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Dawood Public School

Course Outline for 2012-2013
English Language
Class VIII

Text Books:

1) Oxford Progressive English Book 8

2) About Literature – Volume 1

Aims:

Comprehension:
• To provide a greater understanding of the features and thematic concerns of the text.
• To understand the meaning and interpretations of text.
• To make them familiar to the different techniques of comprehensions, through skimming, scanning, inference and
deduction.
• To read and infer the text between and beyond the lines.
• To formulate answers in their own words using correct grammar and punctuation.

Vocabulary:
• To infer vocabulary used in a given context.
• To use thesaurus to choose more effective words.
• To make use of vocabulary words in a particular context.
• To make the words learnt as a part of active vocabulary in everyday speech.

Grammar:
• To familiarize with the way English language is used in everyday settings.
• To make them use correct grammatical expressions in written and verbal communications.
• To encourage the students to use an integrated approach.
• To make them know how to use the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of a language.

Composition:
• To encourage students to the application of critical and creative thinking skills.
• To make students explore different areas of study including; Characterisation, Theme, Setting and Atmosphere in
different writings.
• To write a cohesive composition sustaining the interest of the reader.

Scheme of Assessment:

• Two monthly tests of 20 marks each will be conducted in each term.

• Class test with varied marking scheme will be conducted through the session.
• Worksheets and written assignments will be carried according to the concept learning and reinforcement.
• Group presentations and project work will be assigned throughout the session.
• Mid- term and Annual Examination containing 100 marks each will be conducted at the end of each session.

Assessment Objectives:

• To monitor learning and teaching on a day- to- day basis.

• To measure the level of students understanding for different text and passages.
• To understand, discuss and explore concepts and issues relating to language in use.
• To assess the students writing proficiency through assigned writing activities.
• To identify learning difficulties to enable appropriate remedial help to be given.

Monthly Syllabus Breakdown

Month : August

Oxford Progressive English Book 8

Comprehension: Unit 1: Great Inventions? Page 2

The Race by Clive James Page 17- 21

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Learning Objectives:

• Understand the text and vocabulary used in Autobiographies.

• Develop an understanding of literal meanings and interpret the text.
• Appreciate the use of exaggerating expressions and humor to achieve a range of effects.

Paragraph Writing:

Organization and Development of a Paragraph (Topic,Supporting and Concluding Sentence)

1. Poor paragraph
2. Casual paragraph
3. Good paragraph

Learning Objectives:

• Organization of a paragraph working from an opening sentence.

• Difference in Poor, casual and a good paragraph.
• Organize a non chronological description.
• Write a cohesive, grammatically correct paragraph sustaining the interest of the reader.

Vocabulary: Synonyms/Antonyms Page 23

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between use of synonyms and antonyms

• Use and replace words with similar and opposite meaning for a given word.

Creative Writing: “Inventions of the twenty first century” Page 26

Learning Objectives:

• Organize and express their ideas, opinions and facts in a creative writing task.
• Produce a grammatically correct composition using effective vocabulary.
• Write a cohesive composition sustaining the interest of the reader.

About Literature Volume 1:

Characterisation : Unit 1 Page 48 - 52

Pre-Reading Activity 1 Page 48

Post- Reading Activity 5 Page 55

Learning Objectives:

• Personal experience and feelings in a particular situation.

• Exploring characters in a story.
• Making observations about a character through evidences provided in the given text.

Further Reading:
Adventures of Huckle Berry Finn

Month: September

Comprehension: Unit 2: Horses Page 28

Winter Journey by Eugenie Fraser Page 42 - 45

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the text and vocabulary used in Biographies.

• Develop an understanding of literal meanings and interpret the text.
• Identify and understand words and expressions used in a different society.

Vocabulary: Metaphors and Similes Page 46

Learning Objectives:
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• Use of literal and metaphorical meanings.

• Identify and interpret the phrase as a simile or a metaphor.

Language: “Using Prepositions” Page 39 - 41

Learning Objectives:

• Extended range of Prepositions

• Use of appropriate preposition in a given text.
• Use of Prepositions in a self created prose.

Summary Writing: “The Wonderful Horse” A thirteenth Century Persian Tale Page 35 - 36

Learning Objectives:

• Read and comprehend the passage.

• Summarize the passage using the main idea.
• Write and edit the summarized passage.
• Write a story titled “The Trick” using the elements of the passage.

Comprehension: Unit 3: Mysteries Page 54

Daud’s Ride: A True Story Page 75- 78

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the text and vocabulary used in a true story.

