MS VITI'S ENGLISH CLASS
Reading & Writing Units
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING THIS YEAR?
UNIT 1
HMH Into Literature
"Gadgets and Glitches"
Topic: Technology and Social media
Essential Question: Does technology improve or control our lives?
HMH into literature Grade 8 "Gadgets & Glitches" is about Technology and social media students will read a variety of texts on the topic that include:
"The Brave Little Toaster" by Cory Doctorow
"Are Superhumans on the Horizon?" by Ramez Naam
"Interflora" by Susan Hamlyn
"Automation Paradox" by James Bessen
"Heads up, Humans" by Claudia Alarcon
Students will produce an argumentative writing piece at the end of the unit referencing all from all the texts above as sources.
UNIT 2
HMH Into Literature
"Thrill of Horror"
UNIT 3
HMH Into Literature
"Places we Call Home"
Topic: Exploring the Horror Genre
Essential Question: Why do we sometimes like to feel frightened?
HMH into literature Grade 8 "Gadgets & Glitches" is about horror stories that examine why the genre terrifies and fascinates. Students will read, write, and discuss texts that can be both horrifying and enjoyable. Students will read a variety of texts on the genre that include:
"What is the Horror Genre?" by Sharon A. Russell
"The Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
"From Aeneid of Virgil" by Allen Mandelbaum
"From Hades Lord of the Dead" by George O'Connor
Students will produce a Literary Criticism on the horror genre.
UNIT 4
HMH Into Literature
"The Fight for Freedom"
Topic: Citizens and immigrants
Essential Question: What are the places that shape who you are?
Students will learn about various places that people call home. The following list of texts will be included in the unit:
"My Favorite Chaperone"
"Book of Unknown Americans"
"Spirit Walking in the Tundra"
"New immigrants Share their Stories"
"A Common Bond"
"Salmon Boy"
"Golden Glass"
"A Place to Call Home"
"The Latehomecomer"
"My Father & the Figtree"
Students will produce a short story at the end of the unit.
Topic: Revolutionary War
Essential Question: What are people willing to do to be free?
The Fight for Freedom is an engaging and informative resource that introduces students to the American Revolutionary War. Through the personal of those who fought in the war, readers gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in American history. This is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about the fight for independence.
Some of the texts students will be reading include:
From the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave Autobiography of Frederick Douglas
"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury
"O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
From Harriet Tubman, Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry
"Not my Bones" by Marilyn Nelson
"From Fortune's Bones" by Pamela Espeland
Students will be producing a research report.
