Missouri Learning Standards 8th Grade ELA Activities
Printable Eighth Grade English Language Arts Worksheets and Study Guides.
CapitalizationWhich Words Should Be Capitalized? In English, there are very specific rules for capitalizing words. The following categories of words should always be capitalized: Languages: French; Races: Native Americans; Nationalities: Spanish; School: Subjects Math II; Brand Names: Coca Cola; Ships: Titanic; Books: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen; Newspapers: New York Times; Magazines: Newsweek; Songs: The Star-Spangled Banner; Movies: King Kong; Abbreviations: A.M. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1 Modifiers-AdverbsWhat is an Adverb? A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb is called an adverb. Modify means to change. Since adverbs change the meanings of verbs and adjectives, adverbs are also called modifiers. Adverbs answer the questions: How? When? Where? or To What Extent? Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and InterjectionsWhat is a Preposition? A preposition is a connective that shows a relationship between the noun or pronoun following the preposition and another word in the sentence. What is a Conjunction? A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or simple sentences. What is an Interjection? An interjection is a word or group of words that expresses strong feelings. Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1 PunctuationWhat are Punctuation Marks? Punctuation marks are symbols to help readers understand how to read sentences. Examples: Period-ending marks, abbreviations; Question mark-ending marks; Exclamation point-ending marks; Comma-separating items or words, direct address, dates; Semicolon-joining two parts of a compound sentence; Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1 UsageThe way in which the English language is used is known as usage. To speak and
write our language properly, certain rules must be followed. Some Usage Guidelines for English:<br/>
Who and whom. Who is a subject. Whom is an object. Who went to the nurse's office? You expect to go to the dance with whom? Read more...iWorksheets: 4Study Guides: 1 Adding New Words to Our LanguageFreeOne way that words are added to our language is by word borrowing. Words are "borrowed" from other countries and from other languages. Examples: Tomahawk is the Native American word for a kind of weapon, Spaghetti is a word that came from Italy, Taco is a word that came from Mexico. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1 Reading RateWhat is Reading Rate? Reading rate is the speed at which a person reads a particular text. A person needs to determine the purpose for reading before he/she chooses a reading rate. Purposes of Reading: Scanning - reading to find a specific fact or detail; Skimming - reading to get an overview of the text; Reading for comprehension - demands careful, thoughtful reading from the student, and rereading may be required. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1 Gerunds, Infinitives, and ParticiplesWhat is a Gerund? A gerund is a verb that is used as a noun. A gerund is formed by adding -ing to the present form of a verb. What is an Infinitive? An infinitive is a verb that is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The word to is known as the sign of the infinitive. What is a Participle? A participle is a verb that is used as an adjective. The two types of participles are present participles and past participles. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1 Library SkillsWhat Can Be Found in a Library? Books, almanacs, atlases, magazines, newspapers, dictionaries, and encyclopedias can be found in a library/media center. Most libraries are divided into areas, called sections: The Stacks: fiction and nonfiction books; Periodicals: magazines and newspapers; Reference, encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and almanacs; Catalog: online catalog or card catalog drawers. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1 Reading-Structural AnalysisWhat is Structural Analysis in Reading? In order to derive the meanings of words, it is helpful to analyze the structure of the words in English: Is there a Latin or a Greek root word? Is the word a base word that can stand alone? Are there prefixes and suffixes added to the base word? What are the meanings of the affixes added to the base word? Is the word a shortened form of a longer word? Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1 Compound and Complex SentencesTwo or more sentences joined together are known as a compound sentence. The simple sentences in a compound sentence can be joined together with a comma and a conjunction, or with a semicolon. A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought. Subordinate clauses are either adjective clauses or adverb clauses. Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1 Regular and Irregular VerbsWhat is a Verb? A verb is the "action" or "being" part of the predicate of a sentence. The different forms of a verb are called tenses and express present, past, and future times. The principal parts of a verb are: the infinitive, the present participle, the past tense, and the past participle. Regular verbs form their past tenses by adding -d or -ed to the infinitive. Irregular verbs form their past tenses in a different way. Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1 SentencesWhat is a Sentence? A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. A sentence must contain a subject and a predicate. An incomplete sentence is known as a sentence fragment. Two or more sentences written together are known as a run-on sentence. Read more...iWorksheets: 4Study Guides: 1 Using ReferencesWhat is a Reference? A reference is a book or an online source where a student can find facts. Examples: Encyclopedia, Atlas, Dictionary, Thesaurus, Almanac, Magazine, Pamphlet, Catalog. What reference is the Guinness Book of World Records? Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1 MO.RL. Reading Literary Text
RL.1. Comprehend and Interpret Texts (Approaching Texts as a Reader)
RL.1.A. Evidence/Inference
8.RL.1.A. Draw conclusions, infer and analyze by citing the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Thinking SkillsWhat are Thinking Skills? Thinking skills are reading tools used to better comprehend the text. Examples: Analysis-separating the text into its parts; Classifying-arranging information into categories; Comparing and Contrasting-finding likenesses and differences between items; Drawing Conclusions-coming to a decision based on the text. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RL.1.B. Word Meanings
8.RL.1.B. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings using context, affixes, or reference materials.
