Honors ELA8 Learning Coach Guide

Learning Coach Guide

Contents

Welcome Letter

Dear Learning Coach,

Thank you for partnering with CCA and investing in your learner’s education. This Learning Coach Guide is intended to help you support your learner in their Honors English Language Arts 8 (Honors ELA 8) course.

Within this guide, you will find the goals, components, and features of the online course. Please take time to read and review this information so you understand how to help your learner interact with all the course’s elements.

The Learning Coach Guide also includes information about each of the units in this course. On each page of unit information, you will discover the following.

The Unit Overview will tell you what the focus, content, and skills of the unit will be.

The Unit Assessment section is a place for you and your learner to preview the graded work in the course. At the start of each unit, work with your learner to look at the unit in edio and find out which types of graded work are in this unit. Write them in the box and use it as a checklist. You can check off each one as your learner completes it.

The Unit Materials section tells you what materials your learner will need to complete the activities in this unit. You will also find the materials list repeated within each lesson so that your learner has exactly what they need at the right time.

The Unit Discussion Questions are optional questions that you may want to ask your learner during the unit to increase home and school connections about what your learner is studying.

In the Unit Notables section, you may find optional activities, literature connections, career connections, technology tips, ideas to help your learner if they get stuck, or safety tips.

CCA wishes you and your learner a terrific school year!

Supporting Your Learner

Your role as a Learning Coach is very important. Here are a few ways you can help your learner do their very best in the course.

Help your learner know what time guided or live class instruction is scheduled for, and prompt them to attend sessions or watch recordings.

Remember, it is okay for your learner to get stuck. Learning new material takes time. Encourage them to take breaks, keep trying, and even ask the teacher for help.

Help your learner navigate technology. That may mean helping them type information or upload work into edio.

Always encourage your learner to do their very best.

Review the course syllabus for your learner’s course.

Maintain communication with your learner’s teacher.

Part B:Course Information

Course Goals

In Honors ELA 8, your learner will use the foundations they learned in ELA 7 or Honors ELA 7 to grow their reading and writing skills. By the end of the year, your learner will:

develop critical reading skills to analyze and evaluate literary and nonfiction texts and their elements;

identify themes and arguments, draw accurate inferences, and explain the relationship between structure and meaning;

develop vocabulary and language skills that improve reading comprehension;

develop skills in word analysis using contextual clues and reference resources;

produce clear, purposeful written work, with sound structure, mechanics, grammar, syntax, and style that is appropriate to the mode of writing;

apply critical thinking and problem-solving strategies across academic disciplines, in the form of analytical essays and project-based assessments;

conduct research, locating credible sources and synthesizing gathered information, that results in well-substantiated papers and presentations;

integrate an understanding of literary concepts and skills into multiple disciplines, reflecting independent learning and self-expression through interdisciplinary projects and creative assignments; and

analyze, evaluate, and present ideas and information, showcasing improved proficiency in listening and speaking and using media tools.

Course Format

Lesson Components:Each day, your learner will spend 65-70 minutes completing a lesson for Honors ELA and an additional 15 minutes of On Your Own reading. Some days may take less time, while other days may take a little more time. The lesson does not need to be completed in one sitting. Encourage your learner to take short breaks as they need.

This section will help you to understand how your learner’s course is structured in edio.

General Lesson Bundling:

Within the lesson bundles, there are different components your learner will interact with. These components will not be used every day.

Getting Started Lesson: There is one Getting Started lesson in this course. It can be found on Day 1 of Unit 1. This lesson includes important information about the course and contact information for your teacher.

Unit Overview: Each unit will include a unit overview. This describes what your learner will learn in the unit and how many assessments the unit will have.

Prep for Success: At the beginning of each unit, your learner will find a Prep for Success. This component offers learners tips to be successful in the course, such as study tips, important software information, safety reminders, and more.

Knowledge Check: There will be one Knowledge Check in each unit. The Knowledge Check is designed to check prior learning and understanding of key skills and concepts that will be taught in the unit. The Knowledge Check is not a graded assessment.

ELA Lesson Bundling:

In Honors ELA 8, learners will have three lesson bundles most days unless an assignment, quiz, or test occurs. The following list breaks down each section.

Language Skills: Learners explore language skills, often studying common word parts and applying their meanings to expand their vocabulary.

Reading: During the reading portion of the lesson, learners explore fiction and nonfiction texts and work on comprehension strategies.

Writing: Learners will transfer the structures and language they see in reading to their writing. They will complete practice short-form and long-form writing in narrative, informational, and argumentative modes.

Lesson Structure:

Each lesson has its own components to help guide your learner through the lesson.

Lesson Overview: At the beginning of every lesson, your learner will see the Lesson Overview. This section contains lesson objectives, lesson vocabulary, materials your learner will need for the lesson, and the suggested lesson length.

