Welcome!
Welcome to our class page for Eighth Grade Pre-AP Reading! This site will contain information about this class in general and information specific to each unit we will study this year. Below is the course description and a year overview for this class. In the tabs above you will find links to pages explaining our school and community and pages for each unit of study.
Course Description
8th
Grade Pre-AP Reading
This year-long course will examine a range of literary and artistic expression through thematic units. Students will identify the elements of literature and use their reading to compare and contrast works through various writing activities. Students will also identify and analyze main idea, theme, and author’s purpose in a variety of texts and genres. By studying oral communication skills, students will grow to recognize the interdependence of oral language, literature, and written language in a context of social and cultural expression. Because this is a Pre-AP course, students will be reading texts of greater complexity and must be proficient high or above in reading to enroll in this class.
This class will meet fourth period, every day for 50 minutes. Eighth grade students split each day with five core classes (math, science, reading, writing and social studies) followed by electives. They follow a departmental model which allows for more rigorous courses and heightened expectations of individual student responsibility in transition to high school. Classroom demographics reflect those of the larger school.
From http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Schools/ThunderRidge/Documents/2013-14COS8th.pdf
This year-long course will examine a range of literary and artistic expression through thematic units. Students will identify the elements of literature and use their reading to compare and contrast works through various writing activities. Students will also identify and analyze main idea, theme, and author’s purpose in a variety of texts and genres. By studying oral communication skills, students will grow to recognize the interdependence of oral language, literature, and written language in a context of social and cultural expression. Because this is a Pre-AP course, students will be reading texts of greater complexity and must be proficient high or above in reading to enroll in this class.
This class will meet fourth period, every day for 50 minutes. Eighth grade students split each day with five core classes (math, science, reading, writing and social studies) followed by electives. They follow a departmental model which allows for more rigorous courses and heightened expectations of individual student responsibility in transition to high school. Classroom demographics reflect those of the larger school.
From http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Schools/ThunderRidge/Documents/2013-14COS8th.pdf
Year Overview
Overarching Concept: Power structures in our world
This year students will learn about how power structures function. Students will view how power is dispelled in their world, their community, and in their everyday lives. Specifically, this course will have students consider how to define power, who has power, and how power is gained, maintained, and exerted. This course will be divided into eight smaller units which will each focus on a specific facet of how power works. We will study eight different social constructions which shape how we understand power. We will study a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, in addition to poetry, music, and art. Students will learn about historical explorations of power, current manifestations of power, and read futuristic warnings. By studying power through these different lenses, students will be able to navigate power structure which they face daily and will face in the future. It is my hope that this course will give students insight into how power works, thereby helping them overcome injustice due to power in their own lives.
Overarching Questions: How is power defined? Who has power and how do they gain it? How is power maintained and exerted?
Unit Outline
Fall Semester: 16 weeks
Introducing Power: Week 1-3
This is an introductory unit which will lay out the expectations for students and the routine for the rest of the year. Students will work on getting to know one another, learn how to use our class blog, and begin discussing how power is displayed in their own lives. Power through Culture: Week 4-7
In this unit, students will be working with a graphic novel to understand how power works through culture. They will learn about mythology and legends, how to analyze graphic novels, and even create their own comic.
Power through Race: Week 8-11
This unit is designed to give students insight into racial issues of the 1930's. Students will track character development, participate in a mock trial, and examine a variety of different genres of texts.
Power through Money: Week 12-16
Through this unit students will study how monetary means and socioeconomic statuses can influence power. They will participate in a representational game of Monopoly, study character development and theme over the course of the novel, and be given their first student choice assignment.
Spring Semester: 19 weeks
Power through Words : Week 1-5
In this unit students will study the role that words played in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. Students will complete research on Nazi Germany, study figurative language, and complete a second student choice assignment.
Power through Gender: Week 6-9
Students will be studying Shakespeare in this unit and examining the gender roles which men and women have been expected to fulfill throughout history. They will play with different genres, learn to use the Oxford English Dictionary, and create a historical timeline of gender expectations.
Power through Media: Week 10-13
This unit will help students examine how media, including advertisements and social media, impact our lives. Students will consider the role technology plays in their own lives, examine advertisements, and research how technology effects the environment.
Power through Fear: Week 14-19
In our final unit students will form book clubs to see how fear controls people in either The Hunger Games or Ender's Game. They will learn about the Hero's Journey, study how characters react emotionally to fear, and complete a final student choice project.
This year students will learn about how power structures function. Students will view how power is dispelled in their world, their community, and in their everyday lives. Specifically, this course will have students consider how to define power, who has power, and how power is gained, maintained, and exerted. This course will be divided into eight smaller units which will each focus on a specific facet of how power works. We will study eight different social constructions which shape how we understand power. We will study a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, in addition to poetry, music, and art. Students will learn about historical explorations of power, current manifestations of power, and read futuristic warnings. By studying power through these different lenses, students will be able to navigate power structure which they face daily and will face in the future. It is my hope that this course will give students insight into how power works, thereby helping them overcome injustice due to power in their own lives.
Overarching Questions: How is power defined? Who has power and how do they gain it? How is power maintained and exerted?
Unit Outline
Fall Semester: 16 weeks
Introducing Power: Week 1-3
This is an introductory unit which will lay out the expectations for students and the routine for the rest of the year. Students will work on getting to know one another, learn how to use our class blog, and begin discussing how power is displayed in their own lives. Power through Culture: Week 4-7
In this unit, students will be working with a graphic novel to understand how power works through culture. They will learn about mythology and legends, how to analyze graphic novels, and even create their own comic.
Power through Race: Week 8-11
This unit is designed to give students insight into racial issues of the 1930's. Students will track character development, participate in a mock trial, and examine a variety of different genres of texts.
Power through Money: Week 12-16
Through this unit students will study how monetary means and socioeconomic statuses can influence power. They will participate in a representational game of Monopoly, study character development and theme over the course of the novel, and be given their first student choice assignment.
Spring Semester: 19 weeks
Power through Words : Week 1-5
In this unit students will study the role that words played in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. Students will complete research on Nazi Germany, study figurative language, and complete a second student choice assignment.
Power through Gender: Week 6-9
Students will be studying Shakespeare in this unit and examining the gender roles which men and women have been expected to fulfill throughout history. They will play with different genres, learn to use the Oxford English Dictionary, and create a historical timeline of gender expectations.
Power through Media: Week 10-13
This unit will help students examine how media, including advertisements and social media, impact our lives. Students will consider the role technology plays in their own lives, examine advertisements, and research how technology effects the environment.
Power through Fear: Week 14-19
In our final unit students will form book clubs to see how fear controls people in either The Hunger Games or Ender's Game. They will learn about the Hero's Journey, study how characters react emotionally to fear, and complete a final student choice project.