8th Grade Language Arts Weekly Task Sheet November 4-15

Reading and Writing

We are continuing our unit on Truth. We will finish with Poe this week and compare and contrast his poems and short stories. We will also compare and contrast Poes work with Ambrose Bierce. We will also read expository information about Poe and Bierce to conclude whether and how studying the authors life impacts a readers understanding of the truth revealed in fiction. Continue working on your found poems in the style of Poe. Well also do more literary analysis writing, which is a type of expository (informational) writing that youll be doing a lot of throughout high school. Here are some essential questions to consider as we continue exploring our unit on Truth: How to authors use narrative techniques (like POV) to create an intended effect on the reader? How does one know that something is true? What truths can be revealed through fiction? Is it necessary to know about the author and his/her time period in order to understand his/her poem or story? Why do authors write horror stories? Why do people read horror stories? Does reading a lot make one a better writer?

8th Grade Language Arts Weekly Task Sheet November 4-15

Grammar and Mechanics

Were continuing studying punctuation and capitalization. Dont forget to complete any No Red Ink exercises. Well return to commas, especially as they pertain to writing TLQ, since were writing literary analysis paragraphs and essays. Last week, we began looking at vocabulary and introduced the importance of using resources to locate definitions that help a readers understanding of a story. This word study is a springboard to learning parts of speech. Get ready to do some serious memorizing of basic facts. Here are some essential questions: Is it necessary to know how words work/function in order to use them? What would happen if there were no punctuation rules? What would happen if there were no capitalization rules? Is there a common vocabulary that writers use? Where do the words authors use come from?

8th Grade Language Arts Weekly Task Sheet November 4-15

Activities and Assignments: Do-Now Prompts Daily Grammar Review (check NoRedInk daily and review your progressdo practices in your weak areas) Read and annotate Poes The Raven and The Bells (on Weebly) Read and annotate Bierces Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and My Favorite Murder (on Weebly) Read and take notes on nonfiction biographical information on Poe and Bierce Collaborative speaking and listening activity The Four As and Save the Last Word and pair work using dialogue starters Exit Slips3, 2, 1 Activity and What Stuck with Me Literary analysis writing (emphasis on incorporating content-area language, a strong LAP topic sentence, and correct comma usage in TLQ when using quotes as evidence) HW: 20-30 minutes each nightMost nights, youll have assigned work. On those nights that you dont have assigned work, practice grammar concepts where youre weak. Remember, January is coming up faster than you think, and those entrance exams will be here before you know it. Use the weekends to catch up on work and review concepts where you struggle.