Figurative Language FreeLiteral language uses words exactly according to their conventionally accepted meanings. Figurative use of language is the use of words or phrases that implies a non-literal meaning which does make sense. When authors use figurative language, they use similes, metaphors, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification and idioms to make their writing more descriptive. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1 Narrative TextWhat is Narrative Writing? Writing that tells a story is known as narrative writing. A narrative that tells a story based on imagined events is known as a fictional narrative. The characters, setting, and plot make up the elements of a story. Characters-the people involved in the plot of a narrative. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Vocabulary What Is Vocabulary? Vocabulary refers to a collection of words. Our English vocabulary developed in a variety of ways: Names of people and places provide some English words. Rudolf Diesel invented an engine that is named after him. The first letters of words, called acronyms, provide new words for our language. Shortened words provide some new English words. The word hamburger provides the shortened word burger. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Reading-Figurative LanguageFigurative language is the opposite of literal language. The writer uses techniques like repetition, exaggeration, alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia, similes, and metaphors to create images in the reader's mind. Using a sound, word, or phrase more than once is known as repetition. When a writer intentionally stretches the truth, he/she is using exaggeration. When a writer repeats a consonant sound at the beginning of several words in a row, he/she is using alliteration. Poems are divided into groups of lines called stanzas. Words that end with the same sound are called rhyming words. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RL.1.C. Text Features
8.RL.1.C. Interpret visual elements of a text and draw conclusions from them (when applicable).
Reading GraphicsWhat Is a Graphic? A visual aid that helps the reader understand information more easily is known as a graphic. Examples: Graphs-circle graphs, bar graphs, line graphs, picture graphs, Time lines, Illustrations, Photographs, Charts, Diagrams,
Political cartoons, Maps. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Text FeaturesWhat are Text Features? The elements of a textbook that are useful in helping to understand the content of the book are called the text features. An effective reader uses the text features to preview the textbook before beginning to read: The title page contains the title of the book, the author, the publisher, and the place where the book was published. The glossary contains the definitions of words from the textbook. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1 RL.1.D. Summarize/Theme
8.RL.1.D. Using appropriate text, determine the theme(s) of a text and analyze its development over the course of a text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Narrative TextWhat is Narrative Writing? Writing that tells a story is known as narrative writing. A narrative that tells a story based on imagined events is known as a fictional narrative. The characters, setting, and plot make up the elements of a story. Characters-the people involved in the plot of a narrative. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RL.2. Analyze Craft and Structure (Approaching Texts as a Writer)
RL.2.A. Structure
8.RL.2.A. Analyze how an author's choice concerning a text's form or overall structure contributes to meaning.
Titles and AuthorsA student searching for a terrific book may want to try a book that has won a Newbery Medal. The Newbery Medal has been presented yearly since 1922 to the author
of the most outstanding book written for children in the United States in the preceding year. The winning author must be either a citizen or a resident of the United States of America. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RL.2.C. Craft and Meaning
8.RL.2.C. Analyze how specific word choices and sentence structures contribute to meaning and tone.
Narrative TextWhat is Narrative Writing? Writing that tells a story is known as narrative writing. A narrative that tells a story based on imagined events is known as a fictional narrative. The characters, setting, and plot make up the elements of a story. Characters-the people involved in the plot of a narrative. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RL.2.D. Interaction and Meaning
8.RL.2.D. Analyze how literary devices are used to develop setting, reveal character, advance the plot and contribute to meaning.
