Grade 8 - Comprehend and Respond (Comprehension)

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will demonstrate their understanding of written, oral, and visual communications.

It is expected that students will:

demonstrate an understanding of the main ideas, events, or themes of a variety of novels, stories, poetry, other print material, and electronic media
locate and interpret details in stories, articles, novels, poetry, or non-print media to respond to a range of tasks
organize details and information about material they have read, heard, or viewed using a variety of written or graphic forms
interpret and report on information obtained from more than one source to inform others
describe the purpose of specific works of communication and explain how their key features aid understanding
explain the motivation of the characters in works of communication, providing evidence from the text of each work

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Comprehend and Respond (Comprehension) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

To become more adept at interpreting what they read, listen to, and view, students need opportunities for in-depth exploration of a wide range of communications where they examine the techniques that authors and presenters use to organize and convey meaning.

Using a selection the class is studying, ask students to examine the motivation behind a character's behaviour by formulating four or five thoughtful questions to ask the character if that were possible. Have students develop their own questions and then return to the text to try to figure out what the character's answers might be.
Introduce students to the use of literary devices, including personification, allusion, and alliterative language. Then ask students to examine the lyrics from popular songs to see how literary devices are used in the everyday world. Invite them to present examples and explain to the class which devices their selections illustrate.
To help students recognize logical sequence, cut up an essay, technical article, short story, or poem into parts (e.g., paragraphs, sections, stanzas, lines) and distribute complete sets to small groups of students. Ask the groups to reconstruct the selections and then compare their arrangements and discuss any differences. Use prompts such as:
- How does the order of the parts affect the whole?
- How does order affect our understanding of the piece?
Discuss with the class how studying the way an author orders a selection can help students understand the work and learn to sequence their own writing.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Students can demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways, including writing, oral presentations, discussions, use of electronic media, informal drama, and visual representations such as webs, posters, and cartoons.

After students have read a novel, a play, or a group of shorter selections, check on their knowledge by asking each student, in turn, to offer one piece of information (e.g., The author's name was __________, The main character was __________, The ending is sad). Continue until no one can think of any more information. Allow students to challenge the accuracy or uniqueness of others' responses.
To check on students' comprehension of fiction they have read, viewed, or heard, pose questions such as:
- What questions do you still have?
- Which character, image, or event stands out most clearly in your mind? Why?
- Do you think you would like the author (director, playwright)? Why (why not)?
- In a movie, what actors would you suggest to play the main characters? Why?
Look for accuracy, thoroughness, insight, and specific references to the original works.
When students develop webs, mind maps, or other visual representations that summarize print or non-print communications, look for evidence that they are able to:
- focus their work around key themes or aspects
- include relevant and accurate details
- make clear and logical connections among elements
- address all important aspects
- offer some insights or interpretations