8th Grade · Close read · English I next · 4 units
English Language Arts 8
Week 1 is free. Tap Week 1. The reading and the problems are on that lesson. Weeks 2–36 open with a Life Academy plan ($35/month per student or $69/month per family (up to 4 students)).
Unit 1: Foundations
Weeks 1–9Week 1Rhetorical analysis warm-up; Constitution Preamble close read (PD)Week 2Literature-circle roles; London, Twain, or Chopin short storyWeek 3Rhetorical appeals in Federalist No. 10 excerpt (Madison, PD)Week 4Debate warm-up: Constitution-related teen-appropriate promptWeek 5Close read: Article I excerpt (enumerated powers sample)Week 6Literature-circle meeting 1; family-picked novel or playWeek 7Annotate Amendments 1–5 (PD); paraphrase each in teen plain EnglishWeek 8Rhetorical analysis: a modern op-ed vs a founding-era excerptWeek 9Literature circle mid; character/power analysis paragraph
Unit 2: Building fluency
Weeks 10–18Week 10Primary: Federalist No. 51 excerpt (ambition counteracting ambition)Week 11Research with sources: mini on a Constitution clause OR chem topicWeek 12Unit writing: rhetorical paragraph on a founding excerptWeek 13Literature circle continue; theme trackingWeek 14Debate: science ethics prompt (genetic testing lite — careful)Week 15Washington Farewell Address or Adams/Jefferson lettersWeek 16Research mini: expansion OR invention primary+secondaryWeek 17Paired sources: settler letter plus indigenous accountWeek 18Lit circle / novel mid assessment essay
Unit 3: Depth & application
Weeks 19–27Week 19Poetry and rhetoric: Lincoln Lyceum speech, then GettysburgWeek 20Rhetorical analysis: Gettysburg Address (PD) — full close readWeek 21Literature circle final; theme essay draftWeek 22Emancipation Proclamation excerpt plus a soldier's letterWeek 23Research brief: local climate impact OR energy proposalWeek 24Publish theme / rhetoric pieceWeek 25Debate tournament lite (2 rounds) on coach-approved promptsWeek 2613th–15th Amendments and Freedmen's voicesWeek 27Research paper (3–4 pages) on history OR science design topic
Unit 4: Mastery & showcase
Weeks 28–36Week 28Revise research paper; oral defense of sourcesWeek 29Literature/rhetoric choice piece polishWeek 30Timed reading + annotation setWeek 31Write personal academic statement (1 page) for portfolioWeek 32Teach a Grade 6/7 student OR parent a Grade 8 idea (30 min lesson plan)Week 33Curate portfolio: essays, annotations, labs, math defensesWeek 34Final writing standards checkWeek 35Full capstone rehearsal with panel questionsWeek 36Portfolio + Socratic/capstone defense (family/community panel)