8th Grade ELA (Missouri Learning Standards)

Reading Literary Text (RL) – big idea 1

• 8.RL.1.A Draws conclusions and inferences from literature, citing the strongest evidence.
• 8.RL.1.B Works out word and phrase meanings, including figurative and connotative ones, using context, affixes, or references.
• 8.RL.1.C Interprets visual elements of a text and draws conclusions from them.
• 8.RL.1.D Finds a theme, analyzes how it develops, and writes an objective summary.

Reading Literary Text (RL) – big idea 2

• 8.RL.2.A Analyzes how the author's choice of form or structure adds to meaning.
• 8.RL.2.B Analyzes how gaps between what characters and readers know create dramatic irony.
• 8.RL.2.C Analyzes how word choice and sentence structure shape meaning and tone.
• 8.RL.2.D Analyzes how literary devices build setting, reveal character, and move the plot.

Reading Literary Text (RL) – big idea 3

• 8.RL.3.A Judges how far a film or stage version follows or changes the text, and why.
• 8.RL.3.B Explains how modern texts draw on archetypes or universal themes from older stories.
• 8.RL.3.C Explains how themes reflect history or culture.
• 8.RL.3.D Reads and understands stories, plays, and poems on their own and well.

Reading Informational Text (RI) – big idea 1

• 8.RI.1.A Draws conclusions and inferences from informational text, citing the strongest evidence.
• 8.RI.1.B Works out word meanings, including figurative, connotative, and subject-specific ones, using context, affixes, or references.
• 8.RI.1.C Interprets visual elements, including from other media, and draws conclusions.
• 8.RI.1.D Explains central ideas, analyzes how they develop, and writes an objective summary.

Reading Informational Text (RI) – big idea 2

• 8.RI.2.A Analyzes how the author's choice of organization adds to meaning.
• 8.RI.2.B Analyzes how an author answers conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
• 8.RI.2.C Analyzes how word choice and sentence structure shape meaning and tone.
• 8.RI.2.D Judges an argument's reasoning and evidence and notices irrelevant evidence.

Reading Informational Text (RI) – big idea 3

• 8.RI.3.A Compares information across media and how each medium's techniques add meaning.
• 8.RI.3.B Analyzes texts that disagree on a topic and pinpoints where facts or interpretations differ.
• 8.RI.3.C Explains how central ideas reflect history or culture.
• 8.RI.3.D Reads and understands informational text on their own and well.

Writing (W) – big idea 1

• 8.W.1.A.a Researches a question, including own, with credible print and digital sources and a standard citation system.
• 8.W.1.A.b Searches effectively, judges source credibility and accuracy, and quotes or paraphrases without plagiarism using a standard format.

Writing (W) – big idea 2

• 8.W.2.A.a Narrative: writes stories or poems with a steady point of view, clear characters, and well-built events.
• 8.W.2.A.b Expository: explains a topic with relevant facts and details and links ideas to evidence.
• 8.W.2.A.c Argumentative: supports a claim with reasons and evidence and responds to counterclaims.

Writing (W) – big idea 3

• 8.W.3.A.a Revises organization and content: keeps focus, concludes, and reshapes content for the purpose.
• 8.W.3.A.b Revises word choice and sentence choices to suit style, task, and audience.
• 8.W.3.A.c Edits for standard English grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• 8.W.3.A.d Uses a range of transitions to link ideas and claims and show shifts in time.
• 8.W.3.A.e Uses technology to publish writing, show how ideas relate, and collaborate.

Speaking and Listening (SL) – big idea 1

• 8.SL.1.A Follows rules for respectful discussion and decisions, tracks goals and deadlines, and sets roles.
• 8.SL.1.B Judges a speaker's reasoning and evidence and asks questions that connect several speakers' ideas.
• 8.SL.1.C Takes in new information from others and media and qualifies or justifies own views.

Speaking and Listening (SL) – big idea 2

• 8.SL.2.A Speaks audibly with clear, accurate pronunciation at an easy pace.
• 8.SL.2.B Keeps eye contact with the audience and uses effective gestures to engage them.
• 8.SL.2.C Plans and gives presentations that blend in multimedia to clarify and strengthen claims.