Connections | English Language Arts

Grade 8 | Student Edition

Updated Edition

Product Code R7348 ( MR #068686 )

* Regional restriction: This item is only available for sale within Canada.

Price $18.99

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Connections | English Language Arts <show description>

Through close reading of engaging, high-quality texts, students learn how to analyze, evaluate, and connect textual evidence. By tying each close reading to a specific skill or strategy, the program provides comprehensive coverage of reading, writing, speaking, and listening standards.

Engaging, high-quality texts designed to stimulate analysis and discussion

an essential question focuses on critical thinking skills
classroom-tested selections of complex text
a variety of genres with a grade-appropriate balance of informational and literary texts
award-winning and notable authors
academic vocabulary is identified and used throughout

Engage students in deep, purposeful analysis of complex texts

Three directed close readings of each selection encourage students to interact with the texts in increasingly sophisticated ways using a multitude of tools and techniques.

As students move through each close reading, they develop the text-based evidence they need to respond to standards-focused activities.

Students learn to interact with texts in multiple ways:

annotate texts in ways that draw meaning and provide the foundation for their evidence and analysis
organize their thoughts and record questions through careful note taking
record evidence in response journals
compare texts and media critically throughout the chapters and units
share ideas and insights through group projects, writing, technology, partner activities, peer review, and read alouds

Each reading focuses on a specific skill

Standards-based skills development flows naturally from the selection rather than being taught in isolation.

each progressive reading of a text provides an opportunity to practice and apply a specific skill as students dig deeper into a text
new skills are carefully introduced and repeated to ensure students develop competence
units are based on common themes tied to an essential question to provide opportunities for authentic text-to-text connections
comprehensive coverage of reading, writing, language, and speaking and listening skills guarantees your students will be ready for high-stakes assessments

STUDENT EDITIONS

Organization—Four units, each with an essential question. Each chapter within a unit has a thematic focus supported by the close reading of one or more texts.
Close Reading—Each text has three reads, allowing students to move from comprehension to analysis to synthesis. Support for annotations, notes, and highlights reinforces interactions with the text.
Writing—Writing activities throughout also include narrative, argumentative, and informative writing performace tasks
Speaking and Listening—Collaborative activities encourage students to share ideas, explore contents, and listen critically to others.
Project-Based Assessments—Dozens of projects and activities to extend learning through technology, group work, art, and much more.

TEACHER EDITIONS

The wraparound Teacher Editions include extensive instructional support for before, during, and after reading; differentiation and extension acticvities; and ELL support. Planning tools include lesson plans, point-of-use standards correlations, and much more.