Grade 8 Language (English)
Overview of Grade 8 Language (English)
Overview (Updated 2023)
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: Language, 2023 is based on the belief that all students can succeed by developing language and literacy knowledge and skills. Strong foundational skills in both oral and written language are essential for supporting more complex skills like critical thinking and problem solving. This curriculum offers educators a comprehensive guide to fostering the development and growth of these vital skills in every student.
In Grade 8 Language, students focus on using the seven transferable skills in language and literacy, developing digital media literacy, applying their language and literacy knowledge in various contexts, and engaging with texts that promote understanding of diverse identities, experiences, perspectives, histories, and contributions. Across all elementary grades in the language program, learning in this area is integrated with the study of Foundations of Language, Comprehension (understanding and responding to texts), and Composition (expressing ideas and creating texts). Literacy Connections and Applications should be assessed and evaluated within these contexts. The content learned in Grade 8 Language establishes the foundation for students entering their first year of high school and Grade 9 English.
2023 Grades 1-8 Language Update
The language curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 was updated, and teachers began teaching the revised curriculum in September 2023. This revision was part of Ontario’s initiative to modernize the education curriculum, ensuring that all students developed the foundational and transferable skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing world, with a focus on early reading interventions. The previous update to Ontario’s elementary language curriculum had been in 2006.
Sources:
https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/curriculum/elementary-language/grades/grade-8/home
Grade 8 Language Ontario Curriculum Breakdown (Updated 2023)
Students utilize transferable skills in reading, listening, viewing, writing, and speaking across diverse cultural, social, and linguistic contexts. They learn to articulate their online rights and responsibilities, make informed decisions to enhance their digital identity and reputation, and positively contribute to online communities. Additionally, they demonstrate an understanding of the historical contexts, contributions, lived experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals and communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, by analyzing culturally relevant texts.
This knowledge is integrated into the other three areas of the curriculum.
Students assess and apply listening skills and strategies to enhance comprehension and analyze the purpose and audience for speaking. They identify and employ oral and non-verbal communication strategies, including culturally specific variations, and use precise and descriptive word choice, syntax, and grammar in both formal and informal communication. They leverage their knowledge of word meanings for reading and spelling, and apply their understanding of sentence types, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation in reading and writing.
Students analyze and evaluate a range of literary and informational texts, including cultural forms, explaining how their characteristics convey meaning. They examine how visuals like images and graphics contribute to meaning. They analyze elements of style and literary devices, explaining their role in communication. They use comprehension strategies and critical thinking skills to deepen their understanding of diverse perspectives and cultural elements in texts, drawing conclusions. Finally, they assess the effectiveness of their critical thinking skills in text analysis and set goals for improvement.
Students maintain fluency in cursive writing and use advanced word-processing skills to create texts. They generate and develop ideas on challenging topics, synthesizing information and content. They produce complex texts in various forms and genres, establishing a distinct voice and employing varied language, stylistic elements, and tone. They revise and edit their work to enhance accuracy and style, using a variety of techniques and tools, including digital design and production tools, to produce final texts. They publish and present their texts using diverse media and tools.
York Region Tutoring Provides
If a student is approaching a forthcoming test, we can provide them with a previous test to be completed at home before their upcoming session. Subsequently, during their next class, just before the exam, they can review the test with their tutor. These tests are exclusively sourced from high schools in York Region and other areas in Ontario, serving as the definitive benchmark for students to assess their readiness.
York Region Tutors and are equipped with drawing tablets making collaboration simple, efficient and effective. We also offer drawing tablets at a discount for purchase to students who really take to the functionality of the product.
At the parents’ request, following each tutoring session, our tutors can assign homework tailored to address weaknesses and reinforce strengths in students. Additionally, we incorporate homework questions directly extracted from previous tests and quizzes administered by YRDSB school teachers, allowing students to familiarize themselves with potential test questions.