Essentials in Literature
Level 8
This homeschool literature curriculum features a slow, systematic approach for eighth grade students, aged 13 to 14, to learn literary analysis effectively. The step-by-step approach repeated each time a literary work is analyzed effectively teaches students how to approach literature. A complete English/Language Arts course includes both Essentials in Writing and Essentials in Literature for eighth grade.
-
Includes access to ONLINE Student Book and Teacher Handbook (if applicable)
Includes lesson-by-lesson online video instruction for students
Includes 12-month online video lesson access with FREE renewals
Includes 100% free customers service and teacher support
PLEASE NOTE: DIGITAL only versions of Essentials in Literature will NOT include a copy of the novel. Physical copies of the Student Book and Teacher Handbook will only be shipped if selected below.
Order Essentials in Writing only
Order replacement student book & assessment resource books
Writing sentences, additional grammar, mechanics, business letter, paragraphs, writing process for narrative/descriptive/expository/persuasive writing, using effective writing techniques, multi-paragraph compositions, informational report, using figurative language, and other topics.
CORE FOCUSES
- Review Sentences, Sentence Structure (Compound and Complex Sentences), Address Sentence Errors (Fragment and Run On); and Dependent and Independent Clauses
- Grammar (SUPPLEMENTAL): Subject/Predicate (Complete, Simple and Compound Subjects/Predicates), Nouns, Proper Nouns, Action Verbs, Adjectives, Pronouns, Linking Verbs, Possessive Nouns, Subject/Verb Agreement, Adverbs, Prepositional Phrases Appositives, Proper Adjectives – NOTE: Grammar Review is Supplemental and Includes Video Component Only
- Mechanics of Dialogue and Purposeful Dialogue
- Parts of a Paragraph and Writing a Paragraph
- How to Choose an Appropriate Writing Form
- Writing a Business Letter (Includes Format and Composition)
- The Writing Process: Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit and Publish
- Use the Writing Process to Compose Narrative, Descriptive, Expository, Persuasive Writing in Formal Formats Including Paragraph, Essay and Business Letter; and Informal Format such as a Friendly Letter
- Research Project/Paper
- Effective Writing Skills: Strong Details, Transitions, Beginning/Middle/End Concept, Logical Sequence of Events, Variety of Sentence Structure, Use of Figurative Language Including Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole, Imagery, and Vivid Language
- Revision: Word Choice (Use of a Thesaurus), Using Strong Details, a Variety of Sentence Structure in Writing, Figurative Language when Appropriate, and Adding Dialogue when Appropriate
Sample Lesson Video – Level 8
Level 8 – Sample PDFs
Frequently Asked Questions About Level 8 Writing Curriculum
How old are 8th level students?
The general age for students completing Level 8 is 13 or 14 years old. The age can vary depending on if a child has started school early, on time, or is repeating a grade. The age of the student does not delegate if a child can complete this writing course. Instead, we recommend that students have a basic understanding of spelling, grammar, sentences, composition, and the skills taught in Level 7 before beginning.
What is taught in Level 8?
Level 8 will teach students advanced sentence structures to enhance written communication as well as ways to correct common sentence errors, the proper business letter format, the writing process for narrative/descriptive/expository/persuasive/research writing, effective writing techniques, multi-paragraph compositions (essays), informational reports, the use of figurative language, and other topics. Many of the skills developed in previous levels will be used in Level 8 as the student develops their voice as an individual writer. A supplemental grammar review can be added to Level 8, but it is video content only.
What is included in the Student Book and Scoring?
The Student Book helps the student follow along with the video lessons and complete lesson activities.
The Student Book includes:
* Lesson content that accompanies the video lesson
* Lesson activities that accompany the video lesson
* Writing graphic organizers that accompany the video lesson
* How to use the program
* Sample lesson planning
* Sample answers for each lesson
The Essentials in Writing Scoring Service is an additional service add-on that takes the scoring burden off your mind! Our Scoring Team includes a variety of qualified individuals including long-time educators, librarians, and professionals with Bachelor’s degrees in English, and they are ready to take the burden of grading compositions away from you.
Parents of students completing Levels 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of Essentials in Writing are eligible to purchase this service. Offered from August 1 to May 15 of each school year, one composition for each EIW assignment may be submitted for scoring. If purchased after the August 1 start date, services still expire on May 15 of the following year.
