Course Description:

Scholars in 8th-grade English will analyze high-quality, complex nonfiction texts and great works of literature. Scholars learn how to cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis or critique. Scholars are primed to question an author’s assumptions and assess the accuracy of his or her claims as the writing focus continues to be argumentation. Instruction focuses on helping scholars become adept at reading closely and uncovering evidence to use in their own writing. Scholars will analyze in writing, two or more texts that provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify whether the disagreement is over facts or interpretation. Scholars will continue develop a rich vocabulary of academic words, which they use to speak and write with more precision. Scholars will write with increasing sophistication, focusing on organizing ideas, concepts and information using the Schaffer method for writing.