Common Planner
K–12 Standards

8th Grade

Other Michigan Alternative Content Standards - English Language Arts sets

Accessing Narrative Text

  • 1

    Cite text to support inferences from stories and poems.EE.RL.8.1

  • 2

    Recount an event related to the theme or central idea, including details about character and setting.EE.RL.8.2

  • 3

    Identify which incidents in a story or drama lead to subsequent action.EE.RL.8.3

  • 4

    Determine connotative meanings of words and phrases in a text.EE.RL.8.4

  • 5

    Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts.EE.RL.8.5

  • 6

    Determine the difference in the points of view of a character and the audience or reader in a text with suspense or humor.EE.RL.8.6

  • 7

    Compare and contrast a text version of a story, drama, or poem with an audio, video, or live version of the same text.EE.RL.8.7

  • 9

    Compare and contrast themes, patterns of events, or characters across two or more stories or dramas.EE.RL.8.9

  • 10

    Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaged in reading or listening to stories, dramas, and poetry.EE.RL.8.10

Accessing Informational Text

  • 1

    Cite text to support inferences from informational text.EE.RI.8.1

  • 2

    Provide a summary of a familiar informational text.EE.RI.8.2

  • 3

    Recount events in the order they were presented in the text.EE.RI.8.3

  • 4

    Determine connotative meanings of words and phrases in a text.EE.RI.8.4

  • 5

    Locate the topic sentence and supporting details in a paragraph.EE.RI.8.5

  • 6

    Determine an author’s purpose or point of view and identify examples from text that describe or support it.EE.RI.8.6

  • 7

    Determine whether a topic is best presented as audio, video, multimedia, or text.EE.RI.8.7

  • 8

    Determine the argument made by an author in an informational text. EE.RI.8.8

  • 9

     Identify where two different texts on the same topic differ in their interpretation of the details. EE.RI.8.9

  • 10

    Demonstrate understanding while actively reading or listening to literary nonfiction. EE.RI.8.10

Vocabulary Acquisition and Usage

  • 4

    Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings: 

    1. a

      Use context to determine which word is missing from a content-area text.EE.L.8.4.a

    2. b

      Use frequently occurring root words (e.g., like) and the words that result when affixes are added (e.g., liked, disliked, liking).EE.L.8.4.b

    3. c

      Seek clarification and meaning support when unfamiliar words are encountered while reading or communicating.EE.L.8.4.c

  • 5

    Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use: 

    1. a

      Demonstrate understanding of the use of multiple-meaning words.EE.L.8.5.a

    2. b

      Use knowledge of common words to understand the meaning of compound and complex words in which they appear (e.g., birdhouse, household).EE.L.8.5.b

    3. c

      Use descriptive words to add meaning when writing and communicating.EE.L.8.5.c

Writing: Text Types and Purposes

  • 1

    Write claims about topics or texts. A. Introduce the claim and provide reasons or pieces of evidence to support it. B. Write reasons to support a claim about a topic or text.EE.W.8.1

  • 2

    Write to share information supported by details: A. Introduce a topic clearly and write to convey ideas and information about it including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. C. Write complete thoughts as appropriate. D. Use domain-specific vocabulary related to the topic. F. Provide a closing.EE.W.8.2

  • 3

    Write about events or personal experiences:

    1. a

      Write a narrative about a real or imagined experience introducing the experience, at least one character, and two or more events.EE.W.8.3.a

    2. c & e

      C. Use temporal words (e.g., first, then, next) to signal order. E. Provide a closing.EE.W.8.3.c & e

  • 4

    Produce writing that is appropriate for the task, purpose, or audience.EE.W.8.4

  • 5

    With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan before writing and revise own writing. EE.W.8.5

  • 9

    Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. A. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 8 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast themes, patterns of events, or characters across two or more stories or dramas.”). B. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 8 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., “Use relevant and sufficient evidence for supporting the claims and argument.”).EE.W.8.9

  • 10

    Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences.EE.W.8.10

Conventions of Standard English

  • 2

    Demonstrate understanding of conventions of Standard English: 

    1. a

      Use end punctuation and capitalization when writing a sentence or question.EE.L.8.2.a

    2. c

      Spell words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of letter-sound relationships and/or common spelling patterns.EE.L.8.2.c

Speaking and Listening

  • 1

    Engage in collaborative discussions. A. Come to discussions prepared to share information previously studied. B. Follow simple rules and carry out assigned roles during discussions. C. Remain on the topic of the discussion when asking or answering questions or making other contributions to a discussion. D. Acknowledge new information expressed by others in a discussion and relate it to own ideas.EE.SL.8.1

  • 2

    Determine the purpose of information presented in graphic, oral, visual, or multimodal formats.EE.SL.8.2

  • 3

    Determine the argument made by the speaker on a topic. EE.SL.8.3

  • 4

    Present descriptions, facts, or details supporting specific points made on a topic.EE.SL.8.4

  • 6

     Adapt communication to a variety of contexts and tasks. EE.SL.8.6

Using Language

  • 1

    Demonstrate Standard English grammar and usage when communicating: 

    1. b

      Form and use the simple verb tenses (e.g., I walked, I walk, I will walk).EE.L.8.1.b

    2. c

      Use appropriate verbs to match nouns.EE.L.8.1.c

  • 3

    Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. A. Use to-be verbs (am are, is was, were, be, become, became) accurately when writing and communicating.EE.L.8.3

  • 6

    Use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases across contexts. EE.L.8.6

Research and Inquiry

  • b

    Write to share information supported by details: Write one or more facts or details related to the topic.EE.W.8.2.b

  • d

    Write about events or personal experiences: Use words that describe the feelings of characters or provide other sensory information about the setting, experiences, or events.EE.W.8.3.d

  • 6

    Use technology, including the Internet, to produce writing to interact and collaborate with others. EE.W.8.6

  • 7

    Conduct short research projects to answer and pose questions based on one source of information. EE.W.8.7

  • 8

    Select quotes providing relevant information about a topic from multiple print or digital sources. EE.W.8.8

  • 5

    Include multimedia and visual information into presentations. EE.SL.8.5

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 8
Where can I read the official document?
MDE Essential Elements

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Alternative Content Standards - English Language Arts standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

More Michigan Alternative Content Standards - English Language Arts sets

Alternative Content Standards - English Language Arts