Colegio Karl C. Parrish
A Tradition of Excellence
English
Curricular Standards and Pacing Guide
Grade 8
Adopted from Common Core State Standards (2012)
http://www.corestandards.org/
Prepared by A.Morgan Curriculum Coordinator
Topic/Unit (Time)
Poetry
(8 Weeks)
Essential Questions
1. What distinguishes poetry from other
forms of literature? What is the
importance of finding that distinction?
2. What is the importance of being able to
speak poetically?
3. How does a student’s knowledge of
poetry affect the view of the historical and
cultural context on literature?
[Type text]
Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Listening and Speaking
1.1 – Analyze oral interpretations, including
language choice and delivery, and the effect of
the interpretations on the listener.
1.2 – Paraphrase a speaker’s purpose and point of
view and ask relevant questions concerning the
speaker’s content, delivery, and purpose.
Speaking Applications
2.5 – Recite poems (of four to six stanzas),
sections of speeches, or dramatic soliloquies,
using voice modulation, tone, and gestures
expressively to enhance the meaning.
Reading
1.1 – Analyze idioms, metaphors, and similes to
infer the literal and figurative meanings of
phrases.
1.3 – Use word meanings within the appropriate
context and show ability to verify those meaning
by definition, restatement, example, comparison,
or contrast.
Literary Response and Analysis
3.7 – Analyze a work of literature, showing how it
reflects the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and
beliefs of its author.
Writing Strategies
1.6 – Revise writing for word choice; appropriate
organization; consistent point of view; and
transitions between paragraphs, passages, and
ideas.
Written and Oral English Language Conventions
1.1 – Use correct and varied sentence types and
Resources and
Assessments
1. Poetry Storybook
2. Identifying and Comparing Poetry
Types and Examples
3. Iambic Pentameter Breakdown
4. Poetry Rhyme and Rhythm
Breakdown
5. Poetry Storybook Presentation
6. Poetry Reading and Discussions
(found in textbook)
7. Poetry PowerPoint Notes
8. Cake Song Lyrics
9. Quizzes Available Upon Request
Topic/Unit (Time)
The Pearl
(3-4 Weeks)
Essential Questions
1. What affect does social class have on
your life?
2. How does social class affect purchasing
items and how does it affect other aspects
such as simple living?
3. How does symbolism affect the tone
and meaning of a literary work?
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sentence openings to present a lively and
effective personal style.
1.4 – Edit written manuscripts to ensure that
correct grammar is used.
1.5 – Use correct punctuation and capitalization.
1.6 – Use correct spelling conventions.
Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Reading
1.1 – Analyze idioms, analogies, metaphors and
similes to infer the literal and figurative meanings
of phrases
Reading Comprehension
2.7 – Evaluate the unity, coherence, logic, internal
consistency, and structural patterns of text.
Literary Response and Analysis
3.3 – Compare and contrast motivations and
reactions of literary characters from different
historical eras confronting similar situations or
conflicts
3.4 – Analyze the relevance of setting to the
mood, tone and meaning of the text.
3.5 – Identify recurring themes across traditional
and contemporary works.
3.6 – Identify significant literary devices that
define a writers style and use those elements to
interpret the work
Writing Strategies
1.1 – Create compositions that establish a
controlling impression, have a coherent thesis,
and end with a clear and well-supported
conclusion
Writing Applications
2.2 – Write responses to literature
A. Exhibit careful reading and insight in their
interpretations
C. Draw supported inferences about the effects of
a literary work on the audience
Resources and
Assessments
1. The Pearl Full Text
2. John Steinbeck Quick Background
3. Symbolism Note PPT
4. Modern Day Pearl Diving
5. Game Time Pearls
6, Essay Prompts
7. Quizzes Available Upon Request
D. Support judgments through references to the
text, other works, other authors or to personal
knowledge.
Written and Oral English Language Conventions
1.1 – Use correct and varied sentence types and
sentence openings to present a lively and
personal style.
1.4 – Edit written manuscripts to ensure that
correct grammar is used.
1.5 – Use correct punctuation and capitalization
1.6 – Use correct spelling conventions.
Topic/Unit (Time)
Formatted Writing and
Comparisons
(6 Weeks)
(Depending on the
ability to answer the
essential questions)
Essential Questions
1. How does formatting a paper benefit a
person in society?
2. What is society’s reaction to different
types of formatted papers and letters?
3. How do these different types of formats
affect the image of a person?
4. When are certain formats applicable
and when are they discouraged?
5. How are these formatted conventions
to be expected in society?
6. Do these conventions differ in different
cultures?
7. How does a citation/reference protect
someone’s intellectual property?
8. How do visual stimuli affect an
audience? Is it always beneficial or simply
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Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Reading
2.1 – Compare and contrast the features and
elements of consumer materials to gain meaning
from documents.
