1. 8th Grade English Language Arts Ms. Steffen
Curriculum Night
8th Grade English Language Arts Ms. Steffen

2. Ms. Steffen
Welcome to 8th grade! I am excited to get to know each of you.
I majored in Secondary English Education at the University of Florida.
I have been teaching Language Arts at Centennial Middle School for 10 years.
I truly love the art of language and hope to share it with all of my students!

3. 8th Grade Expectations Late Work Supplies
Students will be assigned to lunch bunch if they do not complete practice work
Supplies
Pens, pencils, and highlighters
Red Folder
College-Ruled Loose Leaf Paper
Composition Book
Always keep a chapter book with you in your backpack for SSR!

4. Writing Arguments to support claims Informative/Explanatory Narrative
Research/Evidence based
Presentation with Commentary

5. Reading Literary Text Informational Text
Cite textual evidence *Cite Evidence
Determine theme *Central Idea
Narrative analysis *Text Connections
Compare and contrast *Meaning of Words
Points of view and Phrases
Text to film comparison *Paragraph Structure
Allusion *Media and Argument Analysis * Authors POV

6. Accountable Independent Reading (AIR) Students will be required to independently read and track one book per quarter. At the end of a 6-week period the students will be assessed on their knowledge of their book.

7. Units of Study Unit 1– Understanding Close Reading
Focus: Reading Closely for Textual Details
“Island of Hope, island of tears”
Unit 2 – Understanding Evidence-based Claims
Focus: Making Evidenced-Based Claims
“Out of Kilter”

8. Units of Study Module 1 – Finding Home: Refugees
Focus: Reading Closely and Writing To Learn
Inside Out and Back Again
Standards
Examining How Word Choice Contributes to Meaning and Tone in Literary and Informational Texts
Analysis Essay
Narrative Poetry

9. Units of Study
Module 2 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Comedy of Control
Focus: Working with Evidence
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Standards
Text to Film Comparison
Argument Essay
Narrative/Extended Response

10. How Can You Help?
You are the most influential person in your child’s life. Your presence is evidence of your commitment to your child’s success.
Ask your child to share one part of his or her day with you… (sweet/sour, highs/lows)
Check the website and online grades.
If you have any concerns about your child here at school, never hesitate to !
Look for progress reports 4th -5th week.
NEVER hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. We have the same goal for your child which is to help him/her reach his/her highest potential! We’re in this together.

11. Questions/Concerns
Phone: