Standardized Test Preparation

TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)

References: Texas Education Agency : STAAR Released Tests |

Language Arts - Grade 8

Assessment Exam - TEKS Grade 8 Language Arts

Reading/Fluency	eTAP Lesson
Students read grade-level text with fluency and comprehension
Adjust fluency when reading aloud grade-level text based on the reading purpose and the nature of the text TX.ELA.110.20.1	Analyze Oral Interpretations of Literature
Reading/Vocabulary Development	eTAP Lesson
Students understand new vocabulary and use it when reading and writing
Determine the meaning of grade-level academic English words derived from Latin, Greek, or other linguistic roots and affixes TX.ELA.110.20.2.A	Roots and Affixes
Use context (within a sentence and in larger sections of text) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or ambiguous words or words with novel meanings TX.ELA.110.20.2.B	Using Context
Complete analogies that describe a function or its description (e.g., pen:paper as chalk: ______ or soft:kitten as hard: ______) TX.ELA.110.20.2.C	Idioms, Analogies, Metaphors and Similes
Identify common words or word parts from other languages that are used in written English (e.g., phenomenon, charisma, chorus, passé, flora, fauna) TX.ELA.110.20.2.D
Use a dictionary, a glossary, or a thesaurus (printed or electronic) to determine the meanings, syllabication, pronunciations, alternate word choices, and parts of speech of words TX.ELA.110.20.2.E	Parts of Speech
Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Theme and Genre	eTAP Lesson
Students analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about theme and genre in different cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding
Aalyze literary works that share similar themes across cultures TX.ELA.110.20.3.A	Recurring Themes
Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in mythologies from various cultures (e.g., ideas of afterlife, roles and characteristics of deities, purposes of myths) TX.ELA.110.20.3.B
Explain how the values and beliefs of particular characters are affected by the historical and cultural setting of the literary work TX.ELA.110.20.3.C	Relevance of Setting
Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Poetry	eTAP Lesson
Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about the structure and elements of poetry and provide evidence from text to support their understanding
Compare and contrast the relationship between the purpose and characteristics of different poetic forms (e.g., epic poetry, lyric poetry) TX.ELA.110.20.4
Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Drama	eTAP Lesson
Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about the structure and elements of drama and provide evidence from text to support their understanding
Analyze how different playwrights characterize their protagonists and antagonists through the dialogue and staging of their plays TX.ELA.110.20.5	Characterization
Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Fiction	eTAP Lesson
Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about the structure and elements of fiction and provide evidence from text to support their understanding
Analyze linear plot developments (e.g., conflict, rising action, falling action, resolution, subplots) to determine whether and how conflicts are resolved TX.ELA.110.20.6.A	Elements of Plot
Analyze how the central characters' qualities influence the theme of a fictional work and resolution of the central conflict TX.ELA.110.20.6.B	Recurring Themes
Analyze different forms of point of view, including limited versus omniscient, subjective versus objective TX.ELA.110.20.6.C	Point of View
Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Literary Nonfiction	eTAP Lesson
Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about the varied structural patterns and features of literary nonfiction and provide evidence from text to support their understanding
Analyze passages in well-known speeches for the author's use of literary devices and word and phrase choice (e.g., aphorisms, epigraphs) to appeal to the audience TX.ELA.110.20.7	Analyze Oral Interpretations of Literature
Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Sensory Language	eTAP Lesson
Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about how an author's sensory language creates imagery in literary text and provide evidence from text to support their understanding
Explain the effect of similes and extended metaphors in literary text TX.ELA.110.20.8	Figurative Language
Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Culture and History	eTAP Lesson
Students analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about the author's purpose in cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding
Analyze works written on the same topic and compare how the authors achieved similar or different purposes TX.ELA.110.20.9	Analyze Themes and Literary Elements
Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Expository Text	eTAP Lesson
Students analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about expository text and provide evidence from text to support their understanding
Summarize the main ideas, supporting details, and relationships among ideas in text succinctly in ways that maintain meaning and logical order TX.ELA.110.20.10.A	Analyze and Summarize Texts
Distinguish factual claims from commonplace assertions and opinions and evaluate inferences from their logic in text TX.ELA.110.20.10.B	Evaluate Claims and Present Arguments Statements & Claims
Make subtle inferences and draw complex conclusions about the ideas in text and their organizational patterns TX.ELA.110.20.10.C	Inference
Synthesize and make logical connections between ideas within a text and across two or three texts representing similar or different genres and support those findings with textual evidence TX.ELA.110.20.10.D	Analyze and Summarize Texts
Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Persuasive Text	eTAP Lesson
