2nd Quarter Common Assessment

REVIEW

8th ELA

Reading Selections

• Two Poems One Reading Passage –Poem - 7 questions–One Stand Alone - 10 questions

–Poem-5 questions22 Questions Total

Midnight by: Sarah Holbrook

When it’s Sundayand it’s midnight, the weekend put back in its chest,the toys of recreation, party timesand needed rest.

When I lie in waitfor Mondayto grab me by the ear, throw me at the shower, off to school and when I hear

the train at midnightfrom so many miles away... when it’s Sunday . . . and it’s midnight . . .the train in passing brays and boastsit’s steel-track-straight, on schedule, arrival times to keep. And I meander to its rhythm, flopping like a fish.Why can’t I get to sleep?Why can’t I get to sleep?

MetaphorA figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually

have something in common.

• The metaphor in the first stanza is used to emphasize that the—

A  speaker behaves like a small child on the weekendB  speaker’s weekend of fun and relaxation is overC  speaker uses the weekend to organize thingsD  speaker’s time is wasted during the weekend

Simile Definition of Simile: A figure of speech

in which two seemingly different things are compared with one another using the words "like" or "as".

Example: Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.

Poetry “Hints”

• An author uses words to set the tone of a poem and convey feelings.

What feelings can you describe when you read the words of the poem?

Poetry • Stanza- a group of lines,

usually similar in length

and pattern, that form

a unit within a poem.

• Theme- a central idea,

message, or purpose

of a literary work.

• Symbolism-

Something that

represents

something else by

association.

Ex. An American flag

symbolizes freedom.

Text Box i.e. EXTRA INFORMATION

• ALWAYS READ

AT ALL DETAILS

Text Evidence

• Using a quote from the text to show/prove actions or events in a story

• Think Rover Grover

Selection Vocabulary

• Rather than fighting a war by pitting forces frequently and repeatedly, Washington opted for a strategy of learning British plans—their troop movements, the size of their forces, and their times of attack. Hischosen method to achieve this advantage was espionage.

• to make a choice; choose

Author’s Purpose• Share Information

– Explain, describe, give facts, inform

• Entertain– Amuse, frighten

• Teach– Instruct

• Influence– Criticize, warn, encourage

• Express– Thoughts and feelings

Fact/Opinion

• A fact can be PROVEN.

• An opinion is a writer’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Drawing Conclusions• It is easy to draw conclusions based on

what you’ve read and your own experiences.

Summarization

• When choosing the best summary of a selection or article, you need to pick the statement that includes the most important details from beginning, middle, and the end.

A Real Case by: Sara Holbrook

Doubtful,

I have a fever

or any other measurable

symptom.

I’m just down with a sniffly case

of sudden-self-loathing-

syndrome.

TODAY!

It hit like a thwop of mashed

potatoes snapped against a

plate,

An unrequested extra serving

of just-for-now-self-hate.

Today, I’m worthless,

a leftover bath,

a wad of second-hand gum.

I belong in a twist-tied bag

with the rest of the toys that

won’t run.

My mood’s as welcome as

incoming dog breath,

or a terminal case of split ends.

I sparkle like a dust rag,

I could attract mosquitoes—

maybe—not friends.

In fact, I could be contagious!

I’m a downer to say the least.

And if you try to push

my mood swing, I’ll only drag my

feet.

Why? I couldn’t tell you.

Just, some days, I get up and

get down. It’s not a permanent

disability, though. Tomorrow,

I’ll come around.

Figurative Language Authors use similes and metaphors to help the reader

understand a character, object or point of view by comparing those subjects to something the audience already understands.

What is the purpose of the poet using so many similes and metaphors throughout a poem?

 to express a subject or feeling in few words

ImageryWords or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses.

Writers want you to see, hear, taste, smell and feel what they are writing about. They paint images, or word pictures, that appeal to your senses and help you experience the poem fully.

Analyzing the writing

Why does the poet capitalize the word

“TODAY”?TODAY!

It hit like a thwop of mashed

potatoes snapped against a plate,

An unrequested extra serving of just-for-now-self-hate.

What does the author want/not want

by writing these lines?

And if you try to push

My mood swing, I’ll only drag my feet.

Key Words used

• Assertion – implied, not stated directly• Infer – basic knowledge used with reading• Conclude – ending thoughts• Summary – overall theme• Theme – overall meaning of text• Author’s Purpose/Claim• Reflect – shows/mirrors