Download Seventh Grade Language Arts v. 2016

2015-2016
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Seventh grade students refine existing and develop new writing skills throughout the year. The course addresses each of the components of
language: reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. Students plan and compose narrative, persuasive, informative, research,
and poetry writings. Finally, students define and apply vocabulary terms in daily writing and speaking