8TH GRADE ENGLISH
Full Year Required
Students participate in a variety of activities involving reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking skills. Reading activities include individual choices from fiction, non-fiction, classic, and modern literature. Students learn the components of written literature and use these in their own writing. The writing program is extensive and ongoing, utilizing up-to-date research on the writing process, and covering many forms and types of writing. Students have access to fully equipped computer labs where much of their writing takes place. In addition, the English Department has access to a fully equipped mobile lab. Opportunities are made available for students to publish their writings.
Language study is integrated into the writing program wherein emphasis is put on whole class and individual skill needs, including vocabulary building, spelling, sentencing, and grammar. Students work to improve their speaking and communicating skills through cooperative grouping, oral reports, readings, classroom discussion, speeches, and skits. Because listening and thinking are vital components of learning, the students practice these skills on a daily basis. Students are encouraged to use the Internet as a resource as well as multimedia software to integrate learning across the curriculum.
