END OF Grade 8 Reading Grade Level Expectations

Standards Unwrapped    Standards by Month     Fall Review of Materials

VOCABULARY (V:1 and V:2)

R:V:1 Students identify the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary by…

R:V:8:1.1 Using strategies to unlock meaning (e.g., knowledge of word structure, including prefixes/suffixes, base words, common roots, or word origins; or context clues; or other resources, such as dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses; or prior knowledge) (Local)

R:V:2 Shows breadth of vocabulary knowledge through demonstrating understanding of word meanings and relationships by…

R:V:8:2.1 Identifying synonyms, antonyms, homonyms/ homophones, shades of meaning, or word origins, including words from other languages that have been adopted into our language (Local) EXAMPLE (word origin from other language): de'ja' vu

R:V:8:2.2 Selecting appropriate words or explaining the use of words in context, including content specific vocabulary, words with multiple meanings, or precise vocabulary (Local)

UNDERSTANDING OF LITERARY TEXT(LT:1)

R:LT:1 Demonstrate initial understanding of elements of literary texts by…

R:LT:8:1.1 Identifying or describing character(s), setting, problem/ solution, or plots/subplots, as appropriate to text; or identifying any significant changes in character or setting over time; or identifying rising action, climax, or falling action (Local)

R:LT:8:1.2 Paraphrasing or summarizing key ideas/plot, with major events sequenced, as appropriate to text (Local)

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF LITERARY TEXTS/ CITING EVIDENCE (LT:2 and 3)

R:LT:2 Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate by…

R:LT:8:2.1 Explaining or supporting logical predictions (Local)

R:LT:8:2.2 Describing characterization (e.g., stereotype, antagonist, protagonist), motivation, or interactions, citing thoughts, words, or actions that reveal characters’ traits, motivations, or their changes over time  (Local)

R:LT:8:2.3 Making inferences about cause/effect, internal or external conflicts (e.g., person versus self, person versus person, person versus nature/society/fate), or the relationship among elements within text (e.g., describing the interaction among plot/subplots) (Local)

R:LT:8:2.4 Explaining how the narrator’s point of view affects the reader’s interpretation (Local)

R:LT:8:2.5 Explaining how the author’s message or theme (which may include universal themes) is supported within the text (Local)

R:LT:3 Analyze and interpret author’s craft, citing evidence where appropriate by…

R:LT:8:3.1 Demonstrating knowledge of author’s style or use of literary elements and devices (e.g., imagery, repetition, flashback, foreshadowing, personification, hyperbole, symbolism, or use of punctuation) to analyze literary works (Local)

Suggested Literary Texts include but are not limited to...

Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, realistic fiction, folktales, historical fiction, mysteries, science fiction, myths, legends, short stories, etc.

INITIAL UNDERSTANDING OF INFORMATIONAL TEXT (IT:1)

R:IT:1Demonstrate initial understanding of informational texts (expository and practical texts) by…

R:IT:8:1.1 Obtaining information from text features (e.g., table of contents, glossary, index, transition words /phrases, transitional devices, bold or italicized text, headings, subheadings, graphic organizers, charts, graphs, or illustrations) (Local)

R:IT:8:1.2 Using information from the text to answer questions, to state the main/central ideas, or to provide supporting details  (Local)

R:IT:8:1.3 Organizing information to show understanding or relationships among facts, ideas, and events (e.g., representing main/central ideas or details within text through charting, mapping, paraphrasing, summarizing, comparing/contrasting, or outlining) (Local)

ANALYSIS and INTERPRETATION OF INFORMATIONAL TEXTS/CITING EVIDENCE (IT:2)

R:IT:2 Analyze and interpret informational text, citing evidence as appropriate by…

R:IT:8:2.1 Explaining connections about information within a text, across texts, or to related ideas (Local)

R:IT:8:2.2 Synthesizing and evaluating information within or across text(s) (e.g., constructing appropriate titles; or formulating assertions or controlling ideas) (Local)

R:IT:8:2.3 Drawing inferences about text, including author’s purpose (e.g., to inform, explain, entertain, persuade) or message; or explaining how purpose may affect the interpretation of the text; or using supporting evidence to form or evaluate opinions/judgments and assertions about central ideas that are relevant (Local)

R:IT:8:2.4 Distinguishing fact from opinion, and identifying possible bias/propaganda or conflicting information within or across texts (Local)

R:IT:8:2.5 Making inferences about causes or effects (Local)

R:IT:8:2.6  Evaluating the clarity and accuracy of information (Local)

Suggested  Informational Texts include, but are not limited to:

Reference materials: Reports, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, biographies, autobiographies, Internet websites, public documents and discourse, essays, articles, technical manuals, etc.

Practical/functional  texts: Procedures/instructions, announcements, invitations, book orders, recipes, menus, advertisements, pamphlets, schedules, etc.

TEXT COMPLEXITY DESCRIPTORS FOR GRADE 8

~Includes a full range of literary genres, including realistic and historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and folk literature.

~Informational/functional texts include primary sources, personal narratives and autobiographies, schedules, and manuals, as well as synthesized information found in textbooks.

~Increasing number of uncommon words, including words with non-literal meanings and more abstract vocabulary; word choice can reflect diverse historical and cultural context; text often includes technical words with specialized meanings.

~Language in narrative text is more elaborate and complex, and includes a wide range of dialogue, use of dialects, and varied sentence structure to convey specific meanings.

~Prose style matches text purpose (informational, recreational, provocative, etc.).

~Relationships between ideas become less explicit and require more inference or interpretation.

~Understanding content requires increasing cultural and historical breadth of knowledge.

~More sophisticated themes.

~Texts used often call for literary analysis.

~Informational texts use format, illustrations, and graphics to support understanding of meaning.

~Text features often include advance organizers, inset text, and technology support.

SAMPLE TEXTS AT GRADE 8:

The Upstairs Room; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; The Giver; Science magazine

FLUENCY RATE:    Oral 150-180   Silent  235-270