8th Grade Essential Standards (note the red indicates shared standards for grades 6-8)
- R.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
- L/R.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
- R.6:
- (RL): Explain how differences in the point of view of characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) creates such effects as suspense or humor
- (RI): Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
- W.1 Write arguments* to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
- W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
- W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well structured event sequences.
- W.5 - With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
- Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 8.
- This standard covers all grammar (L) standards.
- W.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
- W.9 - Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- A. Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new.").
- B. Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing