Language Arts State Standards For Grades 5-8

    8.1.1 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify the main idea and supporting details in what they have read. (Monitor their understanding as they read; interpret information from diagrams, charts, and graphs; answer literal, inferential/interpretive and critical questions; evaluate information for relevance and accuracy; skim to identify the main idea of a selection; scan to locate specific details.)

    8.1.2 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify, locate, and use multiple resources to access specific information. (Use general reference materials [dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas, telephone book, almanac]; use electronic resources [CD-ROM, software programs, online resources]; use library resources [card or electronic catalog, periodicals, and other informational text]; use multimedia resources [video/audio tapes].)

    8.1.3 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify and classify different types of text. (Read and distinguish among common forms of literature such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama; identify characteristics of different types of fiction [legend, myth fantasy, short story, novels, historical fiction]; identify characteristics of different types of nonfiction [autobiography, biography, informational text]; identify different types of poetry [narrative, haiku, free verse, ballad, limerick, rhyming, couplets].)

    8.1.4 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify and apply knowledge of the structure, elements, and literary techniques to analyze fiction. (Identify the structure [beginning, middle, end]; identify and analyze the elements [characters, setting, plot, conflict, and point of view]; identify the literary techniques [foreshadowing, simile, metaphor, personification, idioms, oxymorons, onomatopoeia, alliteration, hyperbole]; describe how character traits determine resolution of the conflict; identify directly stated themes in literature.)

    8.1.5 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify and apply knowledge of the text structure and organizational elements to analyze nonfiction or informational text. (Identify the structure of expository text [question/answer, cause/effect, sequence, comparison/contrast, problem/solution, description]; identify organizational elements and graphic features of nonfiction texts [headings, subheadings, italics, bold print, captions, charts, tables, cartoons, illustrations]; generate how, why, and what-if questions in interpreting nonfiction text; follow written directions in technical reading.)

    8.1.6 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify similarities and differences across a variety of reading selections.  (Compare and contrast reading selections across geographic regions, cultures, and time periods; compare and contrast reading selections to students’ present-day lives; compare and contrast stories and biographies of historical figures important in the United States and Nebraska.)

    8.1.7 By the end of the eighth grade, students will demonstrate the ability to analyze literary works, nonfiction, films, or media. (Analyze how a literary work reflects the authors’ personal history, attitudes, and/or beliefs; analyze how a work can be shown to reflect the period, ideas, customs, and outlooks of a people living in a particular time in history; evaluate information for relevance and accuracy.)

    8.2.1 By the end of the eighth grade, students will write using standard English (conventions) for sentence structure, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. (Identify and use correct capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and paragraph indentation; identify and use all parts of speech; use a variety of sentence structures

    8.2.2 By the end of the eighth grade, students will write compositions with focus, related ideas, and supporting details. (Use a variety of strategies to generate and organize ideas; write compositions with an introduction, body, and conclusion; select a topic of appropriate breadth for the particular situation.)

    8.2.3 By the end of the eighth grade, students will revise and edit written work for organization, content, word choice (vocabulary), voice, sentence fluency, and standard English (conventions). Revise to improve voice, content, organization, word choice, and sentence fluency; edit using standard English conventions; use legible writing and/or a word processor when publishing written work; use established criteria to evaluate their own writing; form and explain their own standards or judgments of quality

    .2.4 By the end of the eighth grade, students will demonstrate the use of multiple forms to write for different audiences and purposes. (Develop narrative, descriptive, and/or expository/technical writing for a designated audience and purpose; write to describe, explain, persuade, and inform.)
8.2.5 By the end of the eighth grade, students will demonstrate the ability to use self-generated questions, note taking, summarizing, and outlining while learning. (Generate questions, take notes, and summarize information gleaned from reference works and experts; use and document references.)

    8.3.1 By the end of the eighth grade, students will participate in group discussions by asking questions and contributing information and ideas. (Contribute knowledge and ask questions relevant to the topic discussed; use subject-related vocabulary in discussions; provide accurate directions; stay on topic or create appropriate transitions to relevant topics; practice the rules for group discussions; use discussion skills to assume leadership and participant roles.)

    8.3.2 By the end of the eighth grade, students will use multiple presentation styles for specific audiences and purposes. (Use appropriate gestures, vocabulary, pace, volume, eye-contact, and visual aids; cite resources.)

    8.4.1 By the end of the eighth grade, students will identify information gained and complete tasks through listening. (Listen to take notes and process information; follow multi-step oral directions; use listening skills in practical settings; adapt listening strategies for specific purposes.)