Narrative TextWhat is Narrative Writing? Writing that tells a story is known as narrative writing. A narrative that tells a story based on imagined events is known as a fictional narrative. The characters, setting, and plot make up the elements of a story. Characters-the people involved in the plot of a narrative. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RL.3. Synthesize Ideas from Multiple Texts (Approaching Texts as a Researcher)
RL.3.D. Comprehension
8.RL.3.D. Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas and poems, independently and proficiently.
Reading ProcessWhat Is the Reading Process? The steps a student follows in reading effectively are called the reading process. The step in the reading process when a student looks over the selection is. Certain genres of literature need to be read more than once. This step in the reading process is called rereading. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Reading-DramaDrama is a genre that uses dialogue to tell a story. The elements of drama are: characters, setting, plot and theme. A list of characters in the play is called the cast. The place and time of the play is known as the setting. The main events in the play make up the plot. The main idea of the play is called the theme. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Thinking SkillsWhat are Thinking Skills? Thinking skills are reading tools used to better comprehend the text. Examples: Analysis-separating the text into its parts; Classifying-arranging information into categories; Comparing and Contrasting-finding likenesses and differences between items; Drawing Conclusions-coming to a decision based on the text. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 MO.RI. Reading Informational Text
RI.1. Comprehend and Interpret Texts (Approaching Texts as a Reader)
RI.1.A. Evidence/Inference
8.RI.1.A. Draw conclusions, infer and analyze by citing the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Thinking SkillsWhat are Thinking Skills? Thinking skills are reading tools used to better comprehend the text. Examples: Analysis-separating the text into its parts; Classifying-arranging information into categories; Comparing and Contrasting-finding likenesses and differences between items; Drawing Conclusions-coming to a decision based on the text. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RI.1.B. Word Meanings
8.RI.1.B. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative, connotative, and content-specific meanings using context, affixes, or reference materials.
Vocabulary What Is Vocabulary? Vocabulary refers to a collection of words. Our English vocabulary developed in a variety of ways: Names of people and places provide some English words. Rudolf Diesel invented an engine that is named after him. The first letters of words, called acronyms, provide new words for our language. Shortened words provide some new English words. The word hamburger provides the shortened word burger. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RI.1.C. Text Features
8.RI.1.C. Interpret visual elements of a text including those from different media and draw conclusions from them (when applicable).
Reading GraphicsWhat Is a Graphic? A visual aid that helps the reader understand information more easily is known as a graphic. Examples: Graphs-circle graphs, bar graphs, line graphs, picture graphs, Time lines, Illustrations, Photographs, Charts, Diagrams,
Political cartoons, Maps. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Text FeaturesWhat are Text Features? The elements of a textbook that are useful in helping to understand the content of the book are called the text features. An effective reader uses the text features to preview the textbook before beginning to read: The title page contains the title of the book, the author, the publisher, and the place where the book was published. The glossary contains the definitions of words from the textbook. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1 RI.1.D. Summarize/Claim
8.RI.1.D. Explain the central/main idea(s) of a text and analyze its development over the course of a text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Expository TextExpository writing explains a topic(s) to the reader. This type of writing may also
inform the reader, or compare and contrast different subjects. Example: "How To," or Process Directions: How to Climb a Rock Wall, How to Train for a Marathon. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RI.2. Analyze Craft and Structure (Approaching Texts as a Writer)
RI.2.D. Argument/Evidence
8.RI.2.D. Evaluate an author's argument, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
Persuasive TextWhat is Persuasive Text? Persuade means to convince. In persuasive text, the author attempts to convince the reader to believe that the author's viewpoint is correct. Some common persuasive techniques are: Bandwagon, Stacking the Deck, Testimonials, Citing Statistics, and Emotional Words. An author uses the Bandwagon technique when he/she tries to make us believe that we should do something because everyone is doing it. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 RI.3. Synthesize Ideas from Multiple Texts (Approaching Texts as a Researcher)
RI.3.D. Comprehension
8.RI.3.D. Read and comprehend informational text independently and proficiently.
Reading ProcessWhat Is the Reading Process? The steps a student follows in reading effectively are called the reading process. The step in the reading process when a student looks over the selection is. Certain genres of literature need to be read more than once. This step in the reading process is called rereading. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 MO.W. Writing
W.1. Approaching the Task as a Researcher
W.1.A. Research
8.W.1.A1. Conduct research to answer a question (including a self-generated question); gather relevant, credible sources, print and digital; integrate information using a standard citation system.
Writing a Research ReportThe process of preparing a research report has numerous steps. The student chooses a subject, prepares a list of questions to guide his/her research, gathers information from two or more sources, organizes the information, and presents it to the reader in a readable form. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 8.W.1.A2. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Writing a Research ReportThe process of preparing a research report has numerous steps. The student chooses a subject, prepares a list of questions to guide his/her research, gathers information from two or more sources, organizes the information, and presents it to the reader in a readable form. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 W.2. Approaching the Task as a Writer
W.2.A. Development
8.W.2.A. Follow a writing process to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, style, and voice are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; develop writing with narrative, expository, and argumentative techniques.
8.W.2.A.a. Narrative: Develop narratives including poems about real or imagined experiences, which establish and maintain a consistent point of view, and include clearly identified characters, well-structured event sequences, narrative techniques and relevant, descriptive details.
Descriptive TextWhat is Descriptive Text? Descriptive writing appeals to the senses. Writers often create a mood by choosing specific descriptive words. Descriptive writing can be made more precise by using exact words. Figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, are often used in descriptive writing. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 W.3. Approaching the Task as a Reader
W.3.A. Revise and Edit
8.W.3.A. Review, revise, and edit writing with consideration for the task, purpose, and audience.
8.W.3.A.c. Conventions of standard English and usage: Demonstrate a command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage, including spelling and punctuation.
SpellingAre There Any Tricks to Becoming a Successful Speller? One technique for successful spelling is to say, or pronounce, the word correctly. Another technique for successful spelling is to write the word. It is helpful to refer to a dictionary for the correct spellings of questionable words. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Reading and the InternetThe letters that are typed in to find a particular website are called the web
address. A website address that is saved in the computer's memory is called a
bookmark. An email address contains three parts: the name, the "at" symbol, and the
name of the Internet Service Provider. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 SpellingAre There Any Tricks to Becoming a Successful Speller? One technique for successful spelling is to say, or pronounce, the word correctly. Another technique for successful spelling is to write the word. It is helpful to refer to a dictionary for the correct spellings of questionable words. A memory device may be of use: c-a-p-i-t-o-l is the spelling for our nation’s Capitol Building; the "o" looks like the dome of the Capitol Building. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1 MO.SL. Speaking and Listening
SL.1. Collaborating
SL.1.A. Conversations
8.SL.1.A. Follow rules for collegial discussions and decision-making, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.
Conducting Interviews and DiscussionsWhat is an Interview? A conversation in which the purpose is to gather information is known as an interview. An effective interview should have a clear purpose. Before an interview, the interviewer should prepare a list of questions. An interviewer should make an appointment with the person he/she is interviewing. An interviewer should be prompt for his/her appointment. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 SL.2. Presenting
SL.2.A. Verbal Delivery
8.SL.2.A. Speak audibly, and to the point, using conventions of language as appropriate to task, purpose and audience when presenting including appropriate volume, clear articulation and accurate pronunciation at an understandable pace.
SpeakingSpeaking, a type of communication, can be categorized into formal speaking and informal speaking. Informal speaking involves a situation where a speaker does not prepare ahead of time to speak, like answering the telephone and introducing people to each other. A prepared speech is an example of formal speaking. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 SL.2.B. Nonverbal
8.SL.2.B. Make consistent eye contact with a range of listeners when speaking using effective gestures to communicate a clear viewpoint and engage listeners.
SpeakingSpeaking, a type of communication, can be categorized into formal speaking and informal speaking. Informal speaking involves a situation where a speaker does not prepare ahead of time to speak, like answering the telephone and introducing people to each other. A prepared speech is an example of formal speaking. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1 Standards
NewPath Learning resources are fully aligned to US Education Standards. Select a standard below to view correlations to your selected resource: