Grade 8 Final Assessment
Based on Choice Novels:
The Blue Helmet
The Gravesavers
The City of Ember
Among the Hidden
I am a Taxi
Skinny Bones and the Wrinkle Queen
We All Fall Down
There are 6 Language Arts
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
Viewing
Representing
You will have a task to do for
each of the 6 language arts.
Reading
• Everyone will read the novel a novel at their
level.
• To show me that you have understood the
novel, you will be answering questions as
you read.
Writing
• As you are reading, you will take jot-notes on one
of the main characters
• These will include traits about the character, ie: brave, resourceful,
evil, ect. and must have specific examples from the novel to prove
that the character has the trait. Here is an example of my notes on
Drake:
• Humorous
-dances in the hall
• Brave
-flexes his muscles and asks “which way to the gym”
-tells funny stories about his niece
-stands up for other people outside at lunch
-often involves himself in class discussions,
even if the topic is new
-voices his opinion, even if others disagree
• Upon completing the novel, you will write a
character sketch, which is an essay describing a
character’s traits.
Writing cont’d
Character Sketch Expectations
• Typed using Microsoft
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Word
600 words
14 point font
Saved on SJH network
Contains an introduction
and conclusion
• Meets rubric
requirements.
• Includes 3 body
paragraphs, each
describing one trait
using specific examples
from the novel.
• Begins with a title page
which includes your full
name.
Speaking
You may choose from the following speeches:
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Write a poem:
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Retell the story in poetry form
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Read it to the class at your assigned time
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It must be 30 seconds to a minute’s worth of reading
Dress and act as a character from the book:
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“Sell” the book to the class
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This is an improve piece, which means you need to plan your costume
and what you want to share but you must wing it. You cannot read this!
Write a news report that summarizes the events of the story as if they
actually happened:
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Pretend that you are a TV anchorperson
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Give the report
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Read it as though it is being reported live on the evening news
You are going to be the MC at a banquet honoring the main character
in your novel. Prepare a speech that:
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Introduces the character
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Describes the award being presented
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Explains why he/she deserves this special recognition
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Public Speaking Helpful Hints
1. All speeches are to begin with a formal opening “Good morning fellow
students”
2. Speeches can be between 2 - 5 minutes. It is a good idea to keep it to around
three minutes. Five minutes is a long time to keep the audience's interest!
3. An effective way to start your speech is with a "hook." A hook is something
that grabs the audience's attention right away. It can be an interesting point or a
question and serves as an introduction to your topic.
An example: "What do jello, computers, and safety pins have in common?
They all started out as creative ideas in someone's imagination. Good morning
honorable judges, teachers, parents, and students. I am going to tell you about
some of the more unusual inventions of the past 50 years”
4. Choose a topic that you think your audience will be interested in. It should
be something you want to talk about. Often your own experiences are a good
resource, it does not have to be a researched topic.
5. Plan the writing of your speech like you would a report. Figure out what the
main ideas or highlights are and build paragraphs around them.
6. Your speech should have a definite ending. Some suggestions might be a
summary statement such as, "I think you will agree that the shark is a
mysterious creature." "You never know, you could be the creator of the most
important invention of the next century!"
7. At the very end of your speech, it is not necessary to thank people for
listening to your speech. Make your last statement and then say a "thank-you“.
8. Make sure you number your cue cards, in case you mix them up!
Public Speaking Criteria
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Volume
5
Clarity
5
Talking Speed
5
Eye Contact
5
Stance
5
Length
5
Content
5
Opening
5
Middle
5
Ending
5
Language
5
Name ____________________
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Listening
It is expected that all
students listen to the
speeches as they are being
presented. You will have
to prove that you have
listened by picking two
speeches to use to ask
questions. As the speeches
are presented, you will
formulate a question and
ask it at the end of that
speech.
Viewing
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Each student will complete a gallery walk
of all the art projects done by your
classmates and choose one to critique.
Representing
Diorama
 You will create a diorama which is a three-dimensional
replica (model) of a real life scene.
 Your job, as you read the text is to take notes on any neat
scenes(be sure to include the page #) which would make
interesting dioramas.
 Upon completing the novel, you will choose the best scene
to use for your diorama.
 You must write one paragraph which explains your scene.
This will be attached to your diorama.
 You can bring in your shoebox any time!!
Summary
You will:
• Choose a novel
• Read your novel
• Answer questions
• Take notes on your
chosen character
• Write a character
sketch
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Create a dioramma
Critique 2 diorammas
Present a speech
Listen to and ask
questions about a
classmate’s speech