Language Arts

Ministry of Education
Gr 8 LA outcomes/indicators

Saskatoon Public Schools places significant emphasis on literacy skills. LA consists of six strands; reading, writing, listening, speaking, interpreting, representing. Each day, one or more of them is addressed. Ongoing efforts to improve literacy skills this year will include:

• formal reading assessments

• specific instruction for reading strategies

• scheduled reading periods

• stories and novels read by me with response activities

• instruction and practice of various writing techniques such as the newspaper format, short essay, letter and poetry

Reading Requirements and Lists

Our classroom has a reading requirement. Choice reading plays a large role in the assigned work throughout the year. For the most part, students choose their own books with communicated expectations for level and content. Completed books are recorded in a log kept in the classroom. A sample version is linked below. A log update will be due about every three weeks, usually on a Friday. In class reading time is offered at least once, sometimes twice a week. Regular visits to Alice Turner Library are planned to support reading.

• Reading log - sample

Current Focus - Analysis and Response to Fiction, Tone vs Mood

We continue to use plot analysis when working with fiction. A follow-up assignment from the reading log is coming up soon. The assignment will use these concepts in the work. Meanwhile, we're extending the topics to include tone and mood. These related concepts are sometimes confused with each other. A series of in class activities will build some skills around the topics.

To Build A Fire - Tone and Mood - duplicate in form