Text Set: Eighth

Grade Language Arts

Alayna Zaal
 ❖ SOL 8.5- The student will read and analyze a

Standards of
variety of fictional texts, literary non-fiction,
poetry, and drama

Learning ➢ a) Analyze how authors’ development of

characters, conflict, point of view, voice,
and tone convey meaning.
➢ c) Explain the development of the
theme(s).
➢ d) Explain the use of symbols and
figurative language.
➢ f) Identify and analyze characteristics
within a variety of genres.
➢ h) Compare and contrast the author's’ use
of word choice, dialogue, form, rhyme,
rhythm, and voice in different texts.
Rhyme vs. Rhythm Lexile: 700-800, grades 3-5

Annotation: this chart gives an easy to reference way

of differentiating between two concepts used in
poetry that frequently trip students up because of their
similar look, sound, and spelling. This chat gives
examples as to how each concept is different from
the other, but does make the assumption of some
prior knowledge.

Suitability: This chart would be suitable for students

ages 11+ who have already learned the basics of
poetry.
Tone and Mood Lexile: 600-700, grades 2-4 (may not be accurate due
to their only being two complete sentences.

Annotation: This is a very simple graphic that explains

the difference between tone and mood and how one
relates to the other. While this contains neither
complex ideas or words it does take an idea that
could be confusing for students and lay it out in a very
clear and simple way that they could go back and
reference at any time.

Suitability: This would be suitable for any student who

can read due to its simplicity.
March: John Lewis, Lexile: 750- 4th grade

Andrew Aydin Annotation: This graphic novel does a realistic and

relatable portrayal of the civil rights movement taking
place in the 1960’s. Reading a graphic novel helps show
students the multitude of ways authors choose to write a
story while also having them be impacted by the
illustrations that drive home the points the text makes.
Graphic novels are also good for differentiation in the
classroom because it adds a helpful layer to the story if
they don’t fully understand the text. The theme in this
novel is laid out clearly for the students and gives them a
starting point to debate the issues at hand.

Suitability: This book is suitable for students ages 9+

because even if some of the concepts may be above their
grasp students would still benefit from the illustrations
and to begin internalizing parts of US history often
overlooked.
 Lexile: 550- 3rd grade
Figurative
Annotation: This resource page gives students a great
Language cheat sheet for remembering the definitions of the
types of figurative language. It also includes examples
of anything not self explanatory and would be an easy
reference point for students to check if they were
reading and came across figurative language they could
identify but weren't sure the type of.

Suitability: This would be suitable for students ages 11+

because it would be useful from the moment they
began to learn and identify figurative language.
Theme Lexile: 900-1000, grades 4-8

Annotation: This introduction to theme would give

students a definition for the word and also examples
as to how theme may be portrayed or how they could
find it in a text. This would be very beneficial when
trying to understand a topic that was previously only
made known to them possibly in the form of ‘main
idea’ and the words are easy to mix up when students
don't grasp the nuances of the definition.

Suitability: According to the lexile score this text may

be easy for 8th graders however I think It would be
very beneficial in going over a concept students may
still struggle with. Theme is a complex topic and this
passage does a good job breaking it down.
Point of View Lexile: 900-1000, grades 4-8

Annotation: This passage gives students an easy

definition and example of both common points of
view. Students would be able to read this, look at a
passage, compare it to either type and identify it. In
addition to the types it gives an overall meaning to
help students really know what they're learning about
and/or looking for to begin with.

Suitability: This would be suitable for any reader 10+

who was struggling to understand point of view, while
some of the words are more complex, the ideas are
fairly simple.
Dialogue + Dialect Lexile: 900-1000, grades 4-8

Annotation: This gives great examples of the

differences between dialogue and dialect and explains
how authors use both to influence the readers
interpretation of the text. In the definition are direct
references that explain the example to make sure the
message is being clearly explained to readers.

Suitability: this would be suitable for students ages

10+ because of its easy to understand format, but
could be useful as a refresher to students much more
advanced and/ or older who may struggle with how to
understand why and how these two things are
different.
Genre Lexile: 1000-1100, grades 5-10

Annotation: This passage is great to explain genre

because not only does it define and explain it, but it
also gives examples of major types of genres, furthers
explaining what exactly about these texts make them
fit into a specific genre. Its create a comprehensive
chart explaining what about the characters, plot,
setting and theme relates the text back to a certain
genre. Students can gain a deep understanding of this
concept by applying exactly what this chart tells them
to other texts.

Suitability: This would be suitable for students ages

10+ who are beginning to be able to apply their
learning by being given an example and being able to
duplicate that process with a similar idea.
 I. (Ed.). (2002). Figurative Language Resource page.
Retrieved February 15, 2018, from ReadWriteThink.org

Citation Langthorp, K. (2013, September 19). Cool school stuff.

Retrieved March 14, 2018, from
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/6122149466825955/

Lewis, J., Aydin, A., & Powell, N. (2013). March.

Marietta, GA: Top Shelf Productions.

Robb, L., & Burke, J. (2002). Readers handbook: a

student guide for reading and learning. Wilmington, MA: Great
Source Education Group.

Difference Between Rhyme and Rhythm. (2016,

February 18). Retrieved March 15, 2018, from
http://pediaa.com/difference-between-rhyme-and-rhythm/