Our 8th grade ELA students are wrapping up Unit 3 of HMH Into Literature, centered around the powerful theme of Places We Call Home. Throughout this unit, students have explored a variety of texts that examine how setting shapes identity, belonging, and perspective. From analyzing how authors develop complex characters to tracing how cultural background influences experiences, students have engaged in thoughtful discussions about what “home” truly means—beyond just a physical place.
As part of this unit, students practiced close reading strategies, analyzed figurative language and theme development, and strengthened their writing skills through evidence-based responses. They compared how different authors portray belonging, displacement, tradition, and change. Through collaborative discussions and structured writing tasks, students have worked to support their ideas with strong textual evidence while deepening their understanding of how literature reflects real-life experiences.
To culminate the unit, students are synthesizing their learning by reflecting on how the concept of home influences both individuals and communities. This final phase challenges them to think critically, write clearly, and connect literature to their own lives. We are proud of the thoughtful insights our 8th graders have demonstrated as they continue growing as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.