North Dakota State Standards for Language Arts: Grade 8

ND.8.1. Research: Students engage in the research process.

8.1.1. Planning Research: Use questions to narrow research topic.

8.1.2. Accessing Information: Use a variety of primary and/or secondary sources to access information; i.e., computer catalogs, magazines, newspapers, and primary sources.

8.1.3. Evaluating Research Information: Evaluate sources that present different perspectives; e.g., by identifying sources of bias and distinguishing between primary and secondary sources.

8.1.4. Organizing and Presenting Research Information: Use information from multiple sources when presenting research findings to defined audiences.

8.1.5. Presentation: Write a research report using a thesis.

8.1.6. Evaluate the Research: Evaluate the research process.

8.1.7. Evaluate the Research: Evaluate a research product using a rubric.

ND.8.2. Reading: Students engage in the reading process.

8.2.1. Literary and Informational Genres: Compare or contrast characteristics of fiction and nonfiction genres.

8.2.2. Reading Strategies for Interpreting Meaning of Texts: Use prior knowledge and experiences to aid text comprehension.

8.2.3. Reading Strategies for Interpreting Meaning of Texts: Use a variety of strategies to construct meaning from text; e.g., vocabulary building strategies, skimming, paraphrasing, summarizing, brainstorming, and discussing.

8.2.4. Purposes for Reading: Read for a variety of purposes to develop lifetime reading skills and habits, e.g., for personal recreation, to model forms of writing.

8.2.5. Literary Elements and Techniques: Identify theme, protagonist, antagonist, and dialect in literary texts.

8.2.6. Literary Elements and Techniques: Identify figurative language in literary texts including personification, simile, metaphor, and hyperbole.

8.2.7. Literary Elements and Techniques: Make connections between literature and historical period, culture, and society.

8.2.8. Literary Elements and Techniques: Explain the uses of sound devices in literary texts. including alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, repetition, and rhythm.

8.2.9. Vocabulary: Use vocabulary building skills and strategies; e.g., synonyms/antonyms, prefixes/suffixes, multiple meaning words context clues, word reference aids - dictionary, glossary, thesaurus to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and make sense of text.

8.2.10. Vocabulary: Build vocabulary; e.g., Greek and Latin roots, dictionary information, content area terminology.

ND.8.3. Writing: Students engage in the writing process.

8.3.1. Informative Writing: Compose informative writing, e.g., research, biographies, autobiographies, news articles, interviews.

8.3.2. Narrative Writing: Write short stories that include story elements; e.g., dialogue, action, physical description, background description, character development.

8.3.3. Persuasive Writing: Produce persuasive writing; e.g., editorials, essays, business letters and opinions.

8.3.4. Prewriting: Use free writing and journal writing to develop ideas for writing topics.

8.3.5. Prewriting: Use language and format appropriate for intended audience and purpose.

8.3.6. Drafting: Use prewriting product to create a first draft emphasizing details and referencing sources.

8.3.7. Drafting: Incorporate grade-level appropriate vocabulary in writing.

8.3.8. Drafting: Use organizational patterns; e.g., introduction, body, conclusion, or exposition/body/resolution.

8.3.9. Revising and Editing: Use criteria to evaluate own and others' writing.

8.3.10. Revising and Editing: Use feedback and multiple drafts to revise text for specific purposes; i.e., clarity of ideas, organization, word choice, and fluency.

8.3.11. Revising and Editing: Edit for grammar, mechanics, usage, and spelling.

8.3.12. Publication/Presentation: Incorporate a variety of visual aids in publications.

8.3.13. Publication/Presentation: Use computer technology to present written work.

ND.8.4. Speaking and Listening: Students engage in the speaking and listening process.

8.4.1. Planning for an Audience/Purpose: Speak with a purpose using delivery techniques appropriate for different audiences to inform, demonstrate, entertain, or persuade.

8.4.2. Planning for an Audience/Purpose: Use supporting materials for topic development; e.g., research, personal experience, literature, interview.

8.4.3. Conversation, Group Discussion, and Oral Presentation: Speak for different purposes; e.g., group discussions, research presentations and demonstrations.

8.4.4. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication: Use volume, eye contact, rate, pronunciation, and articulation effectively in oral presentations.

ND.8.5. Media: Students understand media.

8.5.1. Media Genres: Identify existing and developing media

8.5.2. Using Media for a Purpose: Access media (e.g., television, film, music, electronic databases, videos, DVDs, comics, visual and performing arts, newspapers, and periodicals) for a variety of purposes.

8.5.3. Using Media for a Purpose: Construct media messages; e.g., editorials, news articles, commentaries, web sites, commercials, and advertisements.

8.5.4. Interpreting Media: Describe the role of the media in influencing and shaping public opinion.

8.5.5. Interpreting Media: Show how media messages influence people in various ways; e.g., comprehensiveness, appeal to emotions, attitudes and behaviors, authenticity, and stereotyping.

8.5.6. Interpreting Media: Define plagiarism and its consequences.

8.5.7. Interpreting Media: Define copyright.

ND.8.6. Language: Students understand and use principles of language.

8.6.1. Language Conventions/Mechanics: Use varied sentence structure; i.e., simple, compound, complex, and inverted order.

8.6.2. Language Conventions/Mechanics: Use conventions of grammar related to parts of speech; i.e., verbs progressive tense, complements.

8.6.3. Language Conventions/Mechanics: Use grade-appropriate mechanics and usage; i.e., Capitalization: publications and in letters; Punctuation: commas, semi colons, colons, quotation marks, underlining, hyphens, apostrophes; Usage: misplaced modifiers.

8.6.4. Language Context: Identify social differences in language; e.g., the use of slang, cliche, and formal and informal styles.

8.6.5. Language Context: Identify cultural and regional differences in language use; e.g., different dialects and language diversity.

8.6.6. Language Context: Locate examples of professional uses of language including jargon and formal styles.

8.6.7. Literary Elements and Techniques: Use figurative language including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and point of view.