Our Curriculum › Reading › 8th Grade
Reading 8
A year of 8th-grade reading that moves between fiction, history-linked nonfiction, arguments, satire and poetry. Five novels are read in part, and the nonfiction work builds toward judging evidence and persuasion closely.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
9 units
Each opens to its lessons
5 novels read in part
Some need a library card
Standards
Common Core Grade 8 reading
What's taught, unit by unit
Foundations: evidence, structure & argumentDays 1–30
Strong textual evidence, theme and plot, dialogue and incidents that reveal character, analogies and allusions, comparing text structures, tracing and evaluating arguments, fiction vs. history, conflicting sources, a novel's point of view, and an author's craft across works.
- 1 · Welcome to Reading 8: Strong Textual Evidence
- 2 · Analyzing Theme's Relationship to Plot and Setting
- 3 · Analyzing How Dialogue Propels Action
- 4 · Analyzing How Incidents Reveal Character
- 6 · Analyzing Word Choice: Analogies
- 7 · Analyzing Word Choice: Allusions
- 8 · Comparing the Structure of Two Texts
- 9 · Analyzing How Structure Contributes to Meaning and Style
- 11 · Analyzing Author's POV and Purpose
- 12 · Analyzing How an Author Acknowledges Conflicting Evidence
- 13 · Delineating and Evaluating an Argument
- 14 · Recognizing Irrelevant Evidence
- 16 · Comparing a Fictional Portrayal to a Historical Account
- 17 · Evaluating What Fiction Emphasizes vs. Omits
- 18 · Analyzing Conflicting Information from Multiple Texts
- 19 · Synthesizing Reliable Information from Conflicting Sources
- 21 · Analyzing How a Novel's POV Shapes the Reader's Understanding
- 22 · Analyzing Suspense Created by Differing Character/Reader Knowledge
- 23 · Analyzing Humor Created by Differing Character/Reader Knowledge
- 24 · Determining the Meaning of Analogies in Context
- 26 · Analyzing How Two Texts Address a Similar Theme Differently
- 27 · Analyzing an Author's Craft Across a Body of Work
- 28 · Evaluating a Text's Cultural or Historical Context
- 29 · Synthesizing Craft, Structure, and Meaning
Plus 6 review days, not listed.
Civil Rights-era textsDays 31–40
A Civil Rights-era memoir, speeches and two newspaper accounts of the same event. Comparing a speech to a news report, word choice and repetition, the lasting impact of powerful words, and comparing historical and modern reporting.
- 31 · Analyzing a Civil Rights-Era Memoir
- 32 · Comparing a Civil Rights Speech to a News Account
- 33 · Analyzing Word Choice and Repetition in Civil Rights Speeches
- 34 · Evaluating the Lasting Impact of Civil Rights Rhetoric
- 36 · Comparing Two News Accounts of the Same Civil Rights Event
- 37 · Analyzing Word Choice Differences Between Two News Accounts
- 38 · Comparing Historical News Language to Modern Reporting
- 39 · Synthesizing History and Literature
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Characters, settings & imagined futuresDays 41–60
A Space Race text, complex characters and inner conflict, patterns of word choice that build tone, emotional impact, immigrant and coming-of-age narratives, cultural identity, and dystopian and utopian fiction as comment on real issues.
- 41 · Analyzing a Space Race-Era Text
- 42 · Analyzing a Complex Character's Internal Conflict
- 43 · Analyzing How Complex Characters Interact
- 44 · How Character Interactions Advance Plot and Theme
- 46 · How Word-Choice Patterns Build Tone
- 47 · How Repeated Setting Details Build a Sense of Place
- 48 · Evaluating a Text's Emotional Impact
- 49 · Synthesizing Structure, Character, and Language Analysis
- 51 · Analyzing an Immigrant Narrative
- 52 · Analyzing Cultural Identity in Literature
- 53 · Comparing Coming-of-Age Stories Across Eras
- 54 · Analyzing How Setting Reflects a Historical Moment
- 56 · Analyzing a Dystopian Text
- 57 · Analyzing Warning Themes in Speculative Fiction
- 58 · Comparing Utopian and Dystopian Visions
- 59 · Analyzing How Fiction Comments on Real Issues
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Nonfiction: perspectives, science & essaysDays 61–80
Multi-perspective articles and balance, editorials and persuasive techniques, fact vs. opinion, scientific and technical texts with multi-step instructions, personal essays and their universal truths, whole-book arguments and extended metaphor.
