LANGUAGE ARTS 800 ONLINE academic library

Language Arts 800 continues to build on the sequential development and integration of communication skills in four major areas—reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It most specifically focuses on deepening and furthering students' understanding in reading comprehension, understanding writing structures and developing writing abilities, delivering oral reports and becoming effective oral communicators, and developing listening comprehension skills. 

LANGUAGE ARTS 800 ONLINE

UNIT 1 - COMMUNICATION

1. Course Overview
2. Documentation
3. Improving Your Reading: Using Word Parts
4. Inflections Add Grammatical Meaning
5. Word Roots from Latin and Greek
6. Categorizing Words and Analogies
7. Book Report: Pre-1900 Novel - Select and read a fiction book.  Follow the directions to report on the book.  Select from these books: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, first published in 1884. Captain's Courageous, a Story of the Grand Banks, by Rudyard Kipling, Originally published in 1896. David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens, originally published in 1849-50. Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, originally published in two parts in 1868 and 1869. Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, originally published in England in 1719.  Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in England in 1883.  Follow the writing directions given to you with this project. Your report should be at least 300 words long.
8. Spelling Lesson 1: Using ie and ei
9. Quiz 1: Word Parts/Categories/Analogies
10. Spelling Quiz 1
11. Following Directions
12. Project: Directions - Recall and follow verbal direction. Give accurate directions for a process. Complete the assignment given with this project.
13. Project: Writing Directions from a Prompt - Develop written directions for a process observed on television. Watch a "How To" program on educational television. (Your teacher or parent can suggest a suitable activity.) Take notes. Organize your notes into a set of brief directions. Type the directions here.  Remember to document your source properly, using MLA format.
14. Essay: Write a Technical Document Giving Directions - Write a technical document (at least 500 words in length). Identify the step-by-step instructions needed to operate a tool, design a system, or explain the bylaws of an organization. Include all factors and variables that need to be considered. Use headings, different fonts and other formatting techniques to aid in organization and comprehension.
15. Suffixes Change the Spelling of Roots
16. Spelling Lesson 2: General
17. Quiz 2: Cumulative
18. Spelling Quiz 2
19. Communication Without Words
20. Direct Nonverbal Communication
21. Spelling Lesson 3: Affixes
22. Quiz 3: Communicating Without Words
23. Spelling Quiz 3
24. Test
25. Alternate Test
26. Reference

UNIT 2 - DEVELOPMENT AND USAGE OF ENGLISH

1. Development of Language: Origins and Dialects
2. The Indo-European Family
3. Spelling Lesson 1: General/Content Area
4. Quiz 1: History of the English Language
5. Spelling Quiz 1
6. Word Classes--Nouns
7. Personal and Possessive Pronouns
8. Other Kinds of Pronouns
9. Verbs
10. Adjectives and Adverbs
11. Project: Descriptive Paragraph - Write a descriptive paragraph using vivid adjectives. In a magazine, find a picture of a scene that you like. Write a paragraph describing your picture, using vivid adjectives to give your reader a clear image.
12. Essay: Writing About an Event - Write a composition of three to four paragraphs (at least 200 words) making use of what you have learned about vivid adjectives and adverbs. Choose an event to discuss, describing it as accurately as possible, or make up an imaginative story. Follow these steps and do your best work: Type a rough draft. Check (proofread) it carefully for spelling and other errors.  Ask your teacher to check it over and make suggestions. Type your final copy.
13. Spelling Lesson 2: General
14. Quiz 2: Classification of Words
15. Spelling Quiz 2
16. Adjectives and Adjective Phrases
17. Adverbs and Adverb Phrases
18. Book Report: Short Story - This assignment will help you learn to read many kinds of literature. As you read, you will learn to understand and enjoy this type of writing. Choose one of these stories to read. Some of the stories below are available in larger collections by the same authors. Use the resources of your local library catalog or the Internet to locate the story of your choice. Many public domain works are available in e-text format. "The Gift" by John Steinbeck, The Creative Company, 1993. "The Gift of the Magi" by O'Henry. Multiple editions available, including e-texts. "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. Multiple editions available, including e-texts. "The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne from Twice Told Tales. Multiple editions available, including e-texts. "Split Cherry Tree" by Jesse Stuart, Jesse Stuart Foundation Monograph Series, 1990. "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. Multiple editions available, including e-texts.  Follow the directions given in the project to complete your report. Your report should be at least 300 words long.
19. Spelling Lesson 3: Adjectives and Adverbs
20. Quiz 3: Cumulative
21. Spelling Quiz 3
22. Test
23. Alternate Test
24. Reference

