CBSE Class 8 Syllabus for English

Background

Activities and materials that promote language growth in the early years have been described in some detail in the preceding section. Work at the upper primary level providing a basis for action and interventions in schools is described below. In general, vocabulary development through reading extensively with comprehension and interest and writing activities of a higher order than hitherto developed are the main goals of teaching/learning at this stage.

Objectives

The general objectives at this stage are:

♦ to negotiate their own learning goals and evaluate their own progress, edit, revise, review their own work
♦ to understand, enjoy and appreciate a wide range of texts representing different cultures, ways of living
♦ to be able to articulate individual/personal responses effectively
♦ to use language and vocabulary appropriately in different contexts and social encounters
♦ to be able to organise and structure thoughts in writing/speech
♦ to develop production skills ( fluency and accuracy in speaking and writing)
♦ to use dictionary suitable to their needs
♦ to understand and enjoy jokes, skits, children’s films, anecdotes and riddles

At the end of this stage learners will be able to do the following:
♦ understand the central idea and locate details in the text (prescribed and non-prescribed)
♦ use his/her critical/thinking faculty to read between the lines and go beyond the text
♦ narrate simple experiences, describe objects and people, report events to peers
♦speak accurately with appropriate pauses and clear word/sentence stress to be intelligible in familiar social contexts
♦ write simple messages, invitations, short paragraphs, letters (formal and informal) applications, simple narrative and descriptive pieces, etc.
♦ use his/ her proficiency in English to explore and study other areas of knowledge through print and non-print media
♦ to undertake small projects on a regular basis

Language Items

At the upper primary level, knowledge of grammar remains a process of discovery combined with a conscious effort to explicitly understand and name grammatical items. However, these should not be taken out of contexts to be treated as discrete teaching items. 

In addition to consolidating the items learnt earlier, the following will be introduced and
recycled through the upper primary stage.
- determiners                           - passivisation
- linking words                         - adjectives (comparative and superlative forms)
- adverbs (place and types)       - modal auxiliaries
- tense forms                           - word order in sentence types
- clauses                                  - reported speech

Methods and Techniques
Classroom interaction would be such as to promote optimal learner participation leading to an urge to use language both in speech and writing. The selection of actual classroom procedures is left to the discretion of the teacher. However, the following are recommended:
- Role play
- Dramatisation
- Reading aloud
- Recitation of rhymes, poems and making observations on a given topic/theme
- Telling and retelling stories, anecdotes, and jokes
- Discussion, debate
- Simple projects
- Interpreting pictures, sketches, cartoons
- Activities, tasks, and language games
- Pair work, group work, and short assignments both individual and group
- Exploring the electronic media

SCHEDULE FOR FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT- I 50 Marks
MCQ/ OBJECTIVE- [30 Marks]
HOLIDAY HOMEWORK- [15 Marks]
NOTE BOOK SUBMISSION- [5 Marks]

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT- II 50 Marks
UT- [30 Marks]
MCQ- [10 Marks]
ACTIVITY - [5 Marks]
NOTE BOOK SUBMISSION- [5 Marks]
FORMATIVE ASSES

SMENT- III 50 Marks
UT- [30 Marks]
MCQ- [10 Marks]
ACTIVITY - [5 Marks]
NOTE BOOK SUBMISSION- [5 Marks]

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT- IV 50 Marks
MCQ- [20 Marks]
NOTE BOOK SUBMISSION- [5 Marks]
ORAL ASSESSMENT/ ACTIVITY- [25 Marks]

 

SYLLABUS
HALF YEARLY
MCB : 1. The Palindrome
2. Michelangelo –
A Portrait
3. The Dance Lesson
4. The Day I Rescued Albert Einstein‟s Compass
5. The Microscope
6. Two Aces to Success

Grammar : 1. Subject verb Agreement
2. Finites and Non-finites
3. Modals
4. Conjunctions
Integrated Grammar (Editing / Omission, Jumbled sentences and all that is done in the class)

Writing Skills :
1. Debate writing
2. Story Writing
3. Informal Letters
4. Notice Writing
Proverbs- P1to P19    English is Fun- 1 to 6
Comprehension Passage and Poem

ANNUAL EXAM
MCB :
1. The Tyger
2. The Poles in Peril
3. After Twenty Years
4. Imagination
5. The Last Stone Mason

Grammar : 1. Integrated Grammar
2. Editing / Omission, Jumbled sentences and all that is done in the class
3. Subject Verb Agreement
5. Finites and Non-finites
6. Modals
7. Conjunctions
4. Types of Sentences
5. Active & Passive Voice
6. Direct & Indirect Speech

Writing Skills :
1. Bio-sketch
2. Formal Letter Writing
3. Diary Entry
4. E-mail Writing
5. Story Writing
6. Informal Letters
7. Notice Writing
Proverbs- P1 to P37     English is Fun- 1 to 11
Comprehension Passage and Poem

MODULES
MODULE 1
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 5 THE MAGIC OF WORDS
The Palindrome
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Gift of the Magi
GRAMMAR : Subject – Verb Agreement
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 68-71

MODULE 2
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 ART & CULTURE
: Michelangelo – A Portrait
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Gift of the Magi
WRITING SKILLS : Story- writing
VOCABULARY : Synonyms
GRAMMAR : Subject Verb Agreement

MODULE 3
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 ART & CULTURE
: The Dance Lesson (Poem)
WRITING SKILLS : Debate
GRAMMAR : Subject Verb Agreement

MODULE 4
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 4 OF INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
: The Day I Rescued Albert Einstein‟s Compass
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Last Leaf
GRAMMAR : Finites and Non Finites
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 71-78

MODULE 5
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 4 OF INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
: The Microscope (Poem)
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Last Leaf
WRITING SKILLS : Informal Letter

MODULE 6
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 6 THE LADDER OF SUCCESS
: Two Aces to Success
WRITING SKILLS : Notice writing
GRAMMAR : Conjunctions
GRAMMAR PLUS : Conjunctions -Page No. 153-158

MODULE 7
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 6 THE MAGIC OF WORDS
: Adiva
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : An Unfinished Story
WRITING SKILLS : E-mail
GRAMMAR : Modals
GRAMMAR PLUS : Modals -Page No. 84-90

MODULE 8
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 7 IN THE NAME OF PEACE
: Songbird Without Wings
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : An Unfinished Story
GRAMMAR : Editing / omission

MODULE 9
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Pendulum
WRITING SKILLS : E-mail
GRAMMAR : Types of Sentences
GRAMMAR PLUS : Types of sentences -Page No. 5-17

Revision for Half Yearly Exams

MODULE 10
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 8 HEAL THE EARTH
: The Tyger
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Pendulum
WRITING SKILLS : Bio-sketch

MODULE 11
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 3 HEAL THE EARTH
: The Poles in Peril
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Cop and the Anthem
WRITING SKILLS : Diary Entry

MODULE 12
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : The Cop and the Anthem
WRITING SKILLS : Diary Entry
GRAMMAR : Active Passive voice
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 109-115

MODULE 13
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 5 ADVENTURE EXPRESS
: After Twenty Years
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : Memoirs of a Yellow Dog

MODULE 14
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 5 ADVENTURE & MYSTERY
: Imagination
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : Memoirs of a Yellow Dog
GRAMMAR : Direct – Indirect Speech
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 117-121

MODULE 15
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : Mammon and the Archer
WRITING SKILLS : Formal Letter
GRAMMAR : Direct & Indirect Speech

MODULE 16
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 ART & CULTURE
: The Last Stone Mason
100 SELECTED
STORIES- O HENRY : Mammon and the Archer

MODULE 17

Revision for Final Exams

OBJECTIVES

MODULE 1
Contents
Main Course Book : Unit – 6 THE MAGIC OF WORDS

THE PALINDROME
Literature Reader : Twelfth Night
Grammar : Subject –Verb Agreement
Grammar Plus : Page No. 57, 58, 59
- Learning Objectives: To facilitate oral exercise and test the spoken skills of the learner.Exposure to a wide variety of reading styles to provide practice in reading skills.
- Speaking Skills: Introduction to the unit through classroom discussion on the theme. Warming up activity as group work and filling information about the topic.
- Listening Skills: Model reading of the test for understanding and appreciating the theme of the lesson – Seventy And Still Quacking
- Language Skills: Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement to be given and explained.Grammar exercises based on the topic to be done. Grammar Plus exercises as class work and for practice.

MODULE 2
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 ART & CULTURE
: Michelangelo – A Portrait
LITERATURE READER : Twelfth Night
WRITING SKILLS : Story- writing
VOCABULARY ENHANCEMENT : Synonyms

Learning Objectives:
To practice reading skills, both intensive and extensive.
To learn and use the writing skill creatively.
Spoken language used by learners to facilitate their speaking skills

Methodology & Activities:
- Reading Skills: Learn relevant information from the text.
Reading extensively to consolidate reading skills, areas of skimming and scanning to be focused on.

- Spoken Skills : Reinforced through class room discussion.
- Writing Skills : Creative writing activity – original composition on a given theme.
Reference – to- context exercise based on the text.
Vocabulary Development: Usage of Synonyms, new terms learnt.

MODULE 3
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 ART & CULTURE
The Dance Lesson (Poem)
LITERATURE READER : Merchant of Venice
WRITING SKILLS : Story Writing
GRAMMAR : Revision of Tenses

- Learning Objectives: Reading skills of the learners to be consolidated through silent reading and model reading of the poem in class.
Spoken skills of learners to be tested and updated through various exercises facilitating self expression.

- Methodology: Listening to the model reading of the poem for stress, intonation and to facilitate enjoyment of the poem.
Written work through class exercise and assignments on the chapters.
- Language: Extensive notes on the types and usage of modals through exercises in class.
- Writing Skills: Creative writing – to write a composition based on guidelines within a prescribed word limit

MODULE 4
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 4 OF INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
: The Day I Rescued Albert Einstein’s Compass
LITERATURE READER : Merchant of Venice
GRAMMAR : Finites and Non Finites
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 61-66

- Learning Objectives: Listening skills enhanced through model reading and oral exercises.
Spoken skills of the learners consolidated through various activities like group discussions, loud and silent reading.
Discussion for oral practice and presentation of ideas.
Written work for improving expression and style of writing.

- Methodology: Silent reading of the text in the class
Discussion on the content of the chapter. Oral comprehension exercise based on the text.
- Language Skills: Learning usage and application of rules related to Finite and Nonfinite verbs.
Exercises in note-book and Grammar Plus to be done.

MODULE 5
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 4 OF INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
: The Microscope (Poem)
LITERATURE READER : Merchant of Venice
WRITING SKILLS : Informal Letter

- Learning Objectives: To practice reading and listening skills for effective communication.
Reading extensively to consolidate reading skills, areas of skimming and scanning to be focused on.
Corresponding written work based on reading and listening activities for reinforcement.

- Writing Skills:
Practice of writing skills through written work on the text, Learners are taught the format and are told the difference between a formal and an informal letter.

Reading Skills:
Silent reading activity for enjoyment of the text.
Loud reading for oral comprehension.

Speaking Skills: Group discussion on the theme: “Do we really fail to recognize a genius initially”?
- Language: Extensive notes on the types and usage of each through exercises in class.

MODULE 6
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 LADDER OF SUCCESS
: To Aces to Success
WRITING SKILLS : Notice writing
GRAMMAR : Conjunctions

- Learning Objectives:
Practice reading of text and skim the text for relevant information.
Refine writing to express ideas in a simple lucid style and to practice various forms of the writing skill.

Methodology:

- Speaking Skills: Group discussion through brain storming activity to stimulate interest in the lesson.
- Reading Skills: Silent reading of the lesson to be followed by dictionary game.
- Writing Skills: Answering questions from the text.Rewriting information in simple language in notice form.
- Language Skills: Joining short sentences from newspaper articles to use conjunctions appropriately.Grammar Plus exercises and assignments attempted by the learners.

MODULE 7
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 6 THE MAGIC OF WORDS
Advia
LITERATURE READER : A Midsummer’s Night Dream
GRAMMAR : Modals
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No.77 to 86

- Learning Objectives: To achieve and enjoy the correct tone and manner of the poem & to access its style.
Spoken skills of the learner tested and updated through various exercises facilitating selfexpression.
Corresponding written work based on reading, listening activities for reinforcement.To learn and use conjunctions correctly.

Methodology

- Reading Skills: The lesson will be read aloud and learners will repeat in the same tone and manner.
- Speaking Skills: Group discussion on the content of the lesson.
- Writing Skills: Reference to context exercise as written class work and question answers on the lesson.

MODULE 8
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 8 IN THE NAME OF PEACE
Songbird without wings
LITERATURE READER : A Midsummer’s Night Dream
WRITING SKILLS : E-mail

Learning Objectives:
To reinforce the skill of speaking fluently and presenting ideas in a clear and coherent manner.

Methodology:

- Speaking and listening skills: Brain st response to the theme of „War and Peace‟o.rming session in class to initiate learners‟ Learners to share their own (if any) such experience and listen to others‟ ideas, view-points ,and experiences.
- Writing Skills: Answers related to textual questions along with Reference to contexts for detailed understanding of the text.
- Reading Skills: Silent and loud reading of the prose extract followed by oral comprehension.

MODULE 9
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 7 : IN THE NAME OF PEACE
: Thank You, Mr. Chips!
LITERATURE READER : Macbeth
GRAMMAR : Types of Sentences

REVISION FOR HALF YEARLY EXAMINATIONS

Learning Objectives:
Exposure to a wide variety of reading styles to provide practice in reading skills.
To give a revision of reading, speaking and writing skills through oral, written and comprehension exercises. Refine writing skills to express ideas in a simple style and to practice various forms of the writing skills.

Methodology:
Assignment exercises given to the learners.
Practice exercises in Grammar to be given for reinforcement. Class tests held to gauge the learners‟ comprehension of the literature section.
Newspaper, magazines etc. used to ameliorate the reading skills of the learners.
- Writing Skills: Answering questions from the text. Rewriting information in simple language in Postcard form.


MODULE 10
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 1 HEAL THE EARTH
: The Tyger (Poem)
LITERATURE READER : Romeo & Juliet
WRITING SKILLS : Bio-sketch

- Reading Skills: Reading for pleasure and to access the style of the poem.
Loud reading to achieve the correct tone and manner.
- Speaking Skills: Discussion in points on the various aspects of the poem. Significance of the theme, style and content. Answering relevant questions based on the poem.
- Listening Skills: Model reading of the story „Dusk‟ to be listened to by the learner.
- Writing Skills: Learners will attempt a class exercise of writing answers to inferential questions.

MODULE 11
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 6 HEAL THE EARTH
: The Poles in Peril
LITERATURE READER : Romeo & Juliet
WRITING SKILLS : Diary Entry

Learning Objectives:
Practice reading of the text and skim the text for relevant information.
Interpret, analyse the text and practice creative writing.

Methodology:
- Reading Skills: Silent reading of the text to be followed by class discussion on the theme of the story. Loud reading for highlighting relevant details of the story.
- Speaking Skills: Brainstorming activity class / oral comprehension questions based on the text. Oral narration of the story in sequential order.
- Listening Skills: Listening to model reading and attempting a class exercise based on their listening to a passage from the text.
- Writing Skills: Vocabulary enhancement exercise through Dictionary game. Writing answers for short textual questions.
Attempting Diary Entry.

MODULE 12
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 3 THE LADDER OF SUCCESS
: Don’t Quit (Poem)
LITERATURE READER : Julius Ceasar
GRAMMAR : Active- Passive Voice
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 87-92

- Learning Objectives: To emphasize and practice public speaking on the theme and to facilitate discussion.
Extensive reading for acquiring knowledge and information about a particular subject.
Developing the fine art of expressing ideas, options in a simple lucid style.

- Methodology:
Loud reading of the extract by the teacher followed by silent reading for comprehending the context of the lesson. Brainstorming session to facilitate group discussion in class to students‟ interest in the text.
Recap of Active-Passive Voice done with the help of practice exercise done in the class.

MODULE 13
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 5 ADVENTURE EXPRESS
: After Twenty Years
LITERATURE READER : Julius Ceasar

Methodology:
- Reading Skills: Loud reading of the text for effect, lucidity, emphasis, tone and correct pronunciation by the teacher. Silent reading by the learner to comprehend the meaning
of the text and to appreciate its beauty.
- Speaking Skills: Brainstorming session on the text‟s theme. Class discussion eliciting variety of responses towards the theme, meaning and context.
- Listening Skills: Listening attentively to the model reading of the extract from the lesson to be followed by comprehension questions based on the same.
- Writing Skills: Comprehension questions based on the text. Reference to context exercises, inferential questions from the text and text- based word- building exercises.
To write a short story based on guidelines within a prescribed word limit.

MODULE 14
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 5 ADVENTURE & MYSTERY
: Imagination (Poem)
GRAMMAR : Direct – Indirect Speech
GRAMMAR PLUS : Page No. 94-98

- Learning Objectives: To reinforce the skill of speaking fluently and presenting ideas in a clear and coherent manner.
Reading extensively to consolidate reading skills, areas of skimming and scanning to be focused.

Methodology:
- Listening Skills: Loud model reading of the lesson by the teacher followed by silent
reading by learners for better understanding of the text.
- Speaking Skills: Students to come up with various things they imagine.
- Grammar: Exercise based in reported speech given in Grammar Plus to be attempted as class work. Reporting someone‟s interview orally. Transformation of speech into
Direct or Indirect form.

MODULE 15
LITERATURE READER : As You Like It
WRITING SKILLS : Formal letter
GRAMMAR : Direct & Indirect Speech
Methodology:
- Reading Skills: Loud reading of the text to be followed by a silent reading session.
- Writing Skills: Answering questions from the text. Format for formal letters to be taught and learners would be enabled to learn the difference between a formal and an informal letter.Editing to be extensively practiced through various exercises given in the assignment booklet.

MODULE 16
MAIN COURSE BOOK : Unit 2 ART & CULTURE
: The Last Stone Mason (Poem)
LITERATURE READER : As You Like It

Learning Objectives:
To help learners appreciate the lesson.
To reinforce the skills of speaking fluently and presenting ideas in a clear and coherent manner. To consolidate learner‟s reading skills.

MODULE 17
REVISION FOR ANNUAL EXAMINATION