Engage: The first section of the lesson is Engage. In this section, learners will be introduced to the lesson by making a connection to past and present knowledge and will get ready for the lesson’s instruction.

Discover: New content and instruction is presented in the Discover section. Your learner will interact with the lesson content through defined vocabulary terms, videos, audio, and Pause and Think activities. Typically, your learner will be able to practice and answer questions as they work through the lesson.

Show: Learners will demonstrate what they have learned in the lesson through a series of practice questions and activities.

Wrap Up: This section recaps the day’s objectives and prepares learners for a future lesson or assessment.

Assessments:The course includes assignments and projects. These graded assignments allow your learner to show what they have learned and apply their new skills. All CCA assignments and projects include these components.

Assessment Overview: At the beginning of each assessment, your learner will see the Assessment Overview. This section contains the goals of the assessment, materials your learner will need, the length of the assessment, and directions for completion.

Plan: In the Plan section, learners will be introduced to the assignment or project. Learners may be provided with a review of content from the previous lessons, strategies for completing the activity, graphic organizers, and grading rubrics.

Do: Learners put their plan into action and work to complete the assignment or project successfully. This section also provides the grading expectations and/or rubric the teacher will use to grade the work.

Reflect: In Reflect, learners will think back to the work they completed. They will reflect upon the experience and analyze how well they completed the task. These moments of reflection are important and allow learners to consider their learning and work habits.

In addition to assignments and projects, this course also includes quizzes and tests.

Quiz Review: Before a quiz, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in a quiz.

Quiz: Learners will complete quizzes in each unit. There are two types of quizzes in the course: Language Skills Quizzes and Grammar Quizzes.

Test Review: Before a test, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in the test.

Test: ELA Skills Tests occur in the middle or at the end of a unit. In ELA Skills Tests, learners approach a new text to apply the skills learned in the unit.

Course Features

This course includes and uses unique features such as:

Honors ELA 8 Notebook

Language Skills

Assignments

Quizzes

Skills Tests

Sustained Writing

Writing Projects

Literature Circles

edioReader

Passion Project

Honors ELA 8 Notebook: Learners are prompted to use their notebooks almost every day. The notebook includes hard-copy versions of every short text (besides test material). Along with the texts, the notebook also has a Notes and Brainstorming section, as well as a Language Skills section. In edio, learners will see the following icons as a signal to go to the correct section of the notebook.

This icon represents the Notes & Brainstorming section.

(Getty Images)

This icon represents the Language Skills section.

(Getty Images)

Language Skills: In most lessons, learners will study word parts.

There are four “cycles” of word parts lessons throughout the year, and each cycle is about 16 days. This pattern is repeated for each type of word part (prefixes, suffixes, roots) and ends with practice activities that connect them.

Within a cycle, each word part type completes a pattern:

Lesson 1: Learn the definitions of the word parts, match them to their definitions, and identify word parts within larger words.

Lesson 2: Review the word part definitions and predict the meaning of new words based on their parts. Then, sort words based on their parts and practice pronouncing them.

Lesson 3: Determine the meaning of multisyllabic words based on their parts. Then, write sentences using those words appropriately.

Lesson 4: Determine the meaning of multisyllabic words based on their parts and create sentences including those new words.

Quizzes: Learners will complete quizzes in each unit. There are two types of quizzes in the course: Language Skills Quizzes and Grammar Quizzes. Quizzes are mostly auto-scored, and some contain a short text response.

Tests: In ELA Skills Tests, learners approach a new text (“cold read”) to apply the skills learned in the unit. For example, if the unit involves the skills of making inferences and analyzing characterization, the test will present learners with a short excerpt of an unfamiliar text and a few questions to assess those skills.

Assignments: Each unit contains at least one assignment. The assignment is often related to text analysis.

Sustained Writing: To build writing fluency, learners will respond to short prompts throughout each unit. Sustained writing prompts occur in Honors ELA 8 at appropriate intervals during writing instruction. Learners are instructed to set a timer, choose a prompt, and write for 10 minutes to build stamina. This activity is not assessed in terms of grammar or conventions. It is meant to encourage learner writing and expression.

Writing Projects: Learners will complete graded writing projects once per unit. These assignments start mid-unit, which allows learners to complete the task in smaller chunks. Meanwhile, writing skills instruction is included to support learners each step of the way. At the end of each unit, learners are given time to revise and edit before submission.

Literature Circles: Learners will receive several novels in their Honors ELA 8 Curriculum Kit, and they will choose one to read during the Literature Circle unit. Learners will be responsible for reading on their own, completing related assignments, and discussing their book with the class during Guided Lessons and/or in discussion boards.

edioReader: Learners will have access to digital versions of each text used in the Honors ELA program. This is through a platform called edioReader. Learners can even bookmark, highlight, and annotate within the digital text. For a brief video tutorial, see the Prep for Success bundle in Unit 1.

