Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

"Oh no," students groan, "we still have more things to learn about the English language?" Our answer would be yes, we're not quite done with it just yet. After all, English is like one of those gifts that keeps on giving! By the end of eighth grade, this is what students are supposed to have received as their gifts:

1. The ability to name each of the following verbals: "you're sneezing on me," "has eaten," and "to lollygag."
2. The knowledge that the active and passive voices are different, and that the passive voice sounds so much lamer than the active one.
3. The mastery of every mood of writing. Never again should students be saying "if I was" when they mean "if I were," as in "if I were rich, I'd use that money to build the Shmoop Academy For Students Who Can't Read Good."
4. The power to see when random changes in verb voice (active/passive) or mood (as mentioned in the third sub-section of this standard) occur. Watch out for students who shift their writing too much into the passive voice.

That's it. Now the only thing left to do is to buy some cool-looking wrapping paper for these gifts. May we suggest the one covered in cartoon dinosaurs?

P.S. If your students need to brush up on their spelling and grammar, send 'em over to our Grammar Learning Guides so they can hone their skills before conquering the Common Core.

Standard Components

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.A
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.B
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.C
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.D