Grade 8 English Study Notes

Welcome to Strand 1 — Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to from the moment they are born, simply because they are human. They belong to all people regardless of race, gender, religion, or nationality.

Examples of Human Rights

• The right to education
• The right to adequate food and clean water
• The right to equality and freedom from discrimination
• The right to freedom of speech
• The right to healthcare

When people's rights are violated (denied or ignored), it causes suffering and injustice. Understanding, respecting, and protecting human rights is therefore very important.

In this strand, you will learn how to communicate politely on the telephone, read independently and intensively, use compound nouns correctly, read and understand short stories, and write legibly and neatly.

Polite Language: Telephone Etiquette

Telephone etiquette refers to the good manners and polite behaviour one should observe when speaking over the telephone. Because you cannot see the other person, your words and tone become very important.

Why Be Polite on the Phone?

• It shows respect for the other person.
• It creates a good impression of you and your family or school.
• It helps the conversation go smoothly and avoids misunderstandings.
• It reflects your character and values.

Key Telephone Vocabulary

Polite Words and Expressions Used on the Phone

Sample Telephone Conversation

Read this model conversation carefully — notice the polite expressions highlighted:

Caller (Aisha): Good morning. May I speak to the school principal, please?
Receptionist: Good morning. Who is calling, please?
Caller: This is Aisha Kamau, a Grade 8 learner from Sunrise Junior School.
Receptionist: Hold the line, please. I will put you through to the principal.
Caller: Thank you very much.
Principal: Good morning, Aisha. How may I help you?
Caller: Good morning, sir. I am calling to report that my classmate, Brian, has not been coming to school for two weeks. His parents have refused to pay his school fees. Could you please help?
Principal: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will look into the matter right away.
Caller: Thank you, sir. Goodbye.
Principal: Goodbye, Aisha. Have a good day.

Rules of Telephone Etiquette

Good telephone manners follow certain rules. Knowing and applying these rules makes you a confident and respectful communicator.

1. Greet politely — Always begin with a greeting such as "Good morning" or "Good afternoon."
2. Identify yourself — State your name clearly so the other person knows who is calling.
3. Speak clearly — Use a calm, clear voice. Do not shout or mumble.
4. Listen carefully — Do not interrupt the other person when they are speaking.
5. Be patient — Wait politely if asked to hold the line.
6. Take messages politely — If the person being called is unavailable, offer to take a message.
7. End politely — Close the conversation with "Thank you" or "Goodbye."
8. Avoid background noise — Move to a quiet place before making or receiving a call.

Leaving a Telephone Message

When the person you are calling is not available, you can leave a message. A good telephone message should include:

• Your name
• The date and time of your call
• Your telephone number
• A brief, clear message

Example: "Please tell Mr. Omondi that Kelvin Waweru called at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. I would like to confirm the meeting scheduled for Wednesday. He can call me back on 0712 345 678. Thank you."

Extensive Reading: Independent Reading

Extensive reading means reading widely — choosing and reading many different materials for enjoyment, information, and to improve your language skills. You read at your own pace and choose texts that interest you.

Skimming and Scanning

Two important reading techniques help you read more efficiently:

Example: If you want to know whether a book about human rights is interesting, you skim it — read the title, back cover, and first paragraph. If you want to find where it mentions "child labour," you scan it by looking for those specific words.

Good Reading Habits

Whenever you read independently, observe these good habits:

• Read silently to avoid distracting other people.
• Do not move your head as you read — move your eyes instead.
• Do not point at words with your finger as you read.
• Note down new words you come across while reading.
• Use a dictionary to find the meanings of new words.
• Write down the main ideas from what you have read.

What Is a Reading Log?

A reading log is a personal record where you track everything you read. A good reading log contains:

• The title and author of every material read
• The date you read it
• The main ideas from the material
• New vocabulary words and their meanings
• Your personal opinion or what you enjoyed about it

Keeping a reading log helps you track your progress and remember what you have learned from your reading.

How to Select Good Reading Materials

When choosing a book or reading material for independent reading, consider the following:

1. The topic — Is it interesting or relevant to you?
2. The level — Is it too hard, too easy, or just right for your reading ability?
3. The purpose — Are you reading for enjoyment, information, or both?
4. The source — Is it from a reliable source such as a library, approved website, or teacher's collection?

Why Should You Read Widely?

• Reading improves your vocabulary — the more you read, the more words you know.
• It improves your writing skills — reading good texts helps you write better.
• It gives you knowledge and information about the world around you.
• It helps you understand different cultures and experiences.
• It makes you a better communicator — both in speech and in writing.
• Reading is a lifelong skill that benefits you throughout your life.

Key Points — Extensive Reading

• Extensive reading = reading widely for enjoyment and information.
• Skimming = reading for the general idea.
• Scanning = reading for specific information.
• Always keep a reading log to track what you have read.
• Good reading habits: silent reading, noting new words, using a dictionary.

Grammar in Use: Compound Nouns

A compound noun is a noun formed by joining two or more words together to create a new word with a new meaning.

Examples:

• foot + ball = football
• tooth + brush = toothbrush
• human + being = human being
• brother + in + law = brother-in-law

Three Types of Compound Nouns

Forming Plurals of Compound Nouns

To form the plural of a compound noun, add -s or -es to the main (most important) word in the compound — not necessarily the last word.

Rule

Identify the word that carries the main meaning of the compound noun. That is the word you make plural.

Using Compound Nouns in Sentences

Singular: My brother-in-law is a doctor.
Plural: Both her brothers-in-law attended the ceremony.

