In 8th grade English, we focus on self discovery. We will begin the year reading and writing realistic fiction. Together, we will read Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, and students will read and analyze their own independent realistic fiction books. As they read, students will begin to create their own character, and they will eventually write their own story about that character.
Next, we will move into our Research Passion Project. Students will use 21st century skills to research a topic about which they are extremely interested. Many of the students will choose an element of that topic to create and present a TED Talk, while other students will choose an entirely different topic.
Another exciting unit will focus on fairness and equality, and through book clubs, we will read about the Holocaust, Segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, and modern-day social issues. Students will come up with a big idea, or theme, about fairness and equality, and they will write an essay, drawing upon what they learned from the novels they read.
Finally, we will end the year reading classic literature. As a class, we will read Lord of the Flies.
