Welcome to 8th grade English and Literature

Frankly, this course should be called "that was then…this is now." This year you will learn how to "connect the dots" of communication. Reading, writing, listening and speaking will take on a more mature and sophisticated manner. Currently, I am creating a website specifically for my classes with much more information and links required for study.

Yes, we will be using the dreaded English book. Yes, we will all know that spelling, grammar, punctuation (and all the rest) DO matter. After all, we all want to be respected and taken seriously. "Witch won of u wuz hear?" won't help you get there.   Basically, just be here and be prepared! School rules and my Reading Rules apply - always. REDW

Read

Read the entire paragraph to get an idea of what the paragraph is about. You may find it helpful to whisper the words as you read or to form a picture in your mind of what you are reading. Once you have a general idea of what the paragraph is about, go on to the next step.

Examine

Examine each sentence in the paragraph to identify the important words that tell what the sentence is about. Ignore the words that are not needed to tell what the sentence is about. If you are allowed to, draw a line through the words to be ignored. For each sentence, write on a sheet of paper the words that tell what the sentence is about.

Decide

Reread the words you wrote for each sentence in the paragraph. Decide which sentence contains the words you wrote that best describe the main idea of the paragraph. These words are the main idea of the paragraph. The sentence that contains these words is the topic sentence. The other words you wrote are the supporting details for the main idea.

 Write

Write the main idea for each paragraph in your notebook. This will provide you with a written record of the most important ideas you learned. This written record will be helpful if you have to take a test that covers the reading assignment.

Remember - the more you prepare, the more successful you will be now and in high school.

Just a snapshot of what to expect!

Spelling, vocabulary, MLA format, computer skills will be taught and reinforced throughout the year

Elements of a novel study = content area reading, outlining and taking notes, listening skills, test taking skills and preparation,

Elements of poetry and speech, revision skills

Authors e.g.   Poe, Steinbeck, Anne Frank,  Knowles, Golding, et al.

Holocaust presentations/speeches

Elements of drama/poetry Introduction to Shakespeare - original text, film study, compare/contrast,  Romeo and Juliet

Each school year is a new and "living" thing. What we do takes on a life of its own. We may decide to change something along the way. Keep up with the challenges and ask for help if you need it. You won't be bored…