Singular: The coursebook is on the table.
Plural: All the coursebooks have been collected.

Key Points — Compound Nouns

• A compound noun = two or more words joined to form one noun with a new meaning.
• Closed: written as one word (e.g. notebook).
• Open: written as two words (e.g. post office).
• Hyphenated: joined by a hyphen (e.g. brother-in-law).
• For plurals, add -s/-es to the main word, not the last word (e.g. fathers-in-law, not father-in-laws).

Intensive Reading: Short Stories

A short story is a brief fictional narrative — a made-up story written in prose (paragraphs). Short stories deal with characters that resemble real people and events that could happen in real life. They are short enough to be read in one sitting.

Characteristics of a Short Story

1. It focuses on a single storyline — one main series of events.
2. It has a single setting — one main place and time.
3. It has a few characters — usually one or two main ones.
4. It has one major theme — one central lesson or message.

Key Elements of a Short Story

How to Predict a Story Before Reading

Before reading a story, you can make a prediction (a thoughtful guess) about what it will be about by:

• Reading the title — what does it suggest?
• Studying any pictures or illustrations — what do they show?
• Reading the first paragraph — what clues does it give?

Short Story: The Stolen Future

Read the following short story carefully, paying attention to the characters, setting, plot, and theme.

The Stolen Future

Thirteen-year-old Akello woke up early on Monday morning, excited to go to school. She had studied hard for her Mathematics test and was confident she would pass. As she picked up her school bag, her stepmother walked in and blocked the door.

"Where do you think you are going?" the woman said sharply.

"To school, Mama," Akello replied, her voice small and uncertain.

"School? Your father has lost his job. There is no money for fees. Go to the market and help your aunt sell vegetables instead."

Akello's heart sank. She stared at her books — books she loved more than anything. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she wiped them away. She would not give up.

That afternoon, while arranging tomatoes at her aunt's stall, she met her class teacher, Mr. Otieno, who was passing through the market.

"Akello? Why are you here and not in school?" he asked, surprised.

Akello explained everything. Mr. Otieno listened carefully, his face growing serious.

"Every child has a right to education," he said firmly. "Come to school tomorrow. I will speak to the principal about the bursary fund."

The next morning, Akello was back in school. With help from the school bursary and a local children's rights organisation, her fees were covered. She sat for her Mathematics test two weeks later and scored ninety percent.

That evening, as she sat under the mango tree doing her homework, Akello smiled. Her future had almost been stolen — but she had fought for it, and it was hers again.

Story Analysis

Using Contextual Clues to Find Word Meanings

When you come across an unfamiliar word in a story, look at the words around it (the context) to figure out its meaning.

Example from "The Stolen Future":

• "Tears welled up in her eyes" → The surrounding context (she was sad and disappointed) tells us this means tears filled her eyes — she was about to cry.
• "The bursary fund" → The context (it helped cover Akello's fees) tells us it means money set aside to help students who cannot afford school fees.
• "Her heart sank" → The surrounding context (she stared at her books and felt like giving up) tells us it means she felt suddenly very sad or hopeless.

Two Types of Questions

Key Points — Short Stories

• A short story = brief fictional narrative with a single storyline, setting, theme, and few characters.
• Key elements: plot, characters, setting, theme, conflict.
• Use contextual clues (surrounding words) to find the meanings of unfamiliar words.
• Direct questions: answer found directly in the text. Inferential questions: you must think and read between the lines.
• Before reading, predict the story from the title, illustrations, and first paragraph.

Writing: Writing Legibly and Neatly

Legible writing means writing that can be easily read by others. Neat writing means writing that is well-formed and pleasant to look at. Good handwriting should be both legible and neat.

Why Write Legibly and Neatly?

• Others can read and understand your work easily.
• It shows care and respect for your reader.
• It makes a good impression in tests, compositions, and official writing.
• Neat writing prevents letters from being mistaken for others.

Heights of Letters

Small letters of the English alphabet are grouped by their height relative to three levels:

Three Groups of Small Letters

Note: Capital letters fit within the cap height. The only exception is the capital Q, whose tail goes slightly below the baseline.

Spacing of Letters and Words

Correct spacing is just as important as the shape of your letters. Poor spacing makes writing hard to read.

Examples:
Too cramped: Thebasicrightsandfreedoms (no spaces — unreadable)
Too spread out: T h e   b a s i c   r i g h t s (too much space — looks untidy)
Correct: The basic rights and freedoms which belong to all human beings.

Cancelling Neatly

When you make a mistake in your writing:

• Draw a single neat line through the wrong word or sentence.
• Do not scribble over the mistake.
• Do not use correction fluid messily.

Example: Every person has a right to fairness equality and freedom from discrimination.

Qualities of Good Handwriting

1. Correct letter formation — each letter is formed the right way.
2. Consistent letter height — letters of the same type are the same height.
3. Correct spacing — appropriate spaces between letters, words, and sentences.
4. Legibility — the writing can be read easily by anyone.
5. Neatness — no smudging, scribbling, or unnecessary crossings.
6. Neat cancellation — mistakes are crossed out with a single neat line.

Key Points — Writing Legibly and Neatly

• Legible = can be easily read. Neat = well-formed and tidy.
• Letter groups: x-height (a, c, e, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x, z), ascenders (b, d, f, h, i, j, k, l, t), descenders (g, j, p, q, y).
• Space letters, words, and sentences correctly.
• Cancel mistakes with a single neat line — never scribble.