The scoring system includes:
* Online access through Canvas by Instructure where the Scoring Services are conducted
* One final composition from each lesson of Essentials in Writing to submit for scoring
* Feedback in the form of a rubric with a score as well as a one-paragraph write-up from their scorer complementing strengths and sharing areas to improve, plus, detailed comments and suggestions within the composition
Can I grade my student papers myself?
Yes. Essentials in Writing provides both scoring checklists and rubrics for your convenience with sample compositions for comparison purposes.
What if I have multiple students?
Additional 8th level writing student books can be purchased to provide a student book for another child/student. The student book does not have additional information and is just another core student book for another student so that each student has their own student book to use.
What is included in the course?
Level 8 concentrates on ideas introduced in previous levels but expands on those ideas to give students new options or avenues when writing.
* Mechanics of Dialogue and Purposeful Dialogue in a Personal Narrative
* Parts of a Paragraph and Writing a Paragraph (Expository, Descriptive, Persuasive, and Compare/Contrast)
* How to Choose an Appropriate Writing Form
* Writing a Business Letter (Includes Format and Composition)
* The Writing Process: Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit, and Publish
* Persuasive and Expository Essay
* Research Paper
Does each course come with worksheets and tests?
The topics covered in each unit will also be covered in the accompanying worksheets.
How much time will students need to complete this course?
The time needed to complete the 8th level writing curriculum is a typical academic year (34 weeks). If students follow the 34-week plan included, they will complete individual lessons and activities during the week; however, because the lessons are broken up into small, daily mini-lessons, students can double up on some lessons and activities and complete the entire course sooner. Each day, students will spend between 15-30 minutes on writing.
Does the Student Book include a daily/weekly course planner?
Essentials in Writing Level 8 includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, course planner geared for middle school level learning.
Is online help available for additional Curriculum questions?
Essentials in Writing offers 100% free curriculum support through texting, Facebook Messenger, online chat, email, and phone calls.
How can I assess their proficiency?
By purchasing the scoring service add-on, parents/teachers will receive the necessary feedback from scorers to determine proficiency in writing.
The Difference Between Digital and Print Student Books
The online version of the curriculum includes all of the required materials for completing a level of Essentials in Writing or Essentials in Literature, but in a digital format. With the online version, all of your materials are in one spot within the member’s dashboard for you to view and print!
The required online materials include:
- Student Book
- Lesson Videos
- Teacher Handbook (EIW Levels 1-10 and EIL 7-9)
For EIW Levels 1-10, you can get a digital Assessment/Resource Booklet as well!
How does this compare to the print version? The print version of the curriculum includes all the online access to the digital materials AND the printed, physical, tangible version of the student books. The printed books are great for students who prefer to complete their assignments directly within an organized, bound book.
It simply comes down to personal preference. Now, families have the added convenience of being able to access their materials in different formats.
Additional Student Level Student Book
Additional Student Book is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing video instruction. This is only a Student Book for an ADDITIONAL student using the same level of video instruction. Please note that the Student Book is not functional without the related video instruction.
About The Scoring Service
Let Essentials in Writing take the scoring burden off your mind! Our Scoring Team includes a variety of qualified individuals, including long-time educators, librarians, and professionals with Bachelor’s degrees in English, and they are ready to take the burden of grading compositions away from you.
Parents of students completing levels 6*, 7*, 8*, 9, 10, 11 or 12 of Essentials in Writing are eligible to purchase this service. (*Second Editions only.) Offered from August 1 to May 15 of each school year, one composition for each EIW assignment may be submitted for scoring. If purchased after August 1 start date, services still expire on May 15 the following year.
How Do The Scoring Services Work?
- Available from August 1 to May 15 (one school year).
- One final composition from each composition lesson of Essentials in Writing may be presented for scoring.
- Students receive a rubric with a score as well as a one-paragraph write-up from their scorer complimenting strengths and sharing areas to improve, plus, detailed comments and suggestions within the composition.
- Scoring Services will be conducted online through Canvas by Instructure.
PLEASE NOTE: Scoring services are for Essentials in Writing only and are not eligible for unconditional money back guarantee.
