Courses of Study : English Language Arts (Grade 8)

Reading Standards for Literature
Key Ideas and Details
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
1 ) Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. [RL.8.1]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Cognitive Target::
  • Identify textually explicit information and make simple inference with and across texts, such as: definitions, facts, supporting details.
  • Make complex inferences within and across texts to describe problems and solution or cause and effect, determine unstated assumptions in and argument.

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize story detail related to main action. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize paraphrase of story details. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize reason explicitly stated in a story. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer character trait from story details to provide description. (Integrate and Interpret)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.1- Answer who, what, when, where, and why questions to analyze stories, using textual evidence and inferences as support.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
2 ) Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. [RL.8.2]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
Cognitive Target::
Make complex inferences within and across texts to integrate ideas to determine theme, identify or interpret a character's motivations and decisions, examine relations between theme and setting or characters.
NAEP Descriptor::
Integrate and interpret ideas to determine theme. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Synthesize across story to provide theme and support with text. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer and explain a lesson common to story and poem. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Provide an example from the story that reflects the theme. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize reason for plot resolution in a story. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer and recognize main problem faced by a story character. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize main reason for character's action. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize reason for character's action in a story. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize description of character's action explicitly stated in a story. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize paraphrase of story details. (Locate and Recall)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.2- Determine a theme and identify the connection between the theme and characters or setting in a story; create a summary of a story.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
3 ) Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. [RL.8.3]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 3: Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
Cognitive Target::
  • Identify textually explicit information within and across texts such as character traits, sequence of events or actions, setting, (identify) figurative language.
  • Consider text(s) critically to evaluate a character's motivations and decisions.

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate and explain which story character is most important and provide specific info. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Support opinion about author's creation of mood in a story. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer character trait from story details to provide a description. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate character development using text support from beginning and end of a story. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Use story events to support an opinion about a character's behavior. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate and explain which story character is most important and provide specific support. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate author's craft in literary nonfiction and support opinion.

NAEP Descriptor::
Interpret description to recognize how a story character feels. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize main purposes of sentences from literary nonfiction text. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize character's statement and explain with support from the story. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer story character's feelings to provide a description. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Describe how main character's feelings change over the course of the story. (Integrate and Interpret)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.3- Identify how aspects of a character are revealed through events in a story.


Craft and Structure
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
4 ) Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. [RL.8.4]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 4: Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meaning and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Cognitive Target::
  • Consider text(s) critically to evaluate the role of literary devices in conveying meaning; determine the degree to which literary devices enhance a literary work.
  • Make complex inferences to infer mood or tone, to explain how rhythm, rhyme, or form in poetry contribute to meaning.

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize literal meaning of figurative language. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize meaning of word as used in a story. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Interpret poetic language to explain idea. (Integrate and Interpret)


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
5 ) Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style. [RL.8.5]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 5: Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
Cognitive Target::
Make complex inferences within and across texts to describe how an author uses literary devices and text features.
NAEP Descriptor::
Infer and explain a lesson common to story and poem.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
6 ) Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor. [RL.8.6]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 6: Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
Cognitive Target::
Consider text(s) critically to analyze the point of view used by the author.
NAEP Descriptor::
Infer story character's feelings to provide a description. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Describe how main character's feelings change over the course of the story. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate and explain which story character is most important and provide specific info. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Support opinion about author's creation of mood in a story. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer character trait from story details to provide a description. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate character development using text support from beginning and end of a story. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Use story events to support an opinion about a character's behavior. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate and explain which story character is most important and provide specific support. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate author's craft in literary nonfiction and support opinion.

NAEP Descriptor::
Interpret description to recognize how a story character feels. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize main purposes of sentences from literary nonfiction text. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize character's statement and explain with support from the story. (Integrate and Interpret)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.6- Describe the different points of view of different characters in a story; analyze how they create suspense or humor.


Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
7 ) Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors. [RL.8.7]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
NAEP Descriptor::
Provide relevant example from poem and explain why it supports a description. (Integrate and Interpret)


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
8 ) Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new. [RL.8.9]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Cognitive Target::
Consider Text(s) critically to evaluate the author's perspective or point of view within or across texts, take different perspectives in relation to a text, and compare or connect ideas, problems, or situations.
NAEP Descriptor::
Provide and support an opinion about relation of ideas in story and poem. (Critique and Evaluate)


Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
9 ) By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of Grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. [RL.8.10]

Reading Standards for Informational Text
Key Ideas and Details
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
10 ) Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. [RI.8.1]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Cognitive Target::
  • Identify textually explicit information and make simple inference with and across texts, such as: definitions, facts, supporting details.
  • Make complex inferences within and across texts to describe problems and solution or cause and effect, determine unstated assumptions in and argument. Draw conclusions and provide supporting details.
  • Determine fact from opinion.
  • Identify textually explicit information within and across text, such as locating specific information in text or graphics. Make complex references within and across texts, such as draw conclusions and provide supporting information.