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UNIT 3 - PUNCTUATION AND LITERATURE

1. Ending A Thought: End Punctuation
2. Using Punctuation to Link Clauses
3. Interrupting a Thought
4. Following an Introduction
5. Spelling Lesson 1: -ant and -ent Endings
6. Quiz 1: Punctuation
7. Spelling Quiz 1
8. The Formal Essay
9. Analyzing a Formal Essay
10. Project: Analysis of an Essay - ​Find a short, formal essay in a magazine. Then find the thesis statement of that essay and show how it was proved (reasons, examples, or incidents). Remember to document your source properly, using MLA format.
11. Spelling Lesson 2: -ise, -ize, -yze
12. Quiz 2: Punctuation/The Formal Essay
13. Spelling Quiz 2
14. The Informal Essay
15. The Anecdote
16. Essay: Informal Essay - ​Choose a topic suitable for an informal essay. Remember that an informal essay is meant to entertain. The topic, therefore, should be personal, drawn from your own observations or experiences, and not too serious. Follow the directions given to you and your finished essay should be at least 400 words long.
17. Spelling Lesson 3: -able, -ible
18. Quiz 3: Punctuation and Essays
19. Spelling Quiz 3
20. Test
21. Alternate Test
22. Reference

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UNIT 4 - WORDS AND HOW TO USE THEM

1. Spelling Lesson 1: Develop Spelling Sense
2. Spelling Quiz 1
3. Using the Dictionary
4. Diacritical Marks
5. Using a Thesaurus
6. Quiz 1: Understanding Words (Dictionary and Thesaurus Skills)
7. Spelling Lesson 2: General and Homonyms
8. Spelling Quiz 2
9. Standard and Nonstandard Usage
10. Confusing Words
11. Quiz 2: Using Words Correctly
12. Spelling Lesson 3: General
13. Spelling Quiz 3
14. Project: Book Report: Post-1900 Novel - Choose one of the novels below to read and review. All of the books in the list were written and published during the twentieth century. Your report should be at least 300 words long.  Select your book from the options given in the directions.
15. Test
16. Alternate Test
17. Reference

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UNIT 5 - CORRECT LANGUAGE USAGE

1. The Apostrophe
2. The Hyphen
3. Quotation Marks
4. Parentheses and Italics
5. Capitalization
6. Essay: Choice of Topic -Write an essay at least 400 words long about one of the following topics (or choose one of your own). Be sure to check it for errors in capitalization and punctuation. My Happiest Birthday, My Most Embarrassing Experience, An Unusual Gift, A Strange Experience, My Favorite Aunt/Uncle, My Best Friend, My Favorite Place in the World.
7. Abbreviations and Acronyms
8. Numbers and Figures
9. Spelling Lesson 1: General and Content Words
10. Quiz 1: Written Language
11. Spelling Quiz 1
12. Spoken Language: Biblical Standards
13. Project: Biblical Speech - Using the concordance in your Bible, find other Scriptures pertaining to standards of speech. You may find it helpful to look up words such as the following: mouth, tongue, speech, words. Make a list of different points you need to consider when speaking. Remember to document your Biblical quotes properly, using MLA format.
14. Speaking Qualities
15. Project: Speech - Select one of the following speech ideas to put the qualities of a good speaker into practice. 1. Interview an interesting person, asking him or her questions you have prepared in advance. Take notes of the answers, organize and summarize the interview, and prepare a speech to give to your teacher or a friend. 2. Give an autobiographical speech. Select one incident from your life that would appeal to an audience of your peers. Organize all the facts or events concerning this incident into a logical sequence. Use the outline form as a guide for preparing either speech topic.
16. Spelling Lesson 2: Content Words
17. Quiz 2: Punctuation, Usage, and Spoken Language
18. Spelling Quiz 2
19. Review of Homonyms, Synonyms and Antonyms
20. Vocabulary Development: Word Pairs
21. Spelling Lesson 3: Difficult Word Pairs
22. Quiz 3: Correct Usage
23. Spelling Quiz 3
24. Test
25. Alternate Test
26. Reference