2.3 – Find similarities and differences between
texts in treatment, scope, or organization ideas.
Writing Strategies
1.1 – Create compositions that establish a
controlling impression, have a coherent thesis,
and end with a clear and well-supported
conclusion
1.2 – Establish coherence within and among
paragraphs through effective transitions, parallel
structures, and similar writing techniques.
1.3 – Support theses or conclusions with
analogies, paraphrases, quotations, opinions from
authorities, comparisons, and similar devices.
1.4 – Plan and conduct multiple-step information
searches by using computer networks and
modems.
1.5 – Achieve an effective balance between
researched information and original ideas.
Resources and
Assessments
1. OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab
2. Citation Guide
3. Persuasive Essay Outline
4. What an MLA paper looks like
5. Peer Review Form
6. Business Letter Forat
7. Quizzes Available Upon Request
influential?
9. Why is word choice such an effective
and necessary action in presentation and
narration?
1.6 – Revise writing for word choice; appropriate
organization; consistent point of view; and
transitions between paragraphs, passages and
ideas.
Writing Applications
2.1 – Write biographies, autobiographies, short
stories or narratives
2.2 – Write responses to literature
2.4 – Write persuasive compositions
2.5 – Write documents related to career
development, including simple business letters
and job applications.
2.6 – Write technical documents.
Written and Oral English Language Conventions
1.1 – Use correct and varied sentence types and
sentence openings to present a lively and
personal style.
1.4 – Edit written manuscripts to ensure that
correct grammar is used.
1.5 – Use correct punctuation and capitalization
1.6 – Use correct spelling conventions.
Listening and Speaking
1.1 – Analyze oral interpretations of literature,
including language choice and delivery, and the
effect of the interpretations on the listener.
1.3 – Organize information to achieve particular
purposes by matching the message, vocabulary,
voice modulation, expression, and tone to the
audience.
1.4 – Prepare a speech outline based upon a
[Type text]
Topic/Unit (Time)
th
8 Grade Vocabulary
and Affixes and Roots
Essential Questions
1. What is the purpose for vocabulary
development?
2. How does the access to more
knowledge expand your thought process?
[Type text]
chosen pattern of organization, which generally
includes an introduction; transitions, previews,
and summaries; a logically developed body; and
an effective conclusion.
1.5 – Use precise language, action verbs, sensory
details, appropriate and colorful modifiers, and
the active rather than the passive voice in ways
that enliven oral presentations.
1.6 – Use appropriate grammar, word choice,
enunciation, and pace during formal
presentations.
1.7 – Use audience feedback to:
a. Reconsider and modify the
organizational structure or plan.
b. Rearrange words and sentences to clarify
the meaning.
1.9 – Interpret and evaluate the various ways in
which visual image makers (e.g., graphic artists,
illustrators, and news photographers)
communicate information and affect impressions
and opinions.
Standards Used
Reading
1.3 – Use word meaning within the appropriate
context and show ability to verify those meanings
by definition, restatement, examples, comparison,
or contrast.
Resources and
Assessments
1. Prefix PPT
2. Roots PPT
3. Suffix PPT
4. Vocabulary PPT
th
5. 8 Grade Vocabulary
Comprehensive List
Topic/Unit (Time)
The Speckled Band
And
The Hound of the
Baskervilles
(4 Weeks)
Essential Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
How does an author leave
‘marks’ in their work?
How does an author’s ‘markings’
represent his writing styles?
How do mood, tone and setting
interact with the works of the
author?
How do mood, tone and setting
fit to the author and how do they
relate to the author’s style?
How do themes connect through
common texts?
How do cultural traditions affect
literature?
How does plot development
occur similarly within an common
author’s text?
Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Reading Comprehension
2.4 – Compare the original text to a summary to
determine whether the summary accurately
captures the main ides, includes critical details,
and convey the underlying meaning.
2.7 – Evaluate the unity, coherence, logic, internal
consistency, and structural patterns of text.
Literary Response Analysis
3.2 – Evaluate the structural elements of the plot,
the plot’s development, and the way in which
conflicts are (or are not) addressed and resolved.
3.3 – Compare and contract motivations and
reactions of literary characters from different
historical eras confronting similar situations or
conflicts.
3.4 – Analyze the relevance of the setting to the
mood, tone and meaning of the text.
3.5 – Identify and analyze recurring themes across
traditional and contemporary works.
3.6 – Identify significant literary devices that
define a writer’s style and use those elements to
interpret the work.
3.7 – Analyze a work of literature, showing how it
reflects the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and
beliefs of its author.
