Grade 8 Curriculum

Humanities 8

In grade 8 Humanities, or also known as English and Social studies together at Palmer, students learn about:​

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1. Analyzing stories or text​

- identifying genres of text

- learning about literary elements and devices (similes, metaphors, juxtaposition, hyperbole, etc.)

- breaking down elements in visual learning (pictures, graphics,)

- learning about reliability, accuracy, and relevance of authors (how to identify trustworthy text and sources, as well as proving the text real with cited evidence)

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2. Picking up strategies and processes

- strategies for reading text to improve overall skills

- strategies for oral presenting and public speaking skills

- strategies for metacognitive skills (thinking and speaking skills improved by self-reflection, self-questioning, self-evaluating, etc.), basically building awareness

- building awareness

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3. The English language​

- the elements of oral speaking (tone, volume, gestures / body language, pace, facial expressions, etc)

- develop multi-paragraph essays 

- learning about the usage of English (formal, casual, informative, persuasive)

- presentation techniques (presentation should reflect oral skills, demonstrate an appropriate purpose for the audience, such as informing them of a certain topic like global warming)