Amherst-Pelham Regional School District

District Curriculum Overview

Subject: English Course: English Language Arts Grade Level: Eighth

Concepts/Enduring Understandings/Themes	Topics	Unit Content/Skills	Essential Activities/Agreements
Humanity is made up of several factors, including our aspirations and treating others with dignity. If either factor is missing, humanity is lost.	Humanity	§ Critically thinking about literature: interpretation, inference, characterization § Comprehension strategies to understand and connect to literature § Study characteristics of fiction and literary devices § Analyze film as a text, like a book; compare/contrast film and book § Grammar in context § Vocabulary in context § Writing to analyze, inform, explain, and persuade § Journaling as writing to learn; this reflective writing allows the writer to explore and clarify ideas. § Writing Process	Core texts: Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck Writing Agreements: Analytical Essay
Change is an inevitable part of life. With intent, we can make change transformational.	Transformations Literature Circle	§ Characterization § Formal small group discussion § Writing to analyze, inform, and explain § Reflective writing § Writing Process § Creative writing	Book Agreements: 1 or more Transformations Lit Circle books
Speaking out effectively against injustice creates empowerment.	Speaking Out Literature Circle	§ Formal oral presentation: speeches § Consider audience, style, message in reading and writing § Analyze characterization in literature § Grammar in context § Formal small group discussion § Cooperation and group work § Writing to explain, inform, persuade § Writing process	Core text: The DreamKeeper and Other Poems – Langston Hughes Book Agreements: 1 or more Speaking Out Lit Circle books Writing Agreements: Speech
Our personal experiences can be meaningful to others and when shared honestly have the potential to change and impact others’ lives.	Coming of Age Narratives Narrative Short Story	§ Identifying theme § Grammar in context § Experiment with language § Analyze mentor texts and apply to own writing § Develop voice § Writing Process § Narrative writing, including description and dialogue § Elements of fiction and short story § Reflective writing	Core text: America Street: A Multicultural Anthology of Stories edited by Anne Mazer Writing Agreements: Personal Narrative
Drama	Drama	§ Know and identify the elements of drama: dialogue, stage directions, dramatic elements