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General Information

Number: ELA.8.C.3

Title: Following Conventions

Type: Standard

Subject: English Language Arts (B.E.S.T.)

Grade: 8

Strand: Communication

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks

Code

Description

ELA.8.C.3.1:

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

Clarifications:
Clarification 1: Skills to be mastered at this grade level are as follows:

Appropriately use passive and active voice.
Use semicolons to form sentences.
Use verbs with attention to voice and mood.

Skills to be implemented but not yet mastered are as follows:

Add variety to writing or presentations by using parallel structure and various types of phrases and clauses.

Clarification 2: See Convention Progression by Grade Level for more information.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Access Points

Access Point Number

Access Point Title

ELA.8.C.3.AP.1:

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling appropriate to grade-level with guidance and support.

• Vary sentence structure.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Name	Description
It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice:	Practice changing sentences from passive to active voice in this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures. This is Part Two in a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice."
It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice:	Learn to distinguish between passive and active voice with this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures. This is Part One of a two-part series. Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice."
Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects:	Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in this two-part tutorial. By the end of Part One, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as the subject of a sentence. At the end of Part One, you'll also practice creating a sentence using a gerund as the subject and a sentence using a gerund phrase as the subject. Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements."
Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements:	Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in Part Two of this two-part series. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as a subject complement. At the end of this tutorial, you'll practice creating sentences of your own with a gerund phrase as the subject and a gerund phrase as a subject complement. Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects."
All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part Two :	Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.
All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part One:	Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: simple past tense and past progressive tense. This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll explore the use of past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch Part Two.
All about the Future: Exploring Verb Tenses:	Learn how to use verb phrases in particular tenses to convey specific meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore the use of four verb tenses: simple future, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive.
Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part Two:	Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part Two, you'll work with three perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. We recommend that you complete Part One before starting Part Two. In Part One, you'll work with three simple tenses: past, present, and future. Click HERE to view Part One.
All about the Present: Exploring Verb Tenses:	Learn how verbs and verb phrases can convey specific meanings through the use of three verb tenses--simple present, present progressive, and present perfect--in this interactive tutorial.
Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part One:	Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part One, you'll work with past tense, present tense, and future tense. We recommend that you complete Part Two after Part One. In Part Two, you'll work with three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Click HERE to view Part Two.
Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part Two:	Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence. In Part Two, you'll learn about essential and nonessential phrases and clauses and how to use commas with nonessential phrases and clauses in a sentence. This is Part Two of a two-part tutorial series. Click HERE to launch Part One.
Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part One:	Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence in this two-part tutorial series. In Part One, you'll learn about appositives and how to use commas with appositives when they provide nonessential information in a sentence. When you're done, make sure to complete Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part Two:	Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark--the dash--in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We recommend that you complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch Part One.
Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part One :	Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark—the dash—in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part One, you'll learn about the en dash and practice using it correctly. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We hope by the end of this series that the dash will no longer be quite so mysterious! Make sure to complete Part Two! Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Mysterious Punctuation Marks: The Ellipsis:	Check out a mysterious punctuation mark, the ellipsis, in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll learn a number of different uses for the ellipsis and apply what you learn to practice using the ellipsis correctly.
Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Commas:	Don't be mystified by commas! This interactive tutorial will help you better understand how to correctly use this often mysterious punctuation mark. You'll learn several ways commas are commonly misused to help make sure you don't make these same mistakes in your own writing. Then, you'll learn several ways to correctly use a comma.
Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Apostrophes:	Check out a mysterious punctuation mark—the apostrophe—in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn several important rules and guidelines to help you demystify this punctuation mark so you can use it correctly in your own writing.
Mysterious Punctuation: Investigating Commas :	Learn a number of important rules that will help you master the mysterious comma. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how commas are used to separate three or more items in a series and to “set off” certain aspects of a sentence.
Fixing Run-on Sentences:	Learn to recognize and fix one of the most common grammar errors—the run-on sentence—as you complete this interactive tutorial.
Capitalization: A Crash Course:	Learn the rules of capitalization in this interactive tutorial! By the end, you'll have undergone a "crash course" in correct capitalization.
Commas, Commas, Everywhere!:	Review common uses of the comma and learn how it can be properly used to set off nonrestrictive elements--like phrases and words--in a sentence. This interactive tutorial will also give you the chance to complete practice activities to check your understanding.
Learning the Ropes: Applying Comma Rules:	Learn how to use commas to connect two sentences, how to use commas with coordinate adjectives, and how to use the Oxford comma. In this interactive tutorial, you will complete practice exercises and read several short passages about primates, including gorillas and baboons.
Punctuation Vacation: Everybody Needs a Break!:	In this interactive tutorial, you'll take a "punctuation vacation" to learn how commas, dashes, and ellipses can be used to indicate breaks or pauses in your writing.
Language Wizard: Active & Passive Voice:	Learn to define and explain active and passive voice in this wizard-themed interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how to transform passive voice to active voice to make your writing stronger.

Lesson Plans

Name	Description
Exploring the Future of NASA:	In this lesson, students will read and analyze two nonfiction articles about future work at NASA. Students will track the development of central ideas throughout each text. At the end of the lesson, students will synthesize a written response comparing and contrasting how the two authors establish their purpose.
In-Paragraph Transitions to Help With Flow of Writing:	This lesson is designed to help students compose paragraphs that flow well and transition smoothly. Students will practice using transitions within paragraphs by revising paragraphs to include transitions.
Discussing the Socialite Post Gone Wrong:	In this lesson, students will explore through role play and explicit discussion how can social media accounts impact current or future employment, ethical and legal responsibilities of the employee as it pertains to social media and the potential outcomes of misuse.
Work Ethics in Action:	Using the case study, “The Best Customer Service,” students will analyze the server guest satisfaction reviews and employee summaries to determine which employees give the best customer service. Then students will collaborate to determine the employee who is recommended for promotion based on guest satisfaction and write a narrative outcome for the case study.

Text Resource

Name

Description

Grammar and Usage: The Garden of Phrases:

This text resource provides information and examples of the following types of phrases: noun phrase, prepositional phrase, appositive phrase, absolute phrase, infinitive phrase, gerund phrase, and participial phrase.

Tutorials

Name	Description
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Correcting Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice correcting two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify the best way to correct either a comma splice or a fused sentence. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice identifying two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify whether a run-on sentence is a comma splice or a fused sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Parallel Structure:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Maintaining Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 6: Maintaining Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Recognizing Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Maintaining Parallel Structure:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Maintaining Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Title	Description
It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice:	Practice changing sentences from passive to active voice in this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures. This is Part Two in a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice."
It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice:	Learn to distinguish between passive and active voice with this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures. This is Part One of a two-part series. Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice."
Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects:	Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in this two-part tutorial. By the end of Part One, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as the subject of a sentence. At the end of Part One, you'll also practice creating a sentence using a gerund as the subject and a sentence using a gerund phrase as the subject. Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements."
Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements:	Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in Part Two of this two-part series. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as a subject complement. At the end of this tutorial, you'll practice creating sentences of your own with a gerund phrase as the subject and a gerund phrase as a subject complement. Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects."
All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part Two :	Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.
All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part One:	Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: simple past tense and past progressive tense. This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll explore the use of past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch Part Two.
All about the Future: Exploring Verb Tenses:	Learn how to use verb phrases in particular tenses to convey specific meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore the use of four verb tenses: simple future, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive.
Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part Two:	Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part Two, you'll work with three perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. We recommend that you complete Part One before starting Part Two. In Part One, you'll work with three simple tenses: past, present, and future. Click HERE to view Part One.
All about the Present: Exploring Verb Tenses:	Learn how verbs and verb phrases can convey specific meanings through the use of three verb tenses--simple present, present progressive, and present perfect--in this interactive tutorial.
Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part One:	Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part One, you'll work with past tense, present tense, and future tense. We recommend that you complete Part Two after Part One. In Part Two, you'll work with three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Click HERE to view Part Two.
Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part Two:	Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence. In Part Two, you'll learn about essential and nonessential phrases and clauses and how to use commas with nonessential phrases and clauses in a sentence. This is Part Two of a two-part tutorial series. Click HERE to launch Part One.
Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part One:	Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence in this two-part tutorial series. In Part One, you'll learn about appositives and how to use commas with appositives when they provide nonessential information in a sentence. When you're done, make sure to complete Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part Two:	Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark--the dash--in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We recommend that you complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch Part One.
Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part One :	Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark—the dash—in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part One, you'll learn about the en dash and practice using it correctly. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We hope by the end of this series that the dash will no longer be quite so mysterious! Make sure to complete Part Two! Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Mysterious Punctuation Marks: The Ellipsis:	Check out a mysterious punctuation mark, the ellipsis, in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll learn a number of different uses for the ellipsis and apply what you learn to practice using the ellipsis correctly.
Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Commas:	Don't be mystified by commas! This interactive tutorial will help you better understand how to correctly use this often mysterious punctuation mark. You'll learn several ways commas are commonly misused to help make sure you don't make these same mistakes in your own writing. Then, you'll learn several ways to correctly use a comma.
Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Apostrophes:	Check out a mysterious punctuation mark—the apostrophe—in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn several important rules and guidelines to help you demystify this punctuation mark so you can use it correctly in your own writing.
Mysterious Punctuation: Investigating Commas :	Learn a number of important rules that will help you master the mysterious comma. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how commas are used to separate three or more items in a series and to “set off” certain aspects of a sentence.
Fixing Run-on Sentences:	Learn to recognize and fix one of the most common grammar errors—the run-on sentence—as you complete this interactive tutorial.
Capitalization: A Crash Course:	Learn the rules of capitalization in this interactive tutorial! By the end, you'll have undergone a "crash course" in correct capitalization.
Commas, Commas, Everywhere!:	Review common uses of the comma and learn how it can be properly used to set off nonrestrictive elements--like phrases and words--in a sentence. This interactive tutorial will also give you the chance to complete practice activities to check your understanding.
Learning the Ropes: Applying Comma Rules:	Learn how to use commas to connect two sentences, how to use commas with coordinate adjectives, and how to use the Oxford comma. In this interactive tutorial, you will complete practice exercises and read several short passages about primates, including gorillas and baboons.
Punctuation Vacation: Everybody Needs a Break!:	In this interactive tutorial, you'll take a "punctuation vacation" to learn how commas, dashes, and ellipses can be used to indicate breaks or pauses in your writing.
Language Wizard: Active & Passive Voice:	Learn to define and explain active and passive voice in this wizard-themed interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how to transform passive voice to active voice to make your writing stronger.

Tutorials

Title	Description
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Correcting Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice correcting two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify the best way to correct either a comma splice or a fused sentence. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice identifying two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify whether a run-on sentence is a comma splice or a fused sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Parallel Structure:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Maintaining Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 6: Maintaining Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Recognizing Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Maintaining Parallel Structure:	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.
Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Maintaining Parallel Structure :	This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Standard 3 : Following Conventions

General Information

Related Benchmarks

Related Access Points

Access Points

Related Resources

Original Student Tutorials

Lesson Plans

Text Resource

Tutorials

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorials

Tutorials