​UNIT 6 - LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

1. The Old English Period
2. The Old English Language and Literature
3. Report: Anglo-Saxon Culture/Literature -  Choose one of the following essay assignments. Research Sutton Hoo and write an essay of at least 250 words about what you have learned.  (Or) Read a translation of an Anglo-Saxon work: Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon Riddles, "The Seafarer," or "The Wanderer." Write an essay of at least 250 words describing your reaction to what you read. For either option, remember to document your sources properly, using MLA format.
4. Middle English
5. Report: Geoffrey Chaucer - Read more about Geoffrey Chaucer. Then write an esay of at least 250 words about him. Remember to document your sources properly, using MLA format.
6. Spelling Lesson 1: -ance, -ence, -ense
7. Quiz 1: The History of the English Language
8. Spelling Quiz 1
9. Coordinating Conjunctions
10. Correlative Conjunctions/Conjunctive Adverbs
11. Subordinating Conjunctions/Adverb Clauses
12. Relative Pronouns/Adjective Clauses; Phrases and Appositives
13. Spelling Lesson 2: Mispronounced Words
14. Quiz 2: The Construction of Sentences
15. Spelling Quiz 2
16. The Elements of Autobiography
17. Autobiographical Excerpt: Jesse Stuart - The excerpt in this lesson, "The Thread That Runs So True," is from an autobiography by Jesse Stuart. Notice the personal glimpses given by this young school teacher who learns that sometimes a person must defend his convictions. Through his students and through his experiences, this young man learns valuable lessons about success and failure in life. Notice this man's struggles and the way he overcomes obstacles as he builds his own character while he works to increase the knowledge and to build the characters of his unruly students. In any new story, new vocabulary words are certain to confuse the reader unless he becomes familiar with them as he reads. The vocabulary words listed at the beginning of this section are taken from the "The Thread That Runs So True." Knowing their meanings will increase your enjoyment of the story. Be able to spell and pronounce each word correctly.  Discuss the five elements of autobiographical writing as applied to a reading selection
18. Autobiographical Excerpt: Admiral Byrd - "Flight to the South Pole" is the autobiography of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who made the first flight to the South Pole. As you read, note examples of the location, historical events, and turning points in the account. You will also see glimpses of the author's personal relationships with his co-adventurers, and you will read about his opinions of these characters. These elements combine to form a good autobiography. Labeling these elements will help you understand Admiral Byrd and what he experienced personally during this famous flight. Taking notes will also help you answer the questions following this longer autobiography. This autobiography contains quite a few new vocabulary words that are necessary to your understanding of the story. Knowing the part of speech and the meaning of these words also helps to expand your own vocabulary. Knowing their meanings will increase your enjoyment of the story. Be able to spell and pronounce each word correctly. Discuss the five elements of autobiographical writing as applied to a reading selection.
19. Essay: Autobiography
20. Spelling Lesson 3: Vocabulary Words
21. Quiz 3: Cumulative
22. Spelling Quiz 3
23. Project: Book Report: Biography - Biography is a type of nonfiction literature that tells the story of a real person's life. If the author of a biography is telling his or her own story, the writing is called autobiography. Some biographers stick to just the facts and their own opinions of why those facts are important. Other biographers tell about real people's lives, but the author adds things to the story that didn't really happen to help fill-in gaps or make the story more interesting. These partly-true stories are called biographical fiction. Choose one of the books from the book list for your biography report. Use your answers to the questions to help you write a biography book report. Remember to write your paragraphs in complete sentences. Your report should be at least 300 words long. Use capital letters and punctuation correctly.
24. Test
25. Alternate Test
26. Reference

