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English Language Arts 8

June 22, 2021

The Instructor for this course is Leona McLeod

Course History

First Offered in 2016

Developed by MJ Sherven

Curriculum Guide


This course is designed to fulfill the curricular objectives of the Saskatchewan Grade 8 English Language Arts curriculum.  It is divided into 5 units of study.

Each unit of study contains readings, novels, movies, videos, and activities of their own. No additional text/books is required.  Within each unit, you will be asked to complete assignments and exams. There are also a variety of links to videos, websites, and other media provided.  These links are only a small sample of what is available for you to use on the internet.  Please feel free to use any other sources that you find - just keep track of the sources you use for your assignments.

Course Information


Unit One – Becoming Myself (5 weeks) Students are looking inward and focusing on self-image and self-esteem.  They reflect on self and life, and on their beliefs and values and those of their society.

Section 1: Who Am I? Short Stories – 1.5 weeks

Section 2: More Short Stories and Fables – 2 weeks

Section 3: The Diary of Anne Frank ~ A Play – 1.5 weeks


Unit Two – Is It Fair? In Search of Justice (9 weeks) Students look outward and examine their relationships with others, their community, and that of the world. They also consider the historical context. 

Section 1: Social Justice – 1 week

Section 2: Shawnadithit and the Beothuk Tribe – 0.5 week

Section 3: Residential Schools – 1.5 weeks

Section 4: I Have A Dream – 0.5 week

Section 5: Remember The Titans – 0.5 week

Section 6: Japanese Internment – 1 week

Section 7: Child Labour – 1 week

Section 8: Touching Spirit Bear Novel Study – 3 weeks


Unit Three – First Nations and Greek Mythology (8 weeks) Students consider the imaginary worlds and possibilities.

Section 1: What is Mythology? – 1 week

Section 2: First Nations Wesakechak – 1.5 week

Section 3: Introduction to the Greeks – 0.5 week

Section 4: Greek Mythology – 3.5 weeks

Section 5: Greek Mythological Monsters – 0.5 week

Section 6: Greek Mythology Final Project – 1 week


Unit Four – Burning Questions (6 weeks) Students consider the role of communication in their lives and the ideas and technologies that help people become effective communicators. 

Section 1: Burning Questions Extend Our Learning – 1.5 weeks

Section 2: How have innocent people suffered so that others could gain? – 1.5 weeks

Section 3: How could the suffering of innocent people been allowed? – 1 week

Section 4: Why are innocent people still suffering today? – 0.5 week

Section 5: What is our social responsibility? 1.5 weeks


Unit Five – Adventure and Adventurers (10 weeks) Students explore the elements of the natural and constructed world and the role of technology and related developments in their society. 

Section 1: Are You An Adventurer? – 1 week

Section 2: Against Great Odds – 1 week

Section 3: Breaking New Ground – 1.5 weeks

Section 4: Imaginative Adventurers – 1.5 weeks

Section 5: Unit End Project Options – 1 week

Section 6: Novel Study Options ~  Brian's Winter/The Cay/Z for Zachariah – 4 weeks

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