The goal of this activity is to build critical thinking skills and excitement for Computer Science / Computational Thinking, while laying a foundation of fundamental programming concepts. By scaffolding basic concepts like sequencing and algorithms in an unplugged activity, students who are intimidated by computers can still build a foundation of understanding. In this lesson, students will learn how to develop an algorithm and encode it into a program.By "programming" one another to draw pictures, students experience some of the core concepts of programming in a fun and accessible way. The class will start by having students view a video of a simple program demonstrating how to develop instructions for building a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Students will start with simple shapes, and progress to the coding of a specific drawing that other students will then try to replicate (“running the program”). If there is a desire to have a more of a Math slant on the lesson, the drawing could take place on graph paper. Students would then use the coordinates to complete the drawing. 

In this unit, students will delve deeper into the genre of myth to access appropriate standards.  The students will use Greek Mythology as a vehicle to master and apply fiction comprehension skills.  Students will also explore the background of Greek philosophers while applying and mastering nonfiction comprehension skills.  The students will show mastery by completing a Persuasive Writing Performance Based Assessment.

In this unit, students will delve deeper into nonfiction with a novel study titled, I Am Malala.  The students will apply nonfiction comprehension skills and close reading strategies to analyze and explore the challenges of an adolescent girl from a different culture analyze while reading.  The students will show mastery by completing a Persuasive Writing Performance Based Assessment. 

In this unit, students will examine the global topic of refugees.  The students will use nonfiction articles that provide students a background knowledge of the topic.  The articles will be the resources used to support learning of nonfiction VDOE Grade 8 standards. Students will apply comprehension skills daily throughout the unit of study.   The acquired background knowledge will support the second half of the unit as students will take part in a novel study using Refugee.   The students will show mastery by completing a persuasive writing performance based assessment. 

In this unit, students will delve into a novel study for Refugee.  The students will use the novel as a vessel to practice and apply comprehension skills.  Students will also explore the challenges of three adolescents who are all faced with the difficult decisions of having to leave their homes.   The students will show mastery by completing a Persuasive Writing Performance Based Assessment. 

This unit will focus on the not-so-distant future of the students - employment.  Students will analyze the process to identify necessary character traits of a strong employee by reading nonfiction and making connections between their lives and the reading by exploring potential careers.  The unit will culminate with a persuasive essay about the qualities of a good employee.

English Instructional Plan – Using vocabulary skits to connect unfamiliar words by tapping into social emotional memoryAfter being introduced to a series of new words through a cloze reading activity, students will create mind maps (using graphics, word origin maps, and meaningful sentences) to learn a set of words that will be used within a thematic unit. Once students have some time exploring the words, they will be tasked with creating vocabulary skits that connect the words to their personal experiences, so that they will encode the words by tapping into their emotional memory. This activity will include a model lesson, but is intended for teachers to adapt to any set of words. The content of the lesson is best suited for 8th grade