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UNIT 7 - CRITICAL READING AND PARAGRAPH SKILLS

1. Critical Reading: Symbolism/Connotation
2. Critical Reading: Context/Directive Language
3. Analyzing an Author's Credentials/Argument
4. Propaganda
5. Spelling Lesson 1: Silent Letters
6. Quiz 1: Critical Reading
7. Spelling Quiz 1
8. Paragraph Structure
9. Essay: Paragraph Types - This project provides the opportunity for you to write three paragraphs, one for each of the topic descriptions given below. Because you will be writing for different purposes (to inform, to entertain) you will need to pay close attention to the major differences between each type of paragraph. Return to the lesson "Paragraph Structure” to review these differences.  Follow the directions given and complete this assignment.
10. Organizing a Unified Paragraph
11. Paragraph Coherence/Transition Methods
12. Essay: Paragraph Development - This project gives you the opportunity to apply the concepts of unity and coherence in your writing. Choose two of the five methods of paragraph development below and write two paragraphs on separate topics. Your goal is to write two unified, coherent paragraphs on separate topics using separate methods of development:  Chronological order, spatial order, general to particular, particular to general, comparison/contrast. Your selection of a method will depend on your purpose. If, for example, you decide to write a narrative paragraph, you will use chronological order. Descriptive paragraphs are usually developed using spatial order. The other methods are most often used in expository paragraphs. Your selection of a method will depend on your purpose. If, for example, you decide to write a narrative paragraph, you will use chronological order. Descriptive paragraphs are usually developed using spatial order. The other methods are most often used in expository paragraphs. Choose one of the following titles as a prompt for a topic (or use another, teacher-approved topic).  1. One Long Hour 2. The Advantage of _________ over _________ 3. The Room 4. There's a Need for _________ Today.  Follow the directions to complete this project.
13. Spelling Lesson 2: Silent Letters
14. Quiz 2: The Paragraph
15. Spelling Quiz 2
16. Writing a Composition: The Introduction
17. Essay: Thesis Statement - Write an introductory paragraph using the following thesis statement. Remember to open with a general statement and work your way back to the thesis. Write an introductory paragraph using the following thesis statement. Remember to open with a general statement and work your way back to the thesis.  (Remember: This statement is the last sentence of your introduction.)
18. Writing a Composition: The Body
19. Writing a Composition: The Conclusion
20. Writing a Composition: Proofreading
21. Essay: Analyzing an Argument - Choose one of the assignments below and write a three- to five-paragraph (at least 250 words) essay. 1. View the slide show on bias (below). Using the definition of bias provided in the lesson "Analyzing an Author's Credentials/Argument," decide how the statement on each slide represents bias. Provide a brief description of how each statement includes language that reveals bias. Answer in paragraph form, using correct grammar and punctuation. 2. View the slide show on bias (below). Choose either the first or second frame to identify and discuss any three of the five techniques of persuasion (see the lesson "Analyzing an Author's Credentials/Argument") used in the description of the picture:
22. Spelling Lesson 3: Unaccented Syllables
23. Quiz 3: Cumulative
24. Spelling Quiz 3
25. Test
26. Alternate Test
27. Reference

UNIT 8 - WRITING, LISTENING, AND READING

1. Writing Business Letters
2. Three Types of Business Letters
3. Project: Business Letters
4. Structure and Form of Personal Letters
5. Three Types of Personal Letters
6. Project: Personal Letters - Personal Letter #1. Write a friendly letter to a relative or friend. Follow the format shown in “Structure and Form of Personal Letters.” After it has been checked by your teacher, it would be a good idea to actually send the letter. Personal Letter #2. Write a letter of invitation. This letter will use the structure and form of a personal letter and will have only one or two paragraphs. Include the details given in the instructions.  Personal Letter #3. Write a thank-you letter. The subject of your thank-you letter can be the sweater your grandmother gave you, or any other gift and giver of your choice.
7. Spelling Lesson 1: General
8. Quiz 1: Writing Letters
9. Spelling Quiz 1
10. Sound and Listening
11. Listening for Literal Meaning
12. Listening for Implied and Figurative Meaning
13. Project: Figures of Speech -​ Find a copy of a Bible story told in narrative form (for example, the Good Samaritan, any of the parables, Old Testament stories such as Abraham and Isaac, and so on). If you need help finding one, ask your teacher. As you read the story, pick out the figures of speech. Write each one down and identify it with the proper name. You should include at least 5 examples used.
14. Identifying Nonverbal Clues
15. Being a Good Listener
16. Project: Listening Skills - Make a point of using active, creative listening skills for the next twenty-four hours. Afterward, think about your experience. 1. Did you have any trouble concentrating on what others were saying?  2. Were your friends and family aware of your greater involvement in what they were saying?  2. Were your friends and family aware of your greater involvement in what they were saying?  Type the results of your listening exercise. Your response should be at least 125 words long.
17. Spelling Lesson 2: General and Content Words
18. Quiz 2: Listening Skills/Nonverbal Communication
19. Spelling Quiz 2
20. Distinguishing Between Fiction and Nonfiction
21. Evaluating the Reliability of Information
22. Report: Assessing Reliability - Read the account of the Flood in Genesis (Chapters 6 through 8); then read the account of it in The World Book or another encyclopedia.  1. Are these accounts different?  2. In what ways? Type a paragraph explaining why. Use your Christian point of view.  You do not need to complete the 2nd part of this assignment.
23. Sources of Information
24. Reading the Newspaper
25. News Magazines/Other Nonfiction Resources
26. Spelling Lesson 3: General
27. Quiz 3: Cumulative
28. Spelling Quiz 3
29. Test
30. Alternate Test
31. Reference

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UNIT 9 - THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

1. English is a Living Language
2. Etymology of English Words
3. English in the United States
4. Project: Slang - Read a page or two of a newspaper. Pick out several words that come from slang. (The sports section is a good place to find these terms.) Type a list and give a standard expression that could have been used in place of the slang.  List the slang, the more accepted word, and where you obtained the words with proper reference.
5. Spelling Lesson 1: General
6. Quiz 1: The Changing Language
7. Spelling Quiz 1
8. Double Negatives
9. Dangling Modifiers
10. Shift in Person and Number
11. Shift in Mood and Tense; S/V Agreement
12. Spelling Lesson 2: General
13. Quiz 2: Grammar and History of English
14. Spelling Quiz 2
15. Organizing an Oral Report
16. Developing an Oral Report
17. Using Language Appropriately
18. Effective Speaking Techniques
19. Project: Oral Report - Choose one of the following topics or make up one of your own to write your oral report of at least 300 words. My Favorite Hobby- You could write an exposition report about your hobby (for example, card collecting). My Best Friend - You might write an expression report about why this person is your best friend. Why My Room Is Like Me - You could write a process analysis report, describing why your room at home reflects your personality.
20. Spelling Lesson 3: Frequently Misspelled Words
21. Quiz 3: Cumulative
22. Spelling Quiz 3
23. Test
24. Alternate Test
25. Reference

UNIT 10 - REVIEW

1. History of Language
2. Grammar: Parts of Speech
3. Punctuation and Capitalization
4. Abbreviations, Apostrophes, and Hyphens
5. Dictionary and Thesaurus
6. Standard English Usage
7. Common Sentence Errors
8. Paragraphs
9. Letters
10. Compositions
11. Essay: What Makes a Good Christian? - Write an essay of at least 300 words on the topic "What Makes a Good Christian?" Brainstorm as many ideas as you can. Hint: you should have eight or ten ideas listed. Some of these words may be qualities such as faith, love, or joy; others may be examples of behavior. Organize the ideas from your brainstorming.  Follow the directions given to complete your essay.
12. Review Quiz 1: Language
13. Review Spelling Lesson 1 and 2
14. Spelling Quiz 1
15. Communication: Unspoken Factors
16. Communication: Spoken Factors
17. Following Directions and Listening
18. Review Quiz 2: Communication
19. Review Spelling Lesson 3 and 4
20. Spelling Quiz 2
21. Reading: Word Parts
22. Reading: Context Clues and Sequence
23. Reading: Fact and Opinion, News Articles
24. Reading: Essays and Autobiographies
25. Review Quiz 3: Reading
26. Review Spelling Lesson 5 and 6
27. Essay: Short Story - Write a short story. See how many of the listed words you can include. Type the listed words you used in your story in all capitals. Your short story should be at least 600 words long. Share your story with a friend.  The listed words will be included in the directions in the learning program.
28. Spelling Quiz 3
29. Test
30. Alternate Test