8th Grade Literature


8th Grade Literature

Units

·      Tales of the Strange and Mysterious

Essential Questions:
1.  Why do tales of the strange and mysterious fascinate people?
2.  How do the various parts of stories contribute to suspense?
3.  Why do many people like to be scared?

                        Short stories
                        Video Clips
                        Few poems
                        Unsolved mysteries
                        Drama
                        Nonfiction

·      Literature Circles

Essential Questions:
1.  How can the use of literature circles increase student enjoyment and understanding when they read a novel?
2.  What does a good discussion sound like/look like?
3.  What strategies can be used to deepen our conversations about books?

                        Novels

·      Heroes and Sheroes

Essential Questions
1.  What is the definition of a hero?
2.  What the attributes of a hero?
3.  What is a flawed hero?
4.  How do various cultures reward/recognize their heroes and "sheroes"?

                        Speech
                        Myths/legends
                        Clips from movies (Star Wars, Harry Potter)
                        Sections from HOBBIT, "Beowulf"

·      To Kill a Mockingbird

Essential Questions
1.  Does labeling and stereotyping influence how we look at and understand the world?
2. What are the consequences of prejudice and injustice, and how does an individual’s response to them reveal his/hers true character?
3. When is it appropriate to challenge the beliefs or values of society?
 4. How do beliefs, ethics and values influence different people’s behaviors? ​
5.  How are the details and events from the story related to the time period and social custom?

                       
Requirements:
         Three books per quarter
         AR tests/completion of an AR Sheet
         May complete an AR sheet if you receive a 5 on the AR test
         Homework - At least 15 minutes of reading outside of class
        
Grading:
         Major Work - 60%                        Minor Work - 40%
·      Tests/quizzes                                         Classwork/Homework
·      Projects                                                  Mini-writings
·      Reading                                                  Participation
·      Big pieces of writing                                
        
        
        

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