Grade 8
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Language
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Reading: Informational
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Reading: Literature
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Speaking & Listening
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Writing
Arizona ELA Standard: 8.W.3.a
Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
Chaos Makes Sense (Later)
In the moment, a chaotic event makes no sense. But later, that same event can feel like it was part of a larger story.
Holiday Emoji Story ⛷️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Holiday Emoji Story 🍪
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Holiday Emoji Story ☃️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Holiday Emoji Story 🎅
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Holiday Emoji Story 🚚
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Halloween Emoji Story 🎃
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Halloween Emoji Story 🌕
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Halloween Emoji Story 🕷️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🦁
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🐌
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🏟️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🕰️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 👁️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🚗
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🤖
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🐻
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🏰
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Emoji Stories 🛥️
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Bobbing for Apples
What is bobbing for apples like… for an apple?
Introducing Universal Theme of Conflict
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Conflict? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Writing Sample: A Christmas Carol (Cold)
A passage from White Fang to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Story Starter: A Day At School
Students use 12 random phrases to create a story that takes place at school.
Story Starter: Out To Eat
Students pick from 12 random phrases to create a story about an incident in a restaurant.
Story Starter: Amusement Park
Students use 12 random phrases to write a story that takes place in at an amusement park.
Story Starter: A Magical School
Students use 12 random phrases to create a story that takes place in at a magical school.
Writing Sample: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Falling)
A passage from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Do Narrators Have Too Much Power?
Imagine being a character in a story. Are you worried that your story’s narrator may inaccurately describe you? What if they reveal something you wanted to be kept secret? Do narrators have too much power!?
The Personalities of Rocks
What would an igneous rock be like? Would it get along with a sedimentary rock? Could they handle the hot personality of a metamorphic rock?
Game: Order and Chaos
Imagine Tic-Tac-Toe if both players could play as both Xs and Os!
Improving Presentations 3: The Storyboard and Slides
It’s time to turn that outline into a storyboard and then some actual slides.
Improving Presentations 2: Planning The Outline
After watching some great presenters, let’s outline your presentation!
Historic Social Media
How would people from history have interacted online? Students will develop a conversation online between people involved in the same event from history.
Writing Summaries in Haiku
Let’s write a summary. A very short summary. With VERY strict rules.
Better Stories Part 5: Plot Structure
Ever read a student’s story that was just event after event after event and then a very sudden ending? They lack an understanding of a plot’s structure. With the help of Finding Nemo, I break down how to set up a well-structured plot.
Better Stories Part 4: Character Archetypes
Are students’ characters a bit flat? Archetypes give them a strong foundation on which to build their own characters as well as a tool to analyze existing stories.