LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

English Language Arts — Grade 8

Goal 3: The learner will continue to refine the understanding and use of argument.

Objective 3.03. Evaluate and create arguments that persuade by:

  • understanding the importance of the engagement of audience by establishing a context, creating a persona, and otherwise developing interest.
  • noting and/or developing a controlling idea that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment.
  • arranging details, reasons, and examples effectively and persuasively.
  • anticipating and addressing reader/listener concerns and counterarguments.
  • recognizing and/or creating an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Zoo integrated unit
The unit uses the North Carolina Zoological Park as a teaching tool rather than as a nice place to visit. It can be used by a single teacher or multiple teachers of different subjects, and it is aimed at 7th and 8th graders.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)
By Craig Smith.
The Lumbee: Who are they?
In Teaching about North Carolina American Indians, page 2.6
Introduction This activity for middle school grades allows students to survey the various theories concerning the ancestry of the Lumbee. Students will read and analyze four threads that seek to chronicle the ancestry of North Carolina’s largest...
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
By Gazelia Carter.
Is no man an island?
This unit is designed to encourage thinking about our connectedness to and responsibilities toward others. Materials in this unit are used to demonstrate humankind's need to refute an impersonal natural order.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts)
By Jewell Kendrick.
The case of the disappearing pitcher plants
This lesson addresses the cause and effect relationship between human interaction and a North Carolina endangered plant species. A role-playing scenario allows students to view the situation from a variety of positions and to collectively arrive at a solution to the problem.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science)
By Eddie Hamblin.

Resources on the web

Why preserve biodiversity?
In this lesson from the National Geographic Xpeditions website, students discuss the importance of maintaining ecosystems and find out about the various arguments that people make in favor of preserving the Earth's biodiversity. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Science)
Provided by: Xpeditions
The penny problem
In this lesson from EconEdLink, students explore possibilities for “phasing out” the penny from the United States money supply. This lesson incorporates links to a variety of web resources. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: EconEdLink
Literary characters on trial: Combining persuasion and literary analysis
In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students read a work of literature as a class then brainstorm “crimes” committed by characters from that text. Groups of students work together to act as the prosecution or defense for the selected characters,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Book report alternative: A character's letter to the editor
This lesson that focuses on Carl Hiaasen’s Newbery Honor Book Hoot, includes an exploration of the genre of letters to the editor, a review of persuasive writing structure and letter format, and an emphasis on multi-draft... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink