English Language Arts, Grade 8

Reflecting on others' contributions in discussion

I can consider and reflect upon the contribution of others' ideas during discussions.

Asking questions that probe for accuracy and validity

I can ask questions that probe for accuracy, relevancy, and validity, and respond thoughtfully.

Stating a point of view convincingly with relevant support

I can state a point of view in a convincing manner, offering relevant information to support it.

Listening to identify key points and evaluate details

I can listen carefully to identify key points in presentations and evaluate the relevancy of supporting details.

Choosing appropriate strategies for effective talk

I can contribute to discussion by choosing appropriate strategies for effective talk.

Adapting communication choices to purposes and audiences

I can adapt communication choices to meet the needs of different purposes and audiences.

Giving instructions and responding appropriately

I can give instructions and respond appropriately to instructions, directions, and questions.

Evaluating talk and the effects of verbal and non-verbal language

I can evaluate the effectiveness of my own and others' talk and consider the effects of verbal and non-verbal language.

Demonstrating active speaking and listening skills

I can demonstrate active speaking and listening skills, extending and refining points with increasing skill.

Expressing opinions with sensitivity to others

I can express personal opinions in effective, sensitive ways that respect differences in culture and language.

Recognizing how spoken language influences and manipulates

I can recognize how spoken language reveals values and attitudes and analyse how it influences and manipulates.

Matching speaking conventions to different situations

I can recognize and apply speaking and listening conventions appropriate to different situations.

Selecting texts for learning needs and special interests

I can select texts that address my learning needs and range of special interests with confidence.

Reading widely across young adult fiction and literature

I can read widely and experience young adult fiction and literature from different provinces and countries.

Explaining how authors use organizational devices

I can explain how authors use organizational devices to achieve purposes and rely on them to construct meaning.

Reading with greater fluency, confidence, and comprehension

I can read with greater fluency, confidence, and comprehension in increasingly complex texts.

Identifying reading processes and reflecting on growth

I can regularly identify my reading processes and reflect on my growth to push my reading further.

Accessing sources with increasing independence and confidence

I can access print and non-print sources independently and select information with increasing speed, accuracy, and confidence.

Relying on a range of print and non-print sources

I can experiment with and rely upon a range of print and non-print sources to access and select information.

Employing relevant research strategies

I can employ relevant research strategies such as generating questions, drafting an outline, or interviewing peers.

Elaborating personal reactions with explanations and arguments

I can elaborate personal reactions by providing extended explanations, examples, and supporting arguments.

Stating and justifying personal points of view

I can state personal points of view about texts and justify them with increasing regularity.

Finding evidence to support claims with confidence and flexibility

I can find evidence in texts to support personal claims with increasing confidence and flexibility.

Assessing texts for bias and thinking critically about reliability

I can assess texts for bias and think critically about the relevance and reliability of information.

Identifying features writers use for specific readers and purposes

I can identify the features writers use for specific readers and purposes and describe how texts are organized to meet readers' needs.

Responding critically to the form, structure, and content of texts

I can respond critically to complex texts by analysing and evaluating form, structure, and content, and how values shape meaning.

Using writing strategies competently to extend learning

I can competently use writing strategies to extend learning, reflect on values, and describe logical solutions.

Reflecting on effective strategies and personal growth

I can identify and reflect on strategies that help me learn and describe my growth as a language learner and user.

Using various forms of note-making for purposes and situations

I can begin to use various forms of note-making appropriate to different purposes and situations.

Integrating interesting effects in imaginative writing

I can integrate interesting effects in imaginative writing, knowing how and when to add thoughts, feelings, and rich detail.

Developing and expanding writing forms

I can develop writing forms I know and expand my range to new forms like autobiographies, literary responses, and reviews.

Choosing writing forms that match purpose and reader

I can consider and choose writing forms that match both the purpose and the intended reader.

Representing ideas with other forms

I can represent ideas in more than one way using forms like speeches, demonstrations, and plays.

Keeping reader and purpose in mind when writing

I can keep the reader and purpose in mind when choosing content, style, tone, language, and organization.

Asking for and incorporating reader feedback

I can ask for reader feedback at the right time, incorporate appropriate suggestions, and assess my drafts from a reader's point of view.

Using spelling, punctuation, and grammar capably

I can rely on a broad spelling knowledge base, use punctuation and grammar capably and accurately, and vary sentence patterns to engage readers.

Choosing writing process strategies with increasing regularity

I can choose, with increasing regularity, the writing process strategies that best produce various texts.

Using various communication technologies

I can attempt to use various technologies to communicate with a variety of audiences for a range of purposes.

Committing to crafting pieces of writing

I can demonstrate a sustained commitment to crafting my pieces of writing and representations.

Gathering and integrating information from a variety of sources

I can gather information from a variety of sources and integrate ideas in my communication.