8th Grade ELA (Nebraska Standards)

Reading: Literary Text (RP)

• LA.8.RP.1 Analyze two or more themes, how they develop and how they link to supporting ideas.
• LA.8.RP.2 Analyze how events, dialogue and details shape plot, characters and meaning.
• LA.8.RP.3 Analyze how differences in the viewpoints of audience and characters create suspense, humor or irony.
• LA.8.RP.4 Compare the structures of two or more texts and their effects.
• LA.8.RP.5 Analyze how modern fiction draws on myths, folktales and religious works.
• LA.8.RP.6 Combine themes to draw conclusions about oneself and others.
• LA.8.RP.7 Analyze links and differences among perspectives across literary texts.
• LA.8.RP.8 Read and understand complex literary texts independently at the top of the grades 6–8 range.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• LA.8.RI.1 Analyze two or more central ideas, how they develop and the ideas that support them.
• LA.8.RI.2 Analyze how events, interactions and key facts add to meaning.
• LA.8.RI.3 Analyze an author's perspective or purpose and how the author deals with opposing views.
• LA.8.RI.4 Analyze how a paragraph is built and what each sentence adds.
• LA.8.RI.5 Analyze two authors who give conflicting information on the same topic.
• LA.8.RI.6 Evaluate how an argument develops and how sound its reasoning is.
• LA.8.RI.7 Link and tell apart perspectives across nonfiction texts.
• LA.8.RI.8 Read and understand complex nonfiction independently at the top of the grades 6–8 range.

Vocabulary (V)

• LA.8.V.1 Use grade-level academic words correctly across many tasks.
  • LA.8.V.1.a Use context clues to work out word meanings.
  • LA.8.V.1.b Use Greek and Latin roots and affixes to work out meanings.
  • LA.8.V.1.c Use references to check meaning, pronunciation and part of speech.
• LA.8.V.2 Interpret figurative, connotative and technical language.
  • LA.8.V.2.a Interpret figures of speech such as verbal irony and puns.
  • LA.8.V.2.b Use the relationship between particular words to understand each word better.
  • LA.8.V.2.c Tell apart the connotations of words with similar meanings.

Writing (W)

• LA.8.W.1 Write grammatically correct pieces of several paragraphs with varied structures.
  • LA.8.W.1.a Follow capitalization rules.
  • LA.8.W.1.b Use commas, dashes and ellipses to show pauses, breaks and omissions.
  • LA.8.W.1.c Use verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives.
  • LA.8.W.1.d Use active and passive voice, formal and informal tone, and verb mood.
  • LA.8.W.1.e Use parallel structure in words, phrases and clauses.
  • LA.8.W.1.f Spot and fix fragments, run-ons and shifts in tense, number, voice or mood.
• LA.8.W.2 Use a writing process that loops back on itself to develop and produce writing.
  • LA.8.W.2.a Find and use resources and inquiry tools to plan and draft.
  • LA.8.W.2.b Adapt the process for longer, more complex tasks.
  • LA.8.W.2.c Revise using feedback from adults and peers.
  • LA.8.W.2.d Edit and proofread using feedback.
  • LA.8.W.2.e Use print or digital tools to produce and publish writing.
• LA.8.W.3 Write literary pieces with suitable development and structure.
  • LA.8.W.3.a Open with a conflict or situation, introduce a narrator and keep one point of view.
  • LA.8.W.3.b Use techniques such as dialogue, pacing, description and more than one plot line.
  • LA.8.W.3.c Order events so they build into a coherent whole.
  • LA.8.W.3.d Use sensory detail and figurative language to set mood and tone.
  • LA.8.W.3.e End with a conclusion that reflects on what is still unresolved.
• LA.8.W.4 Write arguments with reasons and evidence, organized to suit the purpose.
  • LA.8.W.4.a State a clear claim and order ideas logically.
  • LA.8.W.4.b Set the claim apart from alternate or opposing claims.
  • LA.8.W.4.c Explain and cite evidence from several credible sources.
  • LA.8.W.4.d Use words and phrases that link claims and evidence.
  • LA.8.W.4.e Adapt style and tone to the task and discipline. (being checked)
  • LA.8.W.4.f End with a conclusion that supports the argument. (being checked)
• LA.8.W.5 Write informative pieces with suitable development and structure.
  • LA.8.W.5.a Set a specific focus and group ideas into categories or sections.
  • LA.8.W.5.b Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, details and examples.
  • LA.8.W.5.c Use transitions and subject-specific words to link ideas.
  • LA.8.W.5.d End with a concluding statement that follows from the explanation.
• LA.8.W.6 Gather credible evidence from several trustworthy sources and check its relevance.
  • LA.8.W.6.a Work evidence in by quoting or paraphrasing, without plagiarizing.
  • LA.8.W.6.b Judge credibility, including expertise, motive, bias and deception.
  • LA.8.W.6.c Use note-taking formats to organize information.
  • LA.8.W.6.d Use more than one source and cite sources properly.
  • LA.8.W.6.e Communicate online in safe and ethical ways.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• LA.8.SL.1 Start and take part in structured discussions on grade 8 topics.
  • LA.8.SL.1.a Ask relevant questions to build on, clarify or check ideas.
  • LA.8.SL.1.b Read spoken and unspoken cues in conversation.
  • LA.8.SL.1.c Talk inclusively with peers and adults.
  • LA.8.SL.1.d Listen actively, e.g. eye contact, notes and summaries.
  • LA.8.SL.1.e Complete tasks by following complex multi-step directions.
• LA.8.SL.2 Present claims and findings clearly with details and examples.
  • LA.8.SL.2.a Adjust speaking skills to the purpose, including when interpreting grade 8 texts.
  • LA.8.SL.2.b Share a perspective with clear reasoning and valid evidence.
  • LA.8.SL.2.c Judge the purpose of information and motives behind it, e.g. social or political.
  • LA.8.SL.2.d Use words sensitively, aware of stereotypes and multiple meanings.
  • LA.8.SL.2.e Use visual or digital tools to strengthen speaking.