
Strand Scope Source
Compare/Contrast Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 17.6
  
    Strategies: Features/Use/Find
The learner will be able to use text features to find information in text.
Strand Scope Source
Reading Strategies Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 13.18
  
    Strategies: Vocabulary/Using
The learner will be able to use vocabulary to understand what is read.
Strand Scope Source
Reading Strategies Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 4
  
    Organization: Structure/Identify
The learner will be able to identify organizational structure.
Strand Scope Source
Organization Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8.26, 13.20
  
    Setting: Relate/Artifacts/Creations/Site
The learner will be able to relate a literary work to artifacts, artistic creations, or historical sites of the setting.
Strand Scope Source
Setting Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 9.5
  
    Tone: Interpret/Evidence/Support
The learner will be able to interpret the tone of a reading selection and support it with textual evidence.
Strand Scope Source
Tone Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8.24
  
    Mood: Interpret/Evidence/Support
The learner will be able to interpret the mood of a reading selection and support it with textual evidence.
Strand Scope Source
Mood Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8.24
  
    Interpretation: Facts/Main Ideas/Apply
The learner will be able to apply facts and main ideas as the basis for interpretation.
Strand Scope Source
Interpretation Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8
  
    Support: Elements/Poem
The learner will be able to use examples from the text to support his/her understanding of the elements of a poem.
Strand Scope Source
Support Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 14
  
    Analyzing: Value/Informational
The learner will be able to analyze text for informational value.
Strand Scope Source
Analyzing Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 24
  
    Analyzing: Genre/Conventions/Use
The learner will be able to use his/her knowledge of genre conventions to analyze reading materials.
Strand Scope Source
Analyzing Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 8.23
  
    Trait: Resolution/Analyze
The learner will be able to analyze how the traits of main characters shape the resolution of the plot.
Strand Scope Source
Character: Trait Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 12.4
  
    Analyze: Plot Development/Reading
The learner will be able to analyze plot development in a reading selection.
Strand Scope Source
Plot: Analyze Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 12.4
  
    Analyze: Similar Themes
The learner will be able to analyze similar themes in multiple texts, differentiating theme from topic.
Strand Scope Source
Themes: Analyze Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 11.4
  
    Analyze: Support
The learner will be able to analyze themes as they occur in literature and give supporting evidence from the text.
Strand Scope Source
Themes: Analyze Master MA: Curriculum Framework, 2001, Grade 8, 11
  

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