Reading
Literary Response and Analysis
As students read the literature selections listed in the syllabus they identify and write analyses of the basic elements of story grammar. Specifically they (1) evaluate the structural elements of the plot; (2) compare and contrast the motivations and reactions of literary characters; (3) analyze the relevance of setting; (4) identify and analyze recurring themes; and (5) identify elements of the writer's style.
Eighth-grade students are expected to understand the different kinds of prose and to understand the purposes and characteristics of different kinds of poetry (e.g., ballad, lyric, couplet, epic, sonnet).
Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials)
Students read a variety of informational texts utilizing strategies to make that text accessible. They read several selections with proposal and support pattern (opinion pieces and persuasive arguments). In addition students read owner's manuals and explain the use of complex mechanical devices.

Writing
Writing Applications
In the eighth-grade students continue to produce texts of 500 to 700 words (two to three pages, typed and double-spaced) in these categories: autobiographical narratives, responses to literature, research reports, and persuasive compositions. Students are taught to employ the stages of the writing process; prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing using strategies keyed to the purpose and audience for a particular piece of writing.
English-Language Conventions
The teacher provides models of both good and poor use of written conventions and helps students develop editing skills.

Listening and Speaking
Speaking Applications
Students make narrative, research and persuasive presentations to the class. They also present some of their written compositions orally and recite, poems, sections of speeches, or dramatic soliloquies.
To provide a concrete example of how the standards work in the classroom I have attached my lesson plan for our poetry/imovie project and the rubric (scoring guide) with which the project will be graded.  Click on Lesson Plan