Writing Applications
2.2 – Write responses to literature:
a. Exhibit careful reading and insight in their
interpretations.
b. Connect the student’s own responses to the
writer’s techniques and to specific textual
[Type text]
Resources and
Assessments
(The Hound of the Baskervilles =
THOTB)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
THOTB Ch. 1
THOTB Ch. 2
THOTB Ch. 3
THOTB Ch. 4
THOTB Ch. 5
THOTB Ch. 6
THOTB Ch. 7
THOTB Ch. 8
THOTB Ch. 9
THOTB Ch. 10
The Speckled Band
Topic/Unit (Time)
Comma Rules
And
Basic Grammar
(4 Weeks)
Essential Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
How does punctuation modify
sentence structure?
Does traditional punctuation
matter in today’s world?
How does traditional punctuation
change the meaning of
conversation and literature?
How does a knowledge of
punctuation adjust your image of
modern literature?
references.
c. Draw supported inferences about the effects of
a literary work on its audience.
d. Support judgments through references to the
text, other works, other authors or to personal
knowledge.
Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Written and Oral English Language Convention
1.1 – Use correct and varied sentence types and
sentence openings to present a lively and
effective personal style.
1.2 – Identify and use parallelism, including
similar grammatical forms, in all written
discourse to present items in a series and
items juxtaposed for emphasis.
1.3 - Use subordinate, coordination, apposition,
and other devices to indicate clearly the
relationship between ideas.
1.4 – Edit written manuscripts to ensure that
correct grammar is used.
1.5 – Use correct punctuation and capitalization.
1.6 – Use correct spelling conventions.
Writing Strategies
1.6 – Revise writing for word choice; appropriate
organization; consistent point of view; and
transitions between paragraphs, passages,
and ideas.
[Type text]
Resources and
Assessments
Comma Rules PPT and Questions
Use contemporary articles for analysis
and editing.
Topic/Unit (Time)
The Outsiders
(6-8 Weeks)
Essential Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How does culture affect the story
in literature?
Does culture direct the realism
and actual story involved?
Do stereotypes and
discrimination show in literature;
if so, how?
How do cultural expectations
form the understanding and
expectations of literature?
How do stereotypes and
discrimination affect our views
on everyday life?
Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Writing Applications
2.2 – Write responses to literature.
a. Exhibit careful reading and insight to their
interpretations.
b. Connect the student’s own responses to the writer’s
techniques and to specific textual references
c. Draw support inferences about the effects of a literary
work on its audience.
d. Support judgments through references to the text,
other works, other authors, or to personal knowledge.
Writing Strategies
1.2 – Establish coherence within and among paragraphs
through effective transitions, parallel structures, and
similar writing techniques.
1.3 - Support theses or conclusions with analogies,
paraphrases, quotations, opinions from authorities,
comparisons and similar devices.
1.5 – Achieve an effective balance between researched
information and original ideas.
1.6 – Revise writing for word choice; appropriate
organization’ consistent point of view; and transitions
between paragraphs, passages, and ideas.
Literary Response and Analysis
3.1 – Determine and articulate the relationship between
the purposes and characteristics of different forms of
poetry.
3.2 – Evaluate the structural elements of the plot, the
plot’s development, and the way in which conflicts are (or
are not) addressed and resolved.
[Type text]
Resources and
Assessments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Characterization PPT
Hulk Hogan Entrance
Real American – Rick
Derringer
Real American Lyrics
Hollywood Hulk
Hogan Entrance
Jimi Hendrix Voodoo
Child
Voodoo Child Lyrics
Newspaper Template
1950’s Culture Video
Use modern Youtube videos
(popular at the moment) to
ask for inferences and
observations.
3.3 – Compare and contract motivations and reactions of
literary characters from different historical eras
confronting similar situations or conflicts.
3.4 – Analyze the relevance of the setting to the mood,
tone and meaning of the text.
3.5 – Identify and analyze recurring themes across
traditional and contemporary works.
3.6 – Identify significant literary devices that define a
writer’s style and use those elements to interpret the
work.
3.7 – Analyze a work of literature, showing how it reflects
the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and beliefs of its author.
Reading
1.1 – Analyze idioms, analogies, metaphors, and similes to
infer the literal and figurative meanings of phrases.
1.2 - Understand the most important points in the history
of English language and use common word origins to
determine the historical influences on English word
meanings.
1.3 - Use word meanings within the appropriate context
and show ability to verify those meanings by
definition, restatement, example, comparison, or
contrast.
Topic/Unit (Time)
Speech Unit
(4-6 Weeks)
Essential Questions
1.
2.
[Type text]
How does understanding of
speech and body language
change your ability to
comprehend communication?
How does understanding of
speech and body language
change your ability to
communicate?
Standards Used
(Assessment Link Number)
Resources and
Assessments
Written and Oral English Language Conventions
1.
