Instructional Framework: Grade 8

• AllskillsandstrategiesoutlinedyourLanguage Arts Curriculum are addressed in the Nelson Literacy instructionalframework.

• Eachunithasaclearlyarticulated instructional focus. Skills and strategies from each strand build on andreinforceoneanotherwhenpresented in this interconnected manner.

• Theinstructionalframeworksupportsthe development of your long-range plan for literacy instruction

• Metacognition and critical literacy are embedded throughout

Nelson

Global CitizeNsSelections reflect contemporary global issues and promote social responsibility and activism.

teCh theN aNd NowSelections examine changes in technology and how those changes affect society.

seCretsSelections reflect a broad range of topics related to secrets—from spies to gossip, from ancient wonders to modern cyberspace.

No limitsSelections investigate what it takes—both mentally and physically—to be the best: to run the fastest, leap the highest, and capture the gold.

reality CheCkSelections focus a critical eye on media and behind the scenes, but also provide opportunity for looking at familiar topics with new eyes.

ChasiNG a dreamSelections examine the dreams that fuel our ambitions and get us to strive for better—for ourselves and others.

oral laNGuaGe Comprehension strategiesListen effectively using strategies such •as making connections, questioning, and summarizing

interactive strategiesIdentify and use appropriate •techniques for oral presentations

making inferencesDevelop and explain interpretations •of oral texts using oral and visual clues

demonstrating understandingDemonstrate understanding of •increasingly difficult oral texts

extending understandingConnect, compare, and contrast ideas •in increasingly complex texts to own knowledge and experiences

appropriate language/Vocal skills and strategies

Communicate in a clear, constructive manner •appropriate to purpose, subject matter, and audience

readiNG making ConnectionsMake connections to help with making •predictions, visualizing, and drawing conclusions

QuestioningAsk questions, focusing particularly •on evaluative questions, to gain meaning from text

making inferencesDemonstrate understanding of •increasingly complex or difficult text through implied ideas

summarizingSummarize text through the use of •graphic organizers

synthesizingAsk evaluative questions to synthesize •information from various sources

evaluatingEvaluate increasingly complex texts based •on literal and inferred meaning

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teXt PatterNs, Features, aNd Forms

Pattern: SequenceFeature: Magazine ConventionsForm: nonfiction article, tip, picture book, poem, quotation, newspaper article, magazine article, video transcript, oral tale, magazine cover, book cover, magazine ad, photo essay, diary, autobiography, informational report

Pattern: Narrative Feature: Poetry ConventionsForm: profile, nonfiction article, concrete poem, opinion piece, graphic text, speech, comic strip, poster, illustration, short story, information article

Pattern: GeneralizationFeature: VisualsForm: personal anecdote, poem, science fiction, photo essay, article, fictionalized letter, informational text, script, spoken word, graphic comic, informational article, essay, science text

Pattern: Nonfiction Recount Feature: Online Article ConventionsForm: self-help article, nonfiction recount, informational article, profile, online article, magazine article, poem, quiz, guide, online article

Pattern: Cause and Effect Feature: Letter ConventionsForm: online article, interview, poem, letter, magazine article, TV show transcript, short story, newspaper article, instructional text

Pattern: Problem/Solution Feature: Public Service AnnouncementsForm: graphic comic, traditional song, poem, online article, legend, online diary, magazine article, program brochure, speech, monologue, poster, TV commercial, video transcript, newspaper feature

elemeNts oF stylelaNGuaGe CoNVeNtioNs

elements of style: foreshadowing, metaphor, dialogue, ironylanguage Conventions: ellipses, dashes, word order, relative pronouns, idiom

elements of style: exaggeration, imagery, rhetoric, tonelanguage Conventions: base words, prefixes, suffixes, quotation marks, adjectives

elements of style: personification, analogy, metaphorlanguage Conventions: comma usage, subject/verb agreement, specialized vocabulary, contractions

elements of style: characterization, humour, tone, transitionslanguage Conventions: subordinate conjunctions, adverb phrases, titles, editing and revising

elements of style: satire, point of view, metaphorlanguage Conventions: adjectives, punctuation, possessives, paragraph conventions, sentence conventions

elements of style: symbolism, transitions, rhetoriclanguage Conventions: contractions, sentence structure, descriptive language, adverbs

writiNG trait: Ideas—Develop a main idea with supporting detailsProcess: Prewriting and Drafting

trait: Organization—Choose an organizational patternProcess: Drafting and Revising

trait: Voice—Put voice in informational writingProcess: Drafting and Revising

trait: Word Choice—Use synonyms and antonyms to enhance meaningProcess: Drafting and Revising

trait: Fluency—Use transitions to increase fluencyProcess: Drafting and Revising

trait: Conventions—Choose appropriate writing conventions for your audienceProcess: Publishing

media literaCy Purpose & audienceAsk questions to analyze purpose and •audience in media texts

evaluating media textsEvaluate the assumptions and values •of media texts

Create media textsUse appropriate conventions and •techniques to create comics

understanding media textsDemonstrate that different media texts •reflect many points of view

analyzing media elementsAnalyze the intent of various media •elements to understand the message of the media text

Create media textsUse appropriate conventions and techniques •to create public service announcements

traNsFer your learNiNG

Geography mathematics science health history the arts