English 8 - Curriculum Overview
The 8th Grade English curriculum is made up of four units of study. Units One and Two will be completed in the first semester, and Units Three and Four will be completed in the second semester.
Unit One – Characters Inside Out
This unit includes the analysis and interpretation of characters in literature and how they connect with mankind and universal ideas. Students will study characters in sitcoms, poetry, the short story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, and the novel Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen. Students will also have an opportunity to write about these characters and create themselves as a character in their own character sketch.
Unit Two – Mystery and Macabre
In the mystery and macabre unit, students will explore the relationships between these two mood- and suspense-based genres through the study of short story, poetry, film, art images, and advertisements. By studying the great masters of suspense -- including Edgar A. Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Raven” -- students will gain understandings of how writers are able to craft dark and ominous themes in various genres using the entire writing process. This unit also includes a book club experience where students will self-select and self-direct inquiries into mysterious fiction.
Unit Three – Conflict and Unrest
This unit focuses on the analysis of the concept of conflict as it exists in fiction and non-fiction. With an emphasis on students developing understandings that surpass the superficial definitions of "internal/external" and "man vs. man or self" conflicts, this unit introduces an array of conflict types and levels found in a variety of texts. Students will also be provided many opportunities to write about their own conflicts on their “conflict cards.” Students will also study conflict as they read the short story “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes and the play “Novio Boy” by Gary Soto.
Unit Four- Powerful Young Voices
In the final unit, time will be spent studying valuable young voices in literature from throughout history, where students will have a chance to write and share their own ideas. They will read many essays and personal stories written by young adults, and they will also read S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.