- 61 · Analyzing a Multi-Perspective Nonfiction Text
- 62 · Evaluating Balance in Multi-Perspective Texts
- 63 · Analyzing an Editorial's Persuasive Techniques
- 64 · Distinguishing Fact-Based Claims from Opinion-Based Claims
- 66 · Analyzing a Scientific or Technical Text
- 67 · Following Multi-Step Technical Instructions
- 68 · Evaluating the Clarity of Technical Writing
- 69 · Synthesizing Multiple Nonfiction Genres
- 71 · Halfway Milestone: Reading Reflection
- 72 · Analyzing a Personal Essay
- 73 · Analyzing How Personal Experience Connects to Universal Truths
- 74 · Comparing Personal Essays on Similar Experiences
- 76 · Analyzing a Text's Central Argument at the Whole-Book Level
- 77 · Evaluating How Chapters Build a Longer Argument
- 78 · Analyzing Extended Metaphors Across a Whole Text
- 79 · Synthesizing a Semester's Worth of Reading Skills
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Irony, satire & layered meaningDays 81–100
Satire and the purpose behind it, verbal and situational irony, sarcasm, satire across eras, then texts with literal and symbolic layers, unreliable narrators, foreshadowing, and poetry (structure, sound, a poem set to music, a full poetry analysis).
- 81 · Analyzing a Satirical Text
- 82 · Analyzing Verbal Irony
- 83 · Analyzing Situational Irony
- 84 · Distinguishing Types of Irony
- 86 · Comparing Verbal Irony and Sarcasm in Dialogue
- 87 · Analyzing the Purpose Behind Satire
- 88 · Comparing Satirical Texts Across Eras
- 89 · Reflecting on a Semester of Reading 8
- 91 · Analyzing a Text's Multiple Layers of Meaning
- 92 · Analyzing an Unreliable Narrator's Effect on Theme
- 93 · Analyzing Foreshadowing's Cumulative Effect
- 94 · Synthesizing Craft Techniques Across a Novel
- 96 · Analyzing How Poets Use Structure for Emphasis
- 97 · Analyzing Sound Devices for Emotional Effect
- 98 · Comparing a Poem to Its Musical Adaptation
- 99 · Writing a Comprehensive Poetry Analysis
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Five novelsDays 101–110
Chapters from Homecoming (Cynthia Voigt), Of Mice and Men, Animal Farm, Bridge to Terabithia and To Kill a Mockingbird, with a focus on overcoming adversity, mentorship, irony as social critique, sympathy, and the author's overall craft.
- 101 · Analyzing a Text About Overcoming Adversity
- 102 · Analyzing How a Text Portrays Mentorship
- 103 · Analyzing How Setting Shapes Opportunity
- 104 · Comparing Two Texts on Overcoming Adversity
- 106 · Analyzing a Text's Use of Irony to Critique Society
- 107 · Analyzing How an Author Builds Reader Sympathy
- 108 · Evaluating an Author's Overall Craft
- 109 · Synthesizing a Semester's Worth of Literary Analysis
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Mixed review & a look at high schoolDays 111–120
Review of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, genre and craft skills, previews of world literature and rhetorical analysis for high school, reading strategies, and a comprehensive practice test.