• Develop an understanding of expressions and interpret the text.
• Comprehend the text to follow up questions.

Vocabulary: Words in use Page 66 - 67

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret word used as an adverb and an adjective.

• Use of words in a specified situation.

Language: “Conjunctive Adverbs” Page 79 - 81

Learning Objectives:

• Extend experiments with language.

• Use of words to connect ideas and narratives.
• Use of Punctuations followed by the conjunctive.

About Literature Volume 1:

Plot and Structure: Unit 2 Page 56-68

Pre-Reading Activity 2 Page 66

Learning Objectives:

• Exploring typical plot and structure of a story following the sequence.

• Chronological order of sentences to show how the action builds up in a story.

Further Reading
Jane Eyre

Month: October

Comprehension: Unit 4: Conflict Page 82

“Shahrazad’s Leopard” Page 90 - 94

Learning Objectives:
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• Read and comprehend the text and vocabulary used in a fiction story.
• Develop an understanding of expressing opinions and resolving conflicts.
• Use of text and imaginations to interpret and organize the text.

Creative Writing: “Children today aren’t like they were in our day….”

Learning Objectives:

• Research through different sources (media, internet and interview)

• Organize and express their ideas, opinions in a creative writing task
• Produce a grammatically correct composition using effective vocabulary
• Write a cohesive composition sustaining the interest of the reader

Vocabulary: “Prefixes” Page 101 - 102

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret the base word used as a prefix.

• Replace the word by adding a suitable prefix.

Letter Writing: “Letter to the Editor” Page 103 - 104

Learning Objectives:

• Read and comprehend the text.

• Understand the format used in letter writing.
• To plan and organize a letter to the editor using conditional tense - Page 106 – 107.

Language: “Conditional Sentences” Page 105 - 106

Learning Objectives:

• Use of appropriate tense in conditional sentences.

• Use of singular and plural forms in conditional sentences.

Comprehension: Unit 5: Railways Page 112

“Lost in the snow” Page 118 - 125

Learning Objectives:

• Read and comprehend the text and vocabulary of a non-fiction account.

• Develop an understanding of moral standards.
• Identify and understand words and expressions in use.
• Prepare a newspaper account as an experienced passenger.

Story Writing: “Finishing a Story” Page 117 - 118

Learning Objectives:

• Read the beginning of the story.

• Write an imaginative and satisfying end to the story.
• Use interesting, vivid and lively expressions.

About Literature Volume 1:

Humour in Writing: Unit 4 Page 81 - 87

Pre-Reading Activity 2 Page 86

Post-Reading Activity 4 Page 87

Learning Objectives:

• Exploring humor in writing a funny story through certain techniques.

• Identifying the effect of change in the story against the reader’s expectations.
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• Prepare a newspaper report using important facts of the situation.

Further Reading
Gulliver’s Travel

Month: November

Comprehension: Unit 6: Food

“The tribe that survives on chocolate” Page 152 - 155

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the text and vocabulary used in a magazine article.

• Use of a variety of vocabulary with additional use of specialized words.
• Selecting and interpreting details from the text.

Speaking and listening: “Being a storyteller” Page 148 Group A

“Making an elixir” Page 150 Group B

Learning Objectives:
• To encourage group work, sharing, respecting and appreciating ideas.
• To encourage narrative skills.
• To encourage discussion of values.

Creative Writing: “Story to entertain” Page 148

“Recipe for the elixir of life” Page 151

Learning Objectives:

• Utilise the ideas of a good story in a group to prepare a similar story.

• To understand and express main points.
• To use imagination and to organise and set out material.
• Prepare an interesting, imaginative account.

Language: “Pronouns” Page 156 – 158

(Reflexive, Emphatic, Reciprocal and Indefinite)

Learning Objectives:

• Extended range of Pronouns.

• Use of appropriate type Pronoun in a given sentence.
• Identify the pronoun used in a sentence.

About Literature Volume 1:

Setting and Atmosphere: Unit 5 Page 88 - 97

Pre-Reading Activity 1 Page 88

Activity 3 Page 95
Post-Reading Activity 4 Page 96

Learning Objectives:

• Creating an outline of a story in a given setting.

• Exploring setting and atmosphere to create a mood or situation.
• Create an atmosphere and setting to describe a given situation.

• Revision for Mid Term Examination

Further Reading
The Good Earth

Month: December
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• Mid Term Examination

Activities for the Session:

• Pre Reading and Post Reading Quiz

• Vocabulary Builder
• Crossword Puzzles
• Daily Writing Prompts
• Story Telling
• Role Play
• Elocution
• Group Discussions

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