Read More About Our Scoring Service
Essentials in Writing comes with Online Streaming Video Instruction
- ONLINE STREAMING
12 month access to ONLINE lesson-by-lesson video instruction (Free renewals upon request) - DVD
DVD video lessons can be added for $45.00 plus shipping (This includes access to online streaming as well)
Analyzing fiction, nonfiction, novel, and poetry/figurative language.
Unit 1: Fiction (Short Stories)
- Fiction unit terms and explanation
- 6 short stories (application)
- 1 summative assessment
Unit 2: Nonfiction (Short Literary Works)
- Nonfiction unit terms and explanation
- 6 nonfiction works (application)
- 1 summative assessment
Unit 3: Novel
- 1 Novel (literary analysis application)
- 1 summative assessment
- 1 major writing activity
Unit 4: Figurative Language/Poetry
- Figurative Language/Poetry Unit terms and explanation
- 6 units of up to 8 literary works (application)
- 1 summative assessment
Sample Lesson Video – Level 8
Level 8 – Sample PDFs
Frequently Asked Questions About Level 8 Essentials in Literature
What is included in the course?
Essentials in Literature Level 8 breaks down into four units with each unit focusing on a different aspect of literature. Unit One uses short story fiction to explain fiction terms and includes six short stories (application) and one summative assessment. Unit Two uses short nonfiction works to define terms and includes six nonfiction works (application) and one summative assessment. Unit Three centers around one novel (literary analysis application) with one summative assessment and one major writing activity. Unit Four is the Figurative Language/Poetry Unit with a full explanation of terms, six units of up to eight literary works (application), and one summative assessment.
How are tests and assignments graded?
Scoring is for Essentials in Writing only, and there is no scoring for Essentials in Literature. The literature curriculum provides parents with scoring guides found in the answer key that include sample answers for each activity.
How much time will students need to complete Essentials in Literature?
The Essentials in Literature follows the same 34-week timeline as Essentials in Writing, but students can work faster than the intended timeline to finish the course sooner. Each day, students will spend 15-40 minutes on literature.
Does the Curriculum include a daily/weekly curriculum planner?
Essentials in Literature Level 8 includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, lesson planner geared for middle school level learning.
Will I need to purchase additional reading material for this curriculum?
Shorter works for Units One, Two, and Four can be found online. Instructions for finding literary works are given in the Teacher Handbook. The chosen novel for Unit Three is included with the purchase of Essentials in Literature Level 7 if the “Digital +Print” option is chosen. If using the Digital-Only curriculum, you will need to purchase a copy of the novel or obtain a copy from a lending source.
What is included in the bundle?
The bundle for Level 8 includes both Essentials in Writing and Essentials in Literature. The student book and video content are included in the bundle price.
Difference between the writing student book and literature student book?
The student books include all written assignments and additional instructional material. Essentials in Writing Student Book also includes graphic organizers, writing prompts, and source materials. The Essentials in Literature Student Book includes text covering background and author information, unit assessments, and additional reading material. At the high school level, Essentials in Literature and Essentials in Writing, used together, satisfy the components of one English/Language Arts high school credit.
The Difference Between Digital and Print Student Book
The online version of the curriculum includes all of the required materials for completing a level of Essentials in Writing or Essentials in Literature, but in a digital format. With the online version, all of your materials are in one spot within the member’s dashboard for you to view and print!
The required online materials include:
- Student Book
- Lesson Videos
- Teacher Handbook (EIW Levels 1-10 and EIL 7-9)
For EIW Levels 1-10, you can get a digital Assessment/Resource Booklet as well!
How does this compare to the print version? The print version of the curriculum includes all the online access to the digital materials AND the printed, physical, tangible version of the student books. The printed books are great for students who prefer to complete their assignments directly within an organized, bound book.
It simply comes down to personal preference. Now, families have the added convenience of being able to access their materials in different formats.
Additional Student Level Student Book
This is only a Student Book for an ADDITIONAL student using the same level of video instruction. Please note that the Student Book is not functional without the related video instruction.
Scoring Services are for Essentials in Writing only.
Essentials in Writing comes with Online Streaming Video Instruction
- ONLINE STREAMING
12 month access to ONLINE lesson-by-lesson video instruction (Free renewals upon request) - DVD
DVD video lessons can be added for $25.00 plus shipping (This includes access to online streaming as well)
Not sure which level is right for your student? Use the level wizard.
Not sure which level is right for your student? Use the level wizard.
