Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

All the eighth grade version of this standard wants is for students to know when and why they should use the active and passive voices and the conditional and subjunctive moods. Other than that, students should continue using English properly, just like they have been for the previous fourteen years or so. After all, the people behind the Common Core don't suddenly want students to sound like cavemen (or cave-women, whatever floats your boat) just because there's only one specific sub-standard. We'd totally love to see you try teaching the conditional mood to a caveman, though.

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.8.3.A