Students analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about persuasive text and provide evidence from text to support their analysis
Compare and contrast persuasive texts that reached different conclusions about the same issue and explain how the authors reached their conclusions through analyzing the evidence each presents TX.ELA.110.20.11.A	Cause and Effect Organization of Text
Analyze the use of such rhetorical and logical fallacies as loaded terms, caricatures, leading questions, false assumptions, and incorrect premises in persuasive texts TX.ELA.110.20.11.B	Analyze Themes and Literary Elements
Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Procedural Texts	eTAP Lesson
Students understand how to glean and use information in procedural texts and documents
Analyze text for missing or extraneous information in multi-step directions or legends for diagrams TX.ELA.110.20.12.A	Technical Directions
Evaluate graphics for their clarity in communicating meaning or achieving a specific purpose TX.ELA.110.20.12.B
Reading/Media Literacy	eTAP Lesson
Students use comprehension skills to analyze how words, images, graphics, and sounds work together in various forms to impact meaning. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater depth in increasingly more complex texts.
Evaluate the role of media in focusing attention on events and informing opinion on issues TX.ELA.110.20.13.A	Collaborate to Evaluate Presentations
Interpret how visual and sound techniques (e.g., special effects, camera angles, lighting, music) influence the message TX.ELA.110.20.13.B	Media 3
Evaluate various techniques used to create a point of view in media and the impact on audience TX.ELA.110.20.13.C
Assess the correct level of formality and tone for successful participation in various digital media TX.ELA.110.20.13.D	Media 3
Writing/Writing Process	eTAP Lesson
Students use elements of the writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) to compose text
Plan a first draft by selecting a genre appropriate for conveying the intended meaning to an audience, determining appropriate topics through a range of strategies (e.g., discussion, background reading, personal interests, interviews), and developing a thesis or controlling idea TX.ELA.110.20.14.A	Collaborate to Evaluate Presentations
Develop drafts by choosing an appropriate organizational strategy (e.g., sequence of events, cause-effect, compare-contrast) and building on ideas to create a focused, organized, and coherent piece of writing TX.ELA.110.20.14.B	Cause and Effect Organization of Text
Revise drafts to ensure precise word choice and vivid images; consistent point of view; use of simple, compound, and complex sentences; internal and external coherence; and the use of effective transitions after rethinking how well questions of purpose, audience, and genre have been addressed TX.ELA.110.20.14.C
Edit drafts for grammar, mechanics, and spelling TX.ELA.110.20.14.D	Mechanics of Writing Parts of Speech
Revise final draft in response to feedback from peers and teacher and publish written work for appropriate audiences TX.ELA.110.20.14.E
Writing/Literary Texts	eTAP Lesson
Students write literary texts to express their ideas and feelings about real or imagined people, events, and ideas
Write an imaginative story that: (i) Sustains reader interest (ii) Includes well-paced action and an engaging story line (iii) Creates a specific, believable setting through the use of sensory details (iv) Develops interesting characters (v) Uses a range of literary strategies and devices to enhance the style and tone TX.ELA.110.20.15.A	Forms of Fiction Elements of Structure and Style Figurative, Connotative, and Technical Meanings
Write a poem using: (i) Poetic techniques (e.g., rhyme scheme, meter) (ii) Figurative language (e.g., personification, idioms, hyperbole) (iii) Graphic elements (e.g., word position) TX.ELA.110.20.15.B	Analyze Oral Interpretations of Literature
Writing	eTAP Lesson
Students write expository and procedural or work-related texts to communicate ideas and information to specific audiences for specific purposes
Write a personal narrative that has a clearly defined focus and includes reflections on decisions, actions, and/or consequences TX.ELA.110.20.16	Fictional and Autobiographical Narratives
Writing/Expository and Procedural Texts	eTAP Lesson
Write a multi-paragraph essay to convey information about a topic that: (i) Presents effective introductions and concluding paragraphs (ii) Contains a clearly stated purpose or controlling idea> (iii) Is logically organized with appropriate facts and details and includes no extraneous information or inconsistencies (iv) Accurately synthesizes ideas from several sources (v) Uses a variety of sentence structures, rhetorical devices, and transitions to link paragraphs TX.ELA.110.20.17.A	Paragraph Transitions Descriptive Narratives Informative and Explanatory Texts
Write a letter that reflects an opinion, registers a complaint, or requests information in a business or friendly context TX.ELA.110.20.17.B
Write responses to literary or expository texts that demonstrate the use of writing skills for a multi-paragraph essay and provide sustained evidence from the text using quotations when appropriate TX.ELA.110.20.17.C	Expository Compositions
Produce a multimedia presentation involving text, graphics, images, and sound using available technology TX.ELA.110.20.17.D	Production and Distribution of Writing
Writing/Persuasive Texts	eTAP Lesson
Students write persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a specific audience on specific issues
Establishes a clear thesis or position TX.ELA.110.20.18.A
Considers and responds to the views of others and anticipates and answers reader concerns and counter-arguments TX.ELA.110.20.18.B	Argument and Persuasion
Includes evidence that is logically organized to support the author's viewpoint and that differentiates between fact and opinion TX.ELA.110.20.18.C	Informative and Explanatory Texts