1.1 – Use correct and varied sentence types and sentence
openings to present a lively and effective personal
style.
1.2 - Identify and use parallelism, including similar
grammatical forms, in all written discourse to present
items in a series and items juxtaposed for emphasis.
2.
3.
4.
Speech Consideration
Chart
V for Vendetta “V
Speech”
V for Vendetta
“Television Speech”
V for Vendetta
Speeches
3.
4.
How does understanding of
speech and body language affect
literature comprehension?
How does understanding of
speech and body language allow
you to compare and contrast
intentions and motivations
behind modern literature and
movies?
1.3 – Use subordinate, coordinate, apposition, and other
devices to indicate clearly the relationship between
ideas.
1.4 - Edit written manuscripts to ensure that correct
grammar is used.
1.5 - Use correct punctuation and capitalization.
1.6 - Use correct spelling conventions.
Listening and Speaking Strategies
1.1 – Analyze oral interpretations of literature, including
language choice and delivery, and the effect of the
interpretations on the listener.
1.2 – Paraphrase a speaker’s purpose and point of view
and ask relevant questions concerning the speaker’s
content, delivery, and purpose.
1.3 – Organize information to achieve particular purposes
by matching the message, vocabulary, voice
modulation, expression, and tone to the audience and
purpose.
1.4 – Prepare a speech outline based upon a chosen
pattern of organization, which generally includes an
introduction; transitions, previews, and summaries; a
logically developed body; and an effective conclusion.
1.5 – Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details,
appropriate and colorful modifiers, and the active
rather than the passive voice in ways that enliven oral
presentations.
1.6 – Use appropriate grammar, word choice,
enunciation, and pace during formal presentations.
1.7 – Use audience feedback
A. Reconsider and modify the organizational
structure or plan.
B. Rearrage words and sentences to clarify the
meaning.
1.8 – Evaluate the credibility of the speaker
[Type text]
5.
6.
7.
8.
Howard Beale “We’re
in a lot of trouble”
Howard Beale “I’m
mad as hell!”
Network Speeches
“I have a Dream”
Speech.
Topic/Unit (Time)
th
8 Grade Vocabulary
and Affixes and Roots
Essential Questions
1. What is the purpose for vocabulary
development?
2. How does the access to more
knowledge expand your thought process?
Standards Used
Reading
1.3 – Use word meaning within the appropriate context and
show ability to verify those meanings by definition,
restatement, examples, comparison, or contrast.
Resources and
Assessments
1. Prefix PPT
2. Roots PPT
3. Suffix PPT
4. 8th Grade Vocabulary
Comprehensive List
5. Vocabulary Week 1 - 17
6. Vocabulary Week 18 - 25
English 8 Pacing Guide 2012-13
Topic/Unit
Time
Essential Questions
Character, Theme,
and Narrative
Quarter 1
9 Weeks
Word- Bellwork
PPT- Vocab Quizzes
Week 1-2
PDF- Syllabus
Partner Interview Questions
Note Sheet- Interview Notes
“Charles,” by
Shirley Jackson
Week 3
-characterization
“Checkouts,” by
Cynthia Rylant
Week 4
-historical context
-theme
[Type text]
Standards Used
Resources and
Assessments
Writing Task- Charles
(Rubric)
Reading Quiz- Charles
PDF- Vocab List
PDF- Text
Word- Socratic Seminar
PPT- Building
Background/Vocab
PDF- Text
PDF- Vocab List
Activity: Partner Vocab
Sentence + Sketch
“Stop the Sun,” by
Gary Paulsen
Week 5
-theme
-motivation/reaction
PPT- Building
Background/Vocab
Word- Father’s Day Card
Project
Excel- Father’s Day Card
Rubric
Word- Anchors
Word- Reading Quiz- Stop
the Sun
PDF- Text
PDF- Vocab List
Synthesis Week
Week 6
-idiom
Writer’s Workshop:
Autobiographical
Incident Essay
Weeks 7-9
PPT- Synthesis Definition
Excel- MENU
Word- Socratic Seminar
Word- Comp Questions (3
stories)
Word- Idiom Picture
Dictionary
PDF- Test Study Guide
PPT- Fabulous 5, Magic 3,
Run-on sentences,
Coordinating Conjunctions,
Past-tense verbs (sentence
patterning chart)
Word- HW- SPC (Past-tense)
Word-HW-Simile and
Metaphor in pop culture
Video- simile and metaphor
in pop culture (1)
Video-Simile and metaphor
in pop culture (2)
Word-Rubric (essay)
Word- Rubric (presentation)
Word-Writer’s Workshop
[Type text]
-simile/metphor
Schedule
Word- Revise/Edit Sheet
Word- FANBOYS
Coordinating Conjunctions
Song
[Type text]