Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Guide

YEAR AT A GLANCE

ELA 8

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

Suggested Pacing

9-10 weeks

9-10 weeks

9-10 weeks

9-10 weeks

Writing Focus

Informative

Argument

Multi-Genre/Research

Narrative

How can informative writing contribute to a broader understanding of a topic or issue? Writing: 2 Reading: 5, 6, 7, 10 Speaking & Listening: 1, 2

How can argument writing contribute to critical thinking and civil discourse?

How can different genres be combined to convey a message or explore a topic from various perspectives? Writing: 1, 2, 4 Reading: 5, 7, 12, 13, 14 Speaking and Listening: 1, 3

In what ways does narrative writing influence a community and the larger societies that surround it? Writing: 3 Reading: 6, 8, 10, 11 Speaking and Listening: 1

Essential Questions

Writing: 1 Reading: 5, 13 Speaking & Listening: 1, 2

Anchor Standards

Reading Test Windows

MAP Window: Aug. 18th - Sept. 24th

MAP Window: Dec. 2nd - Jan. 14th

MAP Window: Mar. 30th - May 7th

RISE Benchmark: Argument I

RISE Benchmark: Informative I

Testing Reason: Fall Oct. 27th - Nov. 13th

Testing Reason: Winter Jan. 4th - 29th

RISE End-of-Year Summative Assessment

Writing Test Windows

April 12th - May 21st

PLCs to administer and review before February 5th District Collaboration

PLC to administer and review before November 20th District Collaboration

CSD Middle School ELA Resource Hub and Community Sample Unit: Unit 1: Informative - Identity and Influence

Resources

Grade 7-8 USBE Core Guide Utah State Standards, English/Language Arts

Accessing the District-Wide Standards-Based Assessment (DWSBA)

RISE Benchmarks will be used for the DWSBA to give students practice with the RISE portal tools. Benchmarks can be previewed and administered at https://utahrise.org/ . Use the How-To Guide for step-by-step instructions. For account access, contact Cindy.Perry@canyonsdistrict.org

Last Updated June 2nd, 2026 Secondary ELA, Page 71