The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

ENGLISH
CLASS 8 – TERM 1 (ACADEMIC YEAR 2023 – 2024)

Week 10

Skills:
The City School Core Values:
- (C1) attentive listening skills
- Freedom - (C1) paraphrasing skills
- (C2) linking denotations and connotations
- (C2) analytical skills
Sustainable Development Goals:
- (C2 – L) application of themes in a text
- (C2 – L) critical thinking
- #4 Quality Education
- (C3) application of all tenses
UN - Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all - (C4) sequencing skills
- (C4) narrative writing skills

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

1 Lesson Activities Engaged in an individual Multimedia
Listening and Speaking Audio: I Have a Dream by M. Luther King learning activity – speech 1.10.1 - I Have A Dream by
1.10.1 Martin Luther King Jr..mp4
Engage effectively in a - After having listened to the speech, students may not Engaged in collaborative
range of individual and only comment on the content of the speech, but also discussions to share ideas, Teacher’s Resource
collaborative learning answer the following questions on the structure of a thoughts, and opinions I Have a Dream - History,
activities to express ideas speech: Background, and Context
and opinions and Received and provide
acknowledge and review Clear Purpose: A successful speech has a clear and feedback on ideas, thoughts, I Have a Dream - Summary
those shared by others by well-defined purpose. The speaker knows what and opinions
providing detailed they want to convey to the audience and tailors the Oral Presentations in Class
feedback. content to achieve that objective.

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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

Vocabulary: Audience Awareness: An effective speech Identified and used in own
former, sweltering, considers the needs, interests, and knowledge level speaking features of a
oppression, oasis, of the audience. The speaker adapts their language, speech
symphony, dropout, dunk, examples, and tone to connect with the listeners.
homeboy, deportment, Strong Opening: The speech begins with a
stevedores, longshoremen compelling and attention-grabbing opening. This
could be an interesting anecdote, a thought-
provoking question, a relevant quote, or a
surprising fact.
Logical Structure: The speech follows a logical and
organized structure, typically including an
introduction, body, and conclusion. The content
flows smoothly, leading the audience through the
main points.
Engaging Content: The speech contains engaging
and relevant content. It may include stories,
examples, statistics, or visual aids to support the
speaker's message and make it memorable.
Clear and Concise Language: The language used in
the speech is clear, concise, and easy to
understand. The speaker avoids jargon or overly
complex terms that might confuse the audience.
Confident Delivery: An effective speech is delivered
with confidence, enthusiasm, and sincerity. The
speaker maintains eye contact with the audience
and uses appropriate gestures and body language.
Appropriate Pace and Tone: The speech is
delivered at a pace that allows the audience to
absorb the information. The tone of the speech
matches the content and conveys the intended
emotions.
Effective Use of Voice: The speaker uses their voice

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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

effectively to emphasize key points, vary the pitch
and tone, and maintain the audience's interest.
Interactivity: A successful speech engages the
audience through interactive elements such as
rhetorical questions, audience participation, or
moments of reflection.
Emotional Appeal: The speech may appeal to the
emotions of the audience, evoking empathy,
compassion, or enthusiasm for the topic.
Memorable Conclusion: The speech concludes with
a strong and memorable closing statement that
reinforces the main message and leaves the
audience with a takeaway.

- In his speech, Martin Luther King talks about the right to

freedom. Along the lines he has established in his speech,
think about what the right to quality education means.
Share your ideas with the rest of the class and discuss
other’s opinions as well
- Listen actively and engage with the speech. Share your
thoughts and feelings on the following points from the
speech:
o “Live out the true meaning of its creed”
o “Table of brotherhood”
o “Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of
injustice”
o “Transform jangling discords into beautiful
symphony of brotherhood”

The teacher may refer to the resources that provide a

detailed context of Martin Luther King’s Speech.

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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

2 Lessons Activities Read with fluency and for Textbook
Reading understanding Oxford International Lower
Oxford International Lower Secondary English 3: Unit 4
1.10.2 (Education) – Autobiography – My Plans for This Class Secondary English 3: Unit 4
Analyse the impact of a Analysed how different (Education) – Autobiography:
specific word choice on Reading Activities: types of words are used for My Plans for This Class. Page 58
meaning (denotative as - While reading, use the non-fiction think pie to make impact in writing to 60
well as connotative). notes on the content and meaning of the text
Identified the difference
- While reading, identify all the powerful words that have
between denotations and Oxford International Lower
been used to create impact in the reading Secondary English 3: Unit 4
connotations
- While reading, highlight all the words whose connotative (Education) – Comprehension.
meaning has been used. For example, “black with anger” Commented on the use of Page 61
does not mean that her eyes turned entirely black, it connotative meanings in a
means that she was angry and her pupils dilated with text
emotion Worksheets
Based on writing on the 1.10.2 - Non-Fiction Think
Writing Activities:
features of the Pie.png
- Pay attention to the teacher’s monologue in the non- autobiographical text
fiction text. Based on the features of his monologue (as
well as the features of a speech from the previous Used words with CENTURY Nuggets
lesson), write your own monologue or speech on one of connotative meanings in Connotations [EK1.06]
the following scenarios: own writing
1. You have been called to stand-in for a teacher
while he/she has to attend to another matter for
ten minutes. The students of Class 5 want to
know more from you – their senior, so you give
them a brief speech of what to expect in the
future
2. You have to rally your own class to prepare a
project on “quality education” that will be

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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

displayed in the school. Convince them to work
together towards the goal through a brief speech
Word Limit: 180 to 210 words
In writing the speech, be sure to encourage learners to use
words with connotative meanings and figurative language for
effect
- Summarise the text read in approximately 120 words
using at least ten connotative words in writing
Extension Task:
- Attempt a comprehension on the text
Unit 4 – Comprehension (A, B, and C)
3 Lessons Activities Continued understand and Worksheets
Grammar through implementation of words 1.10.6 - Can You Sense It
Grammar Acquisition Activities:
Writing with connotative meanings (Activity 1).png
- For each type of tense given below, create and collect
1.10.3, 1.10.4, 1.10.5,
sentences based on a relevant theme (e.g., such as the Differentiated between 1.10.6 - Can You Sense It
and 1.10.6
overall theme of education): negative and positive (Activity 2).png
Understand words
1. Simple Tense (Past, Present, Future) connotations
appropriate to types of
2. Perfect Tense (Past, Present) 1.10.6 - Narrative Purpose and
texts, paying close
3. Perfect Continuous (Past, Present) Identified the different Examples.pdf
attention to connotations
- For each of the types of tenses given above (simple, types of tenses
and denotations.
1.10.6 - Narrative Sequencing
perfect, and perfect continuous) find out the purpose and
Created examples for each Chart.pdf
Connect and use words rules of implementation
type of tense learned earlier
synonyms with positive - Make a bank of verbs and then change them according to and studied 1.10.6 - Sequence
and negative each tense listed above Connectors.pdf
connotations.
Pre-Writing Activities: Used words with
connotative meanings as Student’s Resources

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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

Illustrate use of all tenses - Use the narrative purpose and example handout well as all types of tenses in Grammar Monster - What Are
learned: appended to lead a conversation on why different types own writing Simple Tenses
1. Present Participles of narrative voices are used in writing. Ask students about
the type of voice they are most comfortable writing in and Used sequencing charts and Grammar Monster - What Are
of Verbs
why vocabulary to create flow Perfect Tenses
2. Simple Past and coherency within a
3. Past Perfect - Use the narrative sequencing sheet to draft the plot of the
narrative Britannica - What Are Perfect
4. Past Continuous narrative to be written
Continuous/Progressive Tenses
5. Past Perfect - Use the “Can You Sense It” sheets to read how authors
Wrote fantastical narratives
Continuous use the five senses and descriptions within a narrative and based on the overall theme CENTURY Nuggets
6. Simple Present try to adapt some features of that writing in own work of education Narrative Structure [EK4.05]
7. Present Perfect - Use the sequencing vocabulary to discuss how each word
8. Present Perfect progresses the plot of a story in a certain direction and Past Tense [SPAG3.01]
Continuous then use the vocabulary in own writing
9. Present Continuous Present Tense [SPAG3.02]
Writing Activities:
10. Future
Write a narrative on the importance of quality education in a Future Tense [SPAG3.03]
fantasy setting using one of the following prompts:
Write narratives to In a world where magical academies train young
develop real or imagined wizards, a gifted student discovers a hidden library
experiences using with ancient tomes containing forbidden spells. How
effective techniques,
does this discovery challenge the traditional teachings
descriptive details, and and beliefs of the magical institution?
clear event sequences,
In a kingdom where knowledge is the most potent
and consider how authors
power, a young scholar embarks on a quest to find the
use narratives.
lost Book of Wisdom, said to hold the key to unlocking
unlimited knowledge. Along the way, the scholar
learns the true value of education and the
responsibilities that come with wielding such
knowledge.
At the renowned School of Elemental Arts, a young
student struggles to control their wild and
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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

unpredictable elemental powers. Through the
guidance of an eccentric mentor, the student learns
that true education is not just about mastering skills
but understanding oneself.
In a society where people are born with a magical
mark dictating their destined occupation, a rebellious
teenager challenges the established norms. They
believe that education should be about discovering
one's passion rather than conforming to
predetermined roles.
In a hidden forest, an ancient tree serves as a mystical
school for gifted children who possess a unique bond
with nature. A young student must prove their worth
and protect the forest from dark forces threatening to
exploit its powers.

The teacher may assign the written work using any writing
strategy such as individual work or pair work
In the writing, remember to use some (if not all) types of
tenses as well as words with positive and negative
connotations
Word Limit: 210 to 240 words

2 Lessons Activities Read with fluency and for Activities

Literature meaning
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – Book 2, Chapter 16 1.10.1 - I Have A Dream by
1.10.7 and 1.10.8 Martin Luther King Jr..mp4
Draw inferences such as Pre-Reading Activity: Mapped the elements of a
inferring characters’ - Share prior knowledge of and discuss what is meant by a story that make up the
feelings, thoughts and theme of it Novel
theme. Ask the following questions:
motives from their
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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

actions, and justify 1. What is a theme in a novel? Commented on how A Tale of Two Cities by Charles
inferences with evidence. 2. Which features of a novel contribute to the characters and their actions Dickens. Pages 198 to 209
creation and development of a theme? link to a theme in a story
Identify universal themes 3. Why is there a need for a theme in a novel?
and connect what is read Identified themes in a story Teacher’s Resource
4. Usually, what are themes based on?
to personal experiences. - Think about the previous events and characters in the and elaborated on them A Tale of Two Cities - Study
Glossary: story and make a list of four or five themes in the novel Guide
Answered questions on
“Christian name” - Choose any one theme from the novel already discussed
thematic concerns to do
the baptismal name or and then apply it to real life. How is the theme relevant to with the novel Coping with Trauma and Grief
given name, as the real world?
distinguished from the
Reading Activities:
surname or family name;
first name. - Reading for meaning
- Trace the theme
“catechist”
Writing Activities:
a person who teaches,
especially the principles of Using the understanding of the chapter as well as the rest of
a religion, by the method the novel, write elaborately on one of the themes given below:
of questions and answers.
1. Freedom
2. Grief
3. Loss
Keep in mind:
1. How the plot contributes to the theme
2. How the mood and atmosphere amplify the
theme
3. The characters that are imperative for the
extension of the theme
4. Any dialogue that particularly highlights the
theme

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The City School Network /Head Office/Academics/English – 2023 to 2024/Unit Plans – Class 8/Term 1

Learning Objectives Suggested Activities Success Criteria Resources

5. Any evidence or quote from the text that is
linked to the theme
The question can be phrased as: How does the theme of
_______________ depicted in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles
Dickens?

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