- 111 · Mixed Review: Fiction Analysis Skills
- 112 · Mixed Review: Nonfiction Analysis Skills
- 113 · Mixed Review: Poetry Analysis Skills
- 114 · Mixed Review: Genre and Craft Analysis
- 116 · Preparing for High School Reading: World Literature Preview
- 117 · Preparing for High School Reading: Rhetorical Analysis Preview
- 118 · Reviewing Reading Strategies
- 119 · Practice Test: Comprehensive Review
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Practical texts & argument analysisDays 121–140
Texts on money, consumer culture, advertising techniques and everyday how-to reading, a coming-of-age text about independence, then a close study of arguments: central vs. supporting claims, evidence quality, counterarguments, structure and tone shifts.
- 121 · Analyzing a Text About Financial Decision-Making
- 122 · Analyzing a Text About Consumer Culture
- 123 · Evaluating Advertising Techniques in Text
- 124 · Analyzing a Text About Practical Life Skills
- 126 · Analyzing a Coming-of-Age Text About Independence
- 127 · Analyzing a Text About Preparing for the Future
- 128 · Comparing Advice Texts Across Sources
- 129 · Synthesizing Practical Reading Skills
- 131 · Analyzing a Text’s Central Claim vs. Supporting Claims
- 132 · Evaluating Evidence Quality
- 133 · Analyzing Counterarguments’ Placement and Effect
- 134 · Synthesizing Argument Analysis Skills
- 136 · Analyzing a Text’s Structural Choices for Persuasion
- 137 · Analyzing Tone Shifts Within an Argument
- 138 · Evaluating an Argument’s Overall Persuasive Success
- 139 · Reflecting on a Year of Argument Analysis
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Review, recommendations & final testsDays 141–180
No new texts: mixed reviews, a book recommendation and goals for high school, mastery checks, practice tests and a two-part final practice test, test-taking strategies, a reading presentation, celebration days and a final reflection.
- 141 · Comprehensive Mixed Review: Fiction Analysis
- 142 · Comprehensive Mixed Review: Nonfiction and Argument Analysis
- 143 · Comprehensive Mixed Review: Poetry and Genre
- 144 · Comprehensive Mixed Review: Author’s Craft
- 146 · Choosing Your Favorite Book to Recommend
- 147 · Writing a Final Book Recommendation
- 148 · Reflecting on a Year of Reading 8
- 149 · Setting Reading Goals for High School
- 151 · Mastery Check: Fiction Analysis
- 152 · Mastery Check: Nonfiction and Argument Analysis
- 153 · Mastery Check: Poetry and Genre Analysis
- 154 · Mastery Check: Vocabulary and Rhetorical Analysis
- 156 · Practice Test: Literary Analysis
- 157 · Practice Test: Informational Text Analysis
- 158 · Practice Test: Vocabulary and Craft
- 159 · Reviewing Reading Comprehension Strategies
- 161 · Reviewing Complex Text Analysis
- 162 · Mastery Check: Comprehensive Reading Skills
- 163 · Practice Test: Comprehensive Cumulative Review
- 164 · Reviewing Common Reading Comprehension Errors
- 166 · Final Practice Test: Part 1
- 167 · Final Practice Test: Part 2
- 168 · Reviewing Test-Taking Confidence Strategies
- 169 · Reviewing Your Favorite Books This Year
- 171 · Final Review: Fiction and Poetry Analysis
- 172 · Final Review: Nonfiction and Argument Analysis
- 173 · Final Review: Author’s Craft and Genre
- 174 · Preparing Your Reading 8 Presentation
- 175 · Presenting Your Reading 8 Journey
- 176 · Reading 8 Celebration Day: Favorite Books
- 177 · Reading 8 Celebration Day: Skills Showcase
- 178 · Looking Ahead: Preparing for High School Reading
- 179 · Final Reflection: A Year of Reading 8
- 180 · Congratulations! You Completed Reading 8!
Plus 6 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Choose the strongest textual evidence to support an analysis
- Trace an argument, then judge its evidence, counterarguments and tone
- Explain how word choice, structure and repeated details build meaning in fiction and poetry
- Recognize and explain irony, satire, allusion and symbolism
- Compare how fiction, memoir and news present the same historical events
- Read a long work in parts and explain how its chapters build its theme
Other 8th Grade subjects: Math 8 · Writing 8 · Science 8 · History 8