English Language Arts 8
The Instructor for this course is Leona McLeod
Course History
First Offered in 2016
Developed by MJ Sherven
This course is designed to fulfill the curricular objectives of the Saskatchewan Grade 8 English Language Arts curriculum. It is divided into 5 units of study.
Each unit of study contains readings, novels, movies, videos, and activities of their own. No additional text/books is required. Within each unit, you will be asked to complete assignments and exams. There are also a variety of links to videos, websites, and other media provided. These links are only a small sample of what is available for you to use on the internet. Please feel free to use any other sources that you find - just keep track of the sources you use for your assignments.
Course Information
Unit One – Becoming Myself (5 weeks) Students are looking inward and focusing on self-image and self-esteem. They reflect on self and life, and on their beliefs and values and those of their society.
Section 1: Who Am I? Short Stories – 1.5 weeks
Section 2: More Short Stories and Fables – 2 weeks
Section 3: The Diary of Anne Frank ~ A Play – 1.5 weeks
Unit Two – Is It Fair? In Search of Justice (9 weeks) Students look outward and examine their relationships with others, their community, and that of the world. They also consider the historical context.
Section 1: Social Justice – 1 week
Section 2: Shawnadithit and the Beothuk Tribe – 0.5 week
Section 3: Residential Schools – 1.5 weeks
Section 4: I Have A Dream – 0.5 week
Section 5: Remember The Titans – 0.5 week
Section 6: Japanese Internment – 1 week
Section 7: Child Labour – 1 week
Section 8: Touching Spirit Bear Novel Study – 3 weeks
Unit Three – First Nations and Greek Mythology (8 weeks) Students consider the imaginary worlds and possibilities.
Section 1: What is Mythology? – 1 week
Section 2: First Nations Wesakechak – 1.5 week
Section 3: Introduction to the Greeks – 0.5 week
Section 4: Greek Mythology – 3.5 weeks
Section 5: Greek Mythological Monsters – 0.5 week
Section 6: Greek Mythology Final Project – 1 week
Unit Four – Burning Questions (6 weeks) Students consider the role of communication in their lives and the ideas and technologies that help people become effective communicators.
Section 1: Burning Questions Extend Our Learning – 1.5 weeks
Section 2: How have innocent people suffered so that others could gain? – 1.5 weeks
Section 3: How could the suffering of innocent people been allowed? – 1 week
Section 4: Why are innocent people still suffering today? – 0.5 week
Section 5: What is our social responsibility? 1.5 weeks
Unit Five – Adventure and Adventurers (10 weeks) Students explore the elements of the natural and constructed world and the role of technology and related developments in their society.
Section 1: Are You An Adventurer? – 1 week
Section 2: Against Great Odds – 1 week
Section 3: Breaking New Ground – 1.5 weeks
Section 4: Imaginative Adventurers – 1.5 weeks
Section 5: Unit End Project Options – 1 week
Section 6: Novel Study Options ~ Brian's Winter/The Cay/Z for Zachariah – 4 weeks
