Advanced 8th Grade Language Arts
Anthony Vala-Haynes
Room: 41
Phone: (503) 852-7666 Ext. 3541
E-Mail: valahaynesa@ycschools.org
Class Description:
This class is designed to prepare you for High School English. Naturally, you will be reading and writing.
However, you will be doing both of these things at a considerably higher level than 7th or 8th grade.
New 8th Grade Standards:
1. No Late Work.
2. No more than 2 errors per page of writing, typed or handwritten. 3 or more errors and the
writing will be returned to be corrected and your grade will drop one letter. This is not
intended to be cruel; rather it is intended to prepare you for the expectations at the high
school. This will require constant proofreading and diligence on your part to ensure your
writing continues to improve.
What to Bring:
Students will bring the following items to class every day:
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Pen/Pencil
3 Ring Binder with specific sections for Reading and Writing
Novel (If you’re currently reading one)
Planner
Grades:
Grading is based on becoming proficient at reading and writing skills, consistent with Oregon’s
Standards for 8th Grade Language Arts. I demand effort from my students. If you work, and I can see that
you are working, you will be successful in my class. The following items will contribute to your final
grade each semester:
1. Writing (Essays, paragraphs, etc.)
2. Reading (Discussion, quizzes/tests, projects)
3. Participation (Note taking, discussion, attentiveness)
Absent:
It is your responsibility to find out what you missed from either me or a fellow student.
YCIS 8th Grade Advanced English Curriculum
Novels:
Lord of the Flies
The Power of One
The Book Thief
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Outsiders
Into the Wild
Short Stories:
“A Good Man is Hard to Find”
“Enoch and the Gorilla”
“Everything that Rises Must Converge”
“Raymond’s Run”
“Sucker”
“The Yellow Wallpaper”
“Sonny’s Blues”
Films:
The Cove
Dead Poet’s Society
The Way Way Back
Life is Beautiful
Key Concepts & Skills:
-ANALYSIS
-Literary Terminology: Imagery, Metaphor, Syntax, Alliteration (Consonance & Assonance), Rhyme
Scheme, Symbolism, Tone, Voice, Mood, Theme, Allusion
-Poetry
-Juxtaposition & Contrast in Art
-Developing a Thesis
-Analytical vs. Expository Writing
-Persuasive/Argumentative Writing
-Descriptive Writing (Using ACTIVE voice vs. PASSIVE voice)
-In-Text Citations
-Application of Appropriate Evidence in DEBATE & Essays
-Internet Research: Reliable Sources & Plagiarism
-ANTHOLOGY Project: Narrative Writing, Anthology, Works Cited Page
-Analysis of Visual Art: Photographs & Paintings
-Philosophy Introduction
-Exploration of the Human Condition in Art & Literature