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Grade 8

Alabama ELA Standard: 8.CL.1

Analyze how informational and graphic text elements, including allusions, point of view, purpose, comparisons, categories, and figurative, connotative, and technical word meanings, develop central and supporting ideas.

What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
We’re looking at inventions vs discoveries.
Gr 1, 2, 8
What’s In My Brain: Paperclip vs Straw
What’s In My Brain: Paperclip vs Straw
We’re looking at magnetic vs. non-magnetic materials.
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Lion vs Bear
What’s In My Brain: Lion vs Bear
We’re looking at carnivores vs omnivores.
Gr 1, 3, 6, 7, 8
What’s In My Brain: Guinea Pig vs Potbelly
What’s In My Brain: Guinea Pig vs Potbelly
What do guinea pigs, shooting stars, and seahorses have in common? They’re all misnomers!
Gr 1, 2, 6, 8
What’s In My Brain: Austin vs Los Angeles
What’s In My Brain: Austin vs Los Angeles
We’re looking at capital cities.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
What’s In My Brain: Italy vs Normandy
What’s In My Brain: Italy vs Normandy
We’re looking at countries vs states (and other smaller regions).
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Coral vs Water Lilies
What’s In My Brain: Coral vs Water Lilies
Let’s look at saltwater vs freshwater organisms.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
What’s In My Brain: Tree vs Tree
What’s In My Brain: Tree vs Tree
Let’s look at deciduous vs coniferous trees.
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Crocodile vs Tree Frog
What’s In My Brain: Crocodile vs Tree Frog
Is it a reptile or an amphibian?
Gr 1, 3, 6, 8
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
We’re looking at the arctic vs the antarctic.
Gr 1-8
Categorize and Re-Categorize Countries
Categorize and Re-Categorize Countries
Put these countries into groups. Then do it again. Then… do it one more time. How does re-re-grouping the same places reveal new patterns and give new insights?
Gr 1-8
Categorize and Re-Categorize Animals
Categorize and Re-Categorize Animals
Put these animals into groups. Then do it again. Then… do it one more time. How does re-re-grouping the same creatures reveal new patterns and give new insights?
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
Is it an island or an archipelago?
Gr 1, 3, 6, 8
Analyze Paragraphs: Wolverines
Analyze Paragraphs: Wolverines
Three paragraphs about wolverines. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Art Lesson: Two-Point Perspective
Art Lesson: Two-Point Perspective
Let’s get students’ art really popping with two-point perspective!
Gr 1-8
Persuasion and Packaging: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Persuasion and Packaging: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
How does a drink’s packaging affect us emotionally and logically?
Gr 4-8
Depth and Complexity: 🏛️ Big Idea
Depth and Complexity: 🏛️ Big Idea
Let’s get students thinking big and focusing on more abstract ideas.
Gr 1-8
Better Stories Part 1: The Big Idea
Better Stories Part 1: The Big Idea
We open our unit on narrative writing with a big idea: “structure increases creativity.” I show how this is true by bringing in examples from across all disciplines.
Gr 1-8