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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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8th ELA Family

Dear Eighth Grade Families:

Welcome to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Family Pages. We hope the information you find here assists you in supporting your child while s/he is learning important skills and concepts throughout the eighth grade year.                                                                              To take a deeper look at each unit go to:  Atlas: Eighth Grade ELA         

 
The Council of Great City Schools provides information on such topics as: 1) the progression of student learning across grade levels; 2) suggestions for helping your child at home; 3) questions to ask your child's teacher for a better understanding of your child's growth; 4) parents may find ways to enrich a child's work at home by understanding the learning that will happen in the following year.
Eighth Grade English Language Arts Units 
 
Independent Reading
In this yearlong unit, students select novels, audiobooks, podcasts, magazines, blogs, websites, and read fiction and informational text to understand themselves and the world around them. Students will understand the importance of their lifelong reading habits and apply lessons from other units to their independent reading.
 
Word Study / Language
The Word Study/Language unit is a year long study of how words and language impact understanding; it is integral to English Language Arts. By focusing on Greek and Latin roots and affixes as well as academic vocabulary, students develop nuanced understandings of grade level language. The study of grammar and vocabulary is a year long experience embedded in reading and writing activities in the classroom. Students will demonstrate their understanding in writing projects and assignments all year long.
 
Argumentative Writing
Students will focus on understanding how authors use claims, evidence, and reasoning. Students will use these techniques within their own research and writing. By critically analyzing arguments and persuasive presentations for validity, accuracy and clarity, students will become more effective consumers of information. Students will analyze persuasive devices in mentor texts as they develop their own persuasive writing.
 
Research Writing
Students will learn and understand research process through choosing a topic, reading research, taking notes, and writing a piece that reflects the research and conclusions made by the student. This research writing may take the form of 1) a multi-genre research project (a series of pieces that deal with the same subject matter and research) or 2) several small research pieces or 3) may be conducted in conjunction with another unit. In determining the reliability of sources, readers consider bias, the publication, the author's purpose, and the author's authority.
 
Creative Writing
Students will participate in a writing workshop that will reinforce their understanding of literary devices as they write creatively. This may take many forms such as poetry, personal narrative, short story, drama, PSA, graphic novel/story, etc.
 
Science Fiction Genre Study
Students will experience an immersion into the genre of science fiction through both reading and writing. This genre study may be taught as part of a readers' workshop using differentiated, leveled novels and short story anchor texts or taught using a whole class novel. Immersion will include examining different aspects and elements of science fiction as well as studying the craft of creating the genre from imagination.
 
Historical Fiction Genre Study
Students will experience an immersion into the genre of historical fiction through both reading and writing. This may happen as part of a readers' workshop with group novels and short story anchor texts or taught using a whole class novel. Students will write and revise a draft of historical fiction narrative. Immersion will include examining text features of historical novels and literary devices such as theme. Students will discover techniques common to historical fiction as well as studying the craft of creating from imagination with historically accurate detail.
 
Realistic Fiction Genre Study
Through both reading and writing, this unit will immerse students in the realistic fiction genre. This genre study may be taught using differentiated novels in a small group setting or taught using a whole class novel. Immersion will include examining different aspects and elements of realistic fiction.
 
The Michigan K-12 Standards may be found at the following link: Michigan K-12 English Language Arts Standards 
 
Contact:
Sarah Andrew-Vaughan
District English Department Chair
andrew@aaps.k12.mi.us