Oral and Written Conventions/Conventions	eTAP Lesson
Students understand the function of and use the conventions of academic language when speaking and writing. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity.
Use and understand the function of the following parts of speech in the context of reading, writing, and speaking: (i) Verbs (perfect and progressive tenses) and participles (ii) Appositive phrases (iii) Adverbial and adjectival phrases and clauses (iv) Relative pronouns (e.g., whose, that, which) (v) Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, since) TX.ELA.110.20.19.A	Infinitives and Participles Parts of Speech
Write complex sentences and differentiate between main versus subordinate clauses TX.ELA.110.20.19.B
Use a variety of complete sentences (e.g., simple, compound, complex) that include properly placed modifiers, correctly identified antecedents, parallel structures, and consistent tenses TX.ELA.110.20.19.C	Modifiers Using Active Voice Compound Sentences
Oral and Written Conventions/Handwriting, Capitalization, and Punctuation	eTAP Lesson
Students write legibly and use appropriate capitalization and punctuation conventions in their compositions. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity.
Use conventions of capitalization TX.ELA.110.20.20.A	Mechanics of Writing
Use correct punctuation marks, including: (i) Commas after introductory structures and dependent adverbial clauses, and correct punctuation of complex sentences (ii) semicolons, colons, hyphens, parentheses, brackets, and ellipses TX.ELA.110.20.20.B	Parentheses Mechanics of Writing Hyphens, Dashes, and Brackets Colons and Semicolons
Oral and Written Conventions/Spelling	eTAP Lesson
Students spell correctly
Spell correctly, including using various resources to determine and check correct spellings TX.ELA.110.20.21	Spelling
Research/Research Plan	eTAP Lesson
Students ask open-ended research questions and develop a plan for answering them
Brainstorm, consult with others, decide upon a topic, and formulate a major research question to address the major research topic TX.ELA.110.20.22.A
Apply steps for obtaining and evaluating information from a wide variety of sources and create a written plan after preliminary research in reference works and additional text searches TX.ELA.110.20.22.B
Research/Gathering Sources	eTAP Lesson
Students determine, locate, and explore the full range of relevant sources addressing a research question and systematically record the information they gather
Follow the research plan to gather information from a range of relevant print and electronic sources using advanced search strategies TX.ELA.110.20.23.A
Categorize information thematically in order to see the larger constructs inherent in the information TX.ELA.110.20.23.B	Present Research
Record bibliographic information (e.g., author, title, page number) for all notes and sources according to a standard format TX.ELA.110.20.23.C	Reference Materials
Differentiate between paraphrasing and plagiarism and identify the importance of using valid and reliable sources TX.ELA.110.20.23.D	Reference Materials
Research/Synthesizing Information	eTAP Lesson
Students clarify research questions and evaluate and synthesize collected information
Narrow or broaden the major research question, if necessary, based on further research and investigation TX.ELA.110.20.24.A	Research Reports
Utilize elements that demonstrate the reliability and validity of the sources used (e.g., publication date, coverage, language, point of view) and explain why one source is more useful and relevant than another TX.ELA.110.20.24.B
Research/Organizing and Presenting Ideas	eTAP Lesson
Students organize and present their ideas and information according to the purpose of the research and their audience
Draws conclusions and summarizes or paraphrases the findings in a systematic way TX.ELA.110.20.25.A	How to Draw and Present Conclusions
Marshal evidence to explain the topic and give relevant reasons for conclusions TX.ELA.110.20.25.B	Drawing Conclusions
Presents the findings in a meaningful format TX.ELA.110.20.25.C	Deliver Research Presentations Present Research
Follows accepted formats for integrating quotations and citations into the written text to maintain a flow of ideas TX.ELA.110.20.25.D
Listening and Speaking/Listening	eTAP Lesson
Students will use comprehension skills to listen attentively to others in formal and informal settings. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity.
Listen to and interpret a speaker's purpose by explaining the content, evaluating the delivery of the presentation, and asking questions or making comments about the evidence that supports a speaker's claims TX.ELA.110.20.26.A	Paraphrase a Speaker's Purpose and Point of View
Follow and give complex oral instructions to perform specific tasks, answer questions, or solve problems TX.ELA.110.20.26.B
Students will use comprehension skills to listen attentively to others in formal and informal settings. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity
Summarize formal and informal presentations, distinguish between facts and opinions, and determine the effectiveness of rhetorical devices TX.ELA.110.20.26.C	Formal Presentations
Listening and Speaking/Speaking	eTAP Lesson
Students speak clearly and to the point, using the conventions of language. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity.
Advocate a position using anecdotes, analogies, and/or illustrations, and use eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, a variety of natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively TX.ELA.110.20.27	Collaborate to Evaluate Presentations
Listening and Speaking/Teamwork	eTAP Lesson
Students work productively with others in teams. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity.
Participate productively in discussions, plan agendas with clear goals and deadlines, set time limits for speakers, take notes, and vote on key issues TX.ELA.110.20.28