Name _____________________________________
Walters English 8 Larkspur Middle School
If you have no computer at home, please use the public library for these websites. It is an essential skill for you to know
how to use the computer to your academic benefit! Get signed by parent for extra credit:
_____________________________________________________
Important websites for home:
1.
English homework and practice:
Noredink.com - listed under my class code Bell_____ Code ___________________
Student’s user name ________________________ password hint: ______________
2.
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/practice_items/index.shtml#writing
This lists different practice items that you can retake and gives a video demonstration of the technology
enhanced practice items. These questions confused MANY students last year, so please take time to practice
them!
The following are specific activities for each SOL standard in 8th grade English. Just start at one and work your
way through them!
SOL
Activity
8.4a- identify and analyze author's use
of figurative language (simile,
hyperbole, personification, metaphor)
8.4b- Use context, structure, and
connotations to determine meaning of
words/phrases
8.4c- Use roots, affixes, cognates,
synonyms and antonyms to determine
meaning of words
8.4d- Use dictionaries, thesauruses, and
glossaries to determine definition,
pronunciation, etymology, spelling, and
usage of words
Fiction SOLs below
8.5a-explain the use of symbols and
figurative language
8.5b-make inferences and draw
conclusion based on explicit and
implied information
8.5c-explain how authors use
characters, conflict, point of view,
voice, and tone to create meaning
8.5d-understand the author's use of
conventional elements within a variety
of genres
8.5e-compare/contrast the author's use
of word choice, dialogue, form, rhyme,
Figurative Language Quiz (no sign in required); Simile/Metaphor/Personific
Language Jeopardy 1
Figurative Language Jeopardy 2; Figurative Language Flashcards Practice
Using Context Clues
Connotation/Denotation Practice
Greek and Latin Roots; Prefixes/Suffixes/Root Words; Roots and Prefixes; G
Roots Quiz (no sign in required)
Dictionary Skills; Dictionary Practice
Finding New Ways to Say Something (thesaurus)
Analogies
Reference Skills 1; Reference Skills 2; Using References
General Reading Comprehension Practice
8.5a- Explaining Personification; Explaining Metaphors; Simile Starters; Co
Figurative Language
8.5b- Inferences battleship; Inferences/Conclusions Millionaire; Inference R
Interactive inferences/conclusion lesson
8.5c--Collection of sites to assist in review of story elements, Elements of Fi
Crossword
8.5d- Genres
8.5e--Compare/Contrast Practice
rhythm, and voice
8.5f-compare/contrast authors' styles
8.5g-identify and ask questions that
clarify various viewpoints
8.5h-identify the main idea
8.5i-summarize text relating supporting
details
8.5j-indentify author's organizational
pattern using textual clues, such as
transitional words/phrases
8.5k-identify cause and effect
relationships
Nonfiction SOLs below
8.6b-make inferences and draw
conclusions based on explicit and
implied information using text-based
evidence
8.6c-analyze the author's viewpoint
(excluding qualifications and impact)
8.6d-analyze the author's use of text
structure and word choice
8.6e-analyze details for relevance and
accuracy
8.6f-differentiate between fact and
opinion
8.6g-identify the main idea
8.6h-summarize the text identifying
supporting details
8.6i-identify author's organizational
pattern using textual clues
8.6j-idenfity cause and effect
relationships
8.6k-evaluate, organize, and synthesize
information for use in written and oral
formats
8.5f--refer to general reading comprehension, Author's Viewpoint
8.5g--refer to general reading comprehension
8.5h-- Collection of Activities for Main Idea (may include nonfiction practic
8.5i--Summarizing; Summarizing 2;
8.5j-- refer to general reading comprehension practice
8.5k-- Cause and Effect Practice 1; Cause and Effect Matching
General Comprehension Practice for Nonfiction
8.6b--Nonfiction-based inferences/conclusions
8.6c--refer to general comprehension practice, Author's Viewpoint (may inc
8.6d--Use of Text Features
8.6e--refer to general comprehension practice and/or main idea and details
8.6f--Collection of activities for Fact and Opinion
8.6g- Main Idea Practice, More Main Idea/Details practice
8.6h--Summarizing Practice for Nonfiction/Informational Texts
8.6i--Organizational Structure
8.6j--Cause and Effect key words matching; Cause and Effect Jeopardy; Cau
practice
Writing 8 SOL Review
Practice Tools for the VDOE (Virginia Department of Education)
Can be found in this link. Students should visit both the grade 8 multiple choice practice AND the grade 8 direct writin
Practice Writing Prompts : Follow the link to a PDF with possible prompts for the Writing 8 SOL. Try a few and see
SOL
Activity
6.8b, 7.8d- Use subject-verb agreement with intervening Quiz 1
phrase and clauses.
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
6.8c, 7.8c- Use pronoun-antecedent agreement to
include indefinite pronouns
6.8d, 8.8d- Maintain consistent verb tense across
paragraphs
6.8e- Eliminate double negatives
6.8f, 7.8g, 8.8f- Use quotation marks with dialogue
6.8g- Choose adverbs to describe verbs, adjectives, and
other adverbs
6.8h, 7.8h, 8.8g- Use correct spelling for frequently used
words
7.8b- Choose appropriate adjectives and adverbs to
enhance writing
7.8e- Edit for verb tense consistency and point of view
8.8b- Use and punctuate correctly varied sentence
structures to include conjunctions and transition words
8.8c- Choose the correct case and number for pronouns
in prepositional phrases with compound objects
8.8e- Use comparative and superlative degrees in
adverbs and adjectives
Additional Practice 1
Additional Practice 2
Additional Practice 3
Additional Practice 4
Grammar Bytes: Pronoun Agreement (will need to
scroll to middle of page to find this section of exercises)
Maintaining for Tense Consistency
Practice for Quotation Marks
Adverbs
Grammar Bytes: Word Choice (will need to scroll to bottom
section of exercises)
Adjectives
Editing for Tense Consistency
Commas with Fanboys (coordinating conjunctions)
Commas with Introductory Elements
Fill in the commas
Prepositions Practice Exercises
Comparatives