ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
Competency Goal 1: The
learner will use language to
express individual
perspectives through analysis
of personal, social, cultural,
and historical issues.
Writing
1.01 - Narrate a personal
account.
Reading
1.02 Analyze expressive
materials that are read,
heard, and/or viewed.
M
E
1st
Semester
*2.01.1 – Informational
*3.01.1 – Argumentative
*4.01.1 – Critical
1.03 - Interact in group
activities and/or seminars.
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
M
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
1.01 I can tell a story
about myself.
1.02.1 - I can check to
make sure I
understand what I
read, hear and see.
Key Concepts:
Active listener
Monitor characteristics
Make connections
Inferences
Significant
Annotated list
Formal/informal
writing
1.03 I can work with
others as a team to
improve learning.
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
1.04 - Reflect on learning
experiences.
E
1st
Semester
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
1.04 I can think about
and express what I
learned and how I
learned it.
Key Concepts:
Clarification
Supporting details
Emotional factor
Elaboration
Competency Goal 2: The
learner will use and evaluate
information from a variety of
sources.
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
2.01 - Analyze and evaluate
informational materials that
are read, heard, and/or
viewed.
E
1st
Semester
E
1st
Semester
E
1st
Semester
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
2.01.3 – I can identify
the details and main
idea and summarize
the selection.
2.01.7 – I can identify
the topics covered in
the selection and
evaluate the
important
information in the
selection.
2.01.8 – I can explain
the ideas presented
by the author and
reach beyond the
ideas in the selection
to create new ideas on
my own.
Key Concepts:
generalization, relevant
details, main idea,
characteristics of
informational material,
summarize, monitor
understanding,
inferences.
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
2.02 - Use multiple sources of
print and non-print
information to explore and
create research products in
both written and
presentational forms.
Competency Goal 3: The
learner will continue to refine
the understanding and use of
argument.
E
2nd
Semester
2.02 – I can use a
variety of sources in
researching and
creating a multimedia presentation.
3.01 - Explore and evaluate
argumentative works that are
read, heard, and/or viewed.
E
2nd
Semester
3.01.2 – I can define
argument, critical
stance, fact/opinion,
and bias.
*4.01.4 – evaluating the effects
of author’s craft
E
2nd
Semester
3.01.4 – I can
recognize the effects
of bias, emotional
factors, and word
choice (semantic
slanting).
3.01.6 – I can define
tone and style.
E
2nd
Semester
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
E
2nd
Semester
3.02 - Continue to explore and
analyze the use of the
problem-solution process.
M
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
3.01.7 – I can
understand author’s
purpose and critical
stance.
Key Concepts:
critical stance,
fact/opinion,
bias, semantic slanting,
tone, style, author’s
purpose, evaluate,
argument, stereotype,
tone, style, descriptive
language, literary
device, dialogue,
emotional factor.
3.02 – I can study and
understand the parts
of the problem
solving process.
Key Concepts:
Conflict resolution
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
3.03 - Evaluate and create
arguments that persuade.
E
2nd
Semester
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
3.03 – I can
determine the
effectiveness of and
create arguments that
get others to agree
with my point of
view.
Key Concepts:
Target audience
Context, voice
Competency Goal 4: The
learner will continue to refine
critical thinking skills and
create criteria to evaluate
print and non-print materials.
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
4.01 - Analyze the purpose of
the author or creator and the
impact of that purpose.
E
2nd
Semester
4.01.2 – I can judge
the author’s position
based on his/her
word choice and use
of propaganda
techniques.
E
2nd
Semester
4.01.3 – I can
evaluate what the
author believes to be
true based on the
selection.
*4.01.4 – effect of author’s
craft
4.02 – Analyze, develop (with
limited assistance) and apply
appropriate criteria to
evaluate the quality of the
communication.
*2.01.6 – drawing inferences
from informational materials
*3.01.5 – drawing inferences
from argumentative materials
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
E
1st
semester
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
Key Concepts:
propaganda techniques,
inference, stereotype,
target audience,
editorial, persuasion
author’s craft,
assumption/perception
4.02.2 – Based on the
text, I can draw
conclusions and
determine the
consequences of the
author’s stance.
Key Concepts:
evidence, criteria,
implications,
consequences
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
4.03 - Use the stance of a
critic.
E
2nd
semester
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
4.03.01 – I can
understand point of
view and consider
alternative
perspectives.
Key Concepts:
point of view,
alternative thought,
objective/fair minded
Competency Goal 5: The
learner will respond to
various literary genres using
interpretive and evaluative
processes.
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
5.01 - Increase fluency,
comprehension, and insight
through a meaningful and
comprehensive literacy
program.
E
1st
semester
5.01.7 – I can define,
recognize and
understand these key
vocabulary terms:
plot
theme
characterization
style
mood
tone
E
1st
Semester
5.01.8 – I can define,
identify, and apply
these key vocabulary
terms:
figurative language
dialogue
flashback
allusion
irony
symbolism
allegory
*3.01.6 – effectiveness of tone,
style, and language usage
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
E
2nd
Semester
E
2nd
Semester
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
5.01.9 - I can break
down and figure out
the themes and
central ideas in what
I read and how it
relates to me and my
world.
Key Concepts:
theme, reading
strategies determined
by type of text, context
clues
5.01.11 –I can identify
the relationships
between characters,
ideas, beliefs, and
experiences within a
text and evaluate
their importance to
me and the world
around me.
Key Concepts:
connections,
characterization,
compare and contrast
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
5.02- Study the characteristics
of literary genres (fiction,
nonfiction, drama, and
poetry).
E
1st
Semester
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
5.02.2- I can
determine how the
characteristics of
different types of
literature can change
the meaning of what I
read, view, or hear.
Key Concepts:
genre characteristics
EG: fiction, nonfiction,
drama, poetry, short
story, biography, free
verse
Competency Goal 6: The
learner will apply conventions
of grammar and language
usage.
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10
ISS Curriculum Guide
Grade 8 – Language Arts
Top 10
EC
Priority
Knowledge Targets
ISS Student Friendly
E, M, I,
Learning Target
(NCSCOS)
N
* Italicized text indicates related objectives that deal with these targets.
6.01 Model an understanding
of conventional written and
spoken expression.
E
1st
Semester
*6.01.7 – extending vocabulary
6.02 - Continue to identify
and edit errors in spoken and
written English.
M
Reasoning Targets
Performance/ Skill
Targets
Product Targets
6.01.1 – I can identify
correct punctuation
and sentence types.
Key Concepts:
appositives, sentence
types, fragments,
pronouns, antecedents,
comma splices,
prepositional phrases,
run-ons, subject/verb
agreement, verb tense,
parts of speech, dialect,
clauses, prefixes,
suffixes, roots
6.02 – I can revise
and edit written and
spoken language.
Key Concepts:
proofreading marks,
peer editing, spelling
errors, parallel
structure.
ACADEMIC VOCABULARY:
Goal One:
Goal Two:
Goal Three:
Goal Four:
Goal Five:
Goal Six:
biography, connotative meaning, paraphrase
relevant details, caption, chronology
critical stance, shades of meaning, excerpt
propaganda techniques, generalization, emotional factor, criticism, author’s bias, stereotype
allusion, foreshadowing, literary device, irony, biographical sketch, climax, allegory, alliteration, diction, hyperbole,
internal/external conflict, metaphor
plagiarism, irregular verb, sentence structure
E- Essential
M – Maintenance
I – Important
N – Nice to Know
06/10