NAEP Descriptor::
Using understanding of an article to explain the title. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Use examples from article to explain interpretation. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize the main question answered by article. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Explain differences using information from the article. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize implicit message of a paragraph in a persuasive essay. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize the reason for an action based on explicit details in an expository text. (Locate and Recall)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.10- Answer who, what, when, where, and why questions to analyze informational text, using textual evidence and inferences as support.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
11 ) Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text. [RI.8.2]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
Cognitive Target::
  • Identify textually explicit information within and across text, such as topic sentence or main idea, locate specific information in text or graphics.
  • Make complex references within and across texts, such as summarize major ideas.

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize main purpose of informational article. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize supporting idea stated in an article. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize the main purpose of chart included in an article. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Integrate details to provide an explanation. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Use information from a section of an article to prove an explanation. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Identify steps in a process. (Locate and Recall)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.11- Identify the central idea of an informational text citing supporting ideas; create a summary to an informational text.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
12 ) Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories). [RI.8.3]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 3: Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
Cognitive Target::
Identify textually explicit information within and across texts to find evidence in support of an argument.
NAEP Descriptor::
Explain relation between specific paragraph and author's main point. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate author's presentation of information and provide specific support from passage. (Critique and Evaluate)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.12- Identify similarities or differences between individuals, ideas, or events in an informational text.


Craft and Structure
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
13 ) Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. [RI.8.4]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standards 4: Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Cognitive Target::
Consider text(s) critically to evaluate the way the author selects language to influence readers.
NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize meaning of word as used in an informational article. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Use context of article to recognize meaning of figurative expression. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Interpret word as used in an informational text. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize meaning of a word as used in an article. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Interpret phrase in context of the article. (Locate and Recall)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize meaning of a descriptive word used in an expository passage. (Integrate and Interpret)


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
14 ) Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept. [RI.8.5]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 5: Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
NAEP Descriptor::
Support an opinion about relation of a text feature to information in article. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate persuasive effectiveness of text feature. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize how a sentence is used to appeal to readers in a persuasive text. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate purpose of a text feature in relation to article. (Critique and Evaluate)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.14- Identify the structure (chronology, comparison, problem and solution) of a text or part of an informational text.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
15 ) Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints. [RI.8.6]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 6: Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
Cognitive Target::
Consider text(s) critically to judge author's craft and technique, evaluate the author's perspective or point of view within or across texts.
NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate author's use of evidence to support an argument. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Describe author's tone with a supporting example. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Infer and recognize author's underlying assumption about audience. (Integrate and Interpret)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.15- Identify the author's purpose (i.e., to inform, entertain, persuade) in an informational text.


Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
16 ) Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea. [RI.8.7]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
NAEP Descriptor::
Recognize main purpose of chart included in an article. (Basic, Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Explain relationship of photograph to article with reference to both. (Critique and Evaluate)


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
17 ) Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. [RI.8.8]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 8: Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
Cognitive Target::
Analyze the presentation of information, evaluate the strength and quality of evidence used by the author to support his or her opinion, determine the quality of counter arguments, judge the coherence, logic or credibility of an argument.
NAEP Descriptor::
Explain the relationship between information in two texts. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Connect ideas across argument text to provide an explanation. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Evaluate the author's use of evidence to support argument. (Critique and Evaluate)



Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.17- Identify the argument and claims in an informational text.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
18 ) Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation. [RI.8.9]


NAEP Framework
Anchor Standard::
Anchor Standard 9: Analyze how two or more texts Address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Cognitive Target::
  • Consider text(s) critically to evaluate the author's perspective or point of view within or across texts, take different perspectives in relation to a text, and compare or connect ideas, problems, or situation.
  • Make complex inferences within and across texts to determine the importance of information.

NAEP Descriptor::
Explain the relationship between information in two texts. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Explain relationship of photograph to article with reference to both. (Critique and Evaluate)

NAEP Descriptor::
Use understanding of article and chart to recognize a text-based inference. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Compare information across two texts to provide a similarity and a difference. (Integrate and Interpret)

NAEP Descriptor::
Explain relationship between two text types. (Critique and Evaluate)


Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 1
Classroom Resources: 1
19 ) By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the Grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. [RI.8.10]

Writing Standards
Text Types and Purposes
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
20 ) Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. [W.8.1]

a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. [W.8.1a]

b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. [W.8.1b]

c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. [W.8.1c]

d. Establish and maintain a formal style. [W.8.1d]

e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. [W.8.1e]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.20- Compose an argument to support a claim by stating a claim, providing facts or reasons supporting the claim, and providing an appropriate conclusion related to the stated argument.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
21 ) Write informative or explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. [W.8.2]

a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. [W.8.2a]

b. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. [W.8.2b]

c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. [W.8.2c]

d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. [W.8.2d]

e. Establish and maintain a formal style. [W.8.2e]

f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented. [W.8.2f]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.21- Compose informative or explanatory texts by stating a topic, providing facts or details, and providing an appropriate conclusion related to the topic.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
22 ) Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. [W.8.3]

a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator, characters, or both; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. [W.8.3a]

b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. [W.8.3b]

c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events. [W.8.3c]

d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. [W.8.3d]

e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. [W.8.3e]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.22- Compose narrative texts by introducing characters or a narrator, organizing events in sequence, and providing an ending related to the event sequence.


Production and Distribution of Writing
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
23 ) Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 20-22 above.) [W.8.4]

English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
24 ) With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of the first three standards in the Language strand in Grades K-8.) [W.8.5]

English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
25 ) Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others. [W.8.6]

Research to Build and Present Knowledge
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
26 ) Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration. [W.8.7]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.26- Ask and answer questions to conduct research on a topic and produce a product.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
27 ) Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation. [W.8.8]

English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
28 ) Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. [W.8.9]

a. Apply Grade 8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new"). [W.8.9a]

b. Apply Grade 8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced"). [W.8.9b]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.28- Draw evidence from a literary or informational text to support an analysis or research topic.


Range of Writing
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
29 ) Write routinely over extended time frames, including time for research, reflection, and revision, and shorter time frames such as a single sitting or a day or two for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. [W.8.10]

Speaking and Listening Standards
Comprehension and Collaboration
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
30 ) Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. [SL.8.1]

a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. [SL.8.1a]

b. Follow rules for collegial discussions and decision-making, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. [SL.8.1b]

c. Pose questions that connect the ideas of several speakers and respond to others' questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas. [SL.8.1c]

d. Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views in light of the evidence presented. [SL.8.1d]

English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
31 ) Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation. [SL.8.2]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.31- Compare and/or contrast different types of diverse media (e.g., video, news, commercial, etc.); evaluate the motive of diverse media or information.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
32 ) Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced. [SL.8.3]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.32- Ask and answer questions about information provided by a speaker.


Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
33 ) Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. [SL.8.4]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AA.8.33- Present a claim, which includes a beginning, middle, and end, and use relevant facts and details.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
34 ) Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. [SL.8.5]

English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
35 ) Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See Grade 8 Language standards 36 and 38 for specific expectations.) [SL.8.6]

Language Standards
Skills and understandings that are particularly likely to require continued attention in higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking are marked with an asterisk (*).
Conventions of Standard English
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
36 ) Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. [L.8.1]

a. Apply rules of subject-verb agreement when interrupted by a prepositional phrase, with inverted word order, with indefinite pronouns as subjects, compound subjects joined by correlative and coordinating conjunctions, and collective nouns when verb form depends on the rest of the sentence. (Alabama)

b. Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences. [L.8.1a]

c. Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice. [L.8.1b]

d. Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood. [L.8.1c]

e. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.* [L.8.1d]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.36- Demonstrate standard English grammar when communicating.
ELA.AAS.8.36a- Use a complete sentence with appropriate subject-verb agreement when asking and answering questions.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
37 ) Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. [L.8.2]

a. Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break. [L.8.2a]

b. Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission. [L.8.2b]

c. Spell correctly. [L.8.2c]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.37- Demonstrate understanding of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
ELA.AAS.8.37a- Use a period, a question mark, an exclamation point, and commas in a series correctly.


Knowledge of Language
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
38 ) Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. [L.8.3]

a. Use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve particular effects (e.g., emphasizing the actor or the action; expressing uncertainty or describing a state contrary to fact). [L.8.3a]

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
39 ) Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on Grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. [L.8.4]

a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. [L.8.4a]

b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede). [L.8.4b]

c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech. [L.8.4c]

d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary). [L.8.4d]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.L8.39- Identify reference materials (print/ digital) and their purposes.
ELA.AAS.8.39a- Use context clues to determine the meaning of a word or phrase.
ELA.AAS.8.39c- Identify reference materials and their purposes; demonstrate the ability to use reference materials to find the pronunciation of a word or determine its meaning.
ELA.AAS.8.39d - Verify the meaning of a word using a dictionary.


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
40 ) Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. [L.8.5]

a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context. [L.8.5a]

b. Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words. [L.8.5b]

c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute). [L.8.5c]


Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
ELA.AAS.8.40- Determine the meaning of figurative language in context.
ELA.AAS.8.40a- Identify the meaning of a simile or metaphor.
ELA.AAS.8.40b- Identify the relationship between particular words (e.g., part/whole, item/category).


English Language Arts (2015)
Grade(s): 8
All Resources: 0
41 ) Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. [L.8.6]