Passion Project: For this assignment, learners will choose tasks based on their interests. Learners will be given project suggestions, and they can communicate with their teacher to develop a task that is right for them. Some examples of project tasks include independent reading, short story writing, nonfiction research, and illustration, just to name a few. The goals of the Passion Project are to engage learners, practice ELA skills, share interests with the learning community, and reflect on the project process as a whole.

Part C:Unit Information

Unit Overview

Technology plays an integral role in our rapidly advancing lives. From smartphones and social media to artificial intelligence and automation, technology has revolutionized so many aspects of society.This unit will explore technology’s downfalls and successes, as well as its effects on individuals, communities, and the world.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment types they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

How have technological advances made your life different from the lives of previous generations?

In what ways has social media made your life better or worse?

Do the articles about technology discuss problems that matter to you? What are those problems?

Unit Notables

As they consider technology and human life, learners will read fiction and nonfiction texts that explore both positive and negative aspects of technology. Learners will complete an argumentative writing task about a technological advancement of their choice and debate its contribution to society.

Kit Materials

Honors ELA Notebook

Surviving Social Media: Shut Down the Haters

Household Materials

None

Unit Overview

Survival comes in many forms, including how to survive challenging situations or adapt to a new environment or to living on a struggling planet.

This unit will explore various dimensions of survival through literature, language analysis, and critical thinking.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment types they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

Why do you think people are fascinated by challenges to survival?

How important is it to follow leaders during a crisis?

What is your reaction to a crisis—to reflect and regroup or forge ahead?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be completing a novel study. Encourage learners to read a chapter of the book for every lesson. If learners are falling behind in the reading pace, encourage them to use an audio book or communicate with their teacher.

Kit Materials

Honors ELA Notebook

The Compound

Household Materials

None

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will have the opportunity to be a part of a book club with the support and structure of a class community. The primary goals for your learner are to read, analyze, and discuss books with their peers. They can pick from a variety of novels. Their final project will be a reflection about their novel and their experience.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment types they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

Are you enjoying the book you chose? Why or why not?

Who is the main character and what about them do you like or dislike? Why?

Have you made connections with other readings or real-world experiences?

Unit Notables

Your learner will have the opportunity to select and read one of the listed novels. They will plan a reading schedule, and read and analyze the plot, characters, setting, language, and themes of their novel. Learners will complete a daily log and discuss their book with peers reading the same novel.

Kit Materials

Honors ELA Notebook

literature circle book

Household Materials

None

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will explore life choices and their possible consequences. The activities for this unit will deepen the learner’s understanding of how personal choices, attitudes, and actions will affect their future. They will be encouraged to reflect on their own aspirations and goals and strategies that will shape the future they desire.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment types they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What would you like your future to look like?

What actions can you take to shape your future?

How will your life be different if you react passively rather than act decisively?

Unit Notables

Your learner will explore personal agency and how it can shape one’s future. They will read a novel about overcoming barriers to success, analyze other texts, participate in class discussions, and create a project designed to help them reflect on overcoming challenges in creating their own future.

Kit Materials

Honors ELA Notebook

Nowhere Boy

Household Materials

None

Unit Overview

Can conflicts between people be productive? This unit will give your learner a forum for exploring how interpersonal conflict can lead to growth and greater closeness to and understanding of others. They will develop critical thinking skills that will lead to a greater understanding of this possibility.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment types they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

Why does conflict seem like it has to be scary?

How can two people disagree and both have understandable points of view?

How did a character in this unit learn from going through a conflict?

Unit Notables

Your learner will examine many forms of conflict in literature, personal experiences, and real-world situations. This unit will involve a variety of engaging activities, discussions, and literary analyses.

Kit Materials

Honors ELA Notebook

Nowhere Boy

Household Materials

None

Unit Overview

Your learner is exceptional in many different ways. This unit will give them the opportunity to shine by completing an end-of-year project incorporating one of their interests from their English class. They will plan, prepare, and reflect on the process of completing a short Passion Project. The primary assessments in this unit are the project and a reflection.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment types they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What are some things you are passionate about?

What would you like others to know about the subject of your project?

Can you explain to me how this course has changed your ideas about English Language Arts?

Unit Notables

Your learner will have the opportunity to think and write about topics that interest them. These interests can be from the arts, literature, math and physics, or even, fun and hobbies. They will have the opportunity to explore what they are passionate about and choose from different options to share it with others.

Kit Materials

Honors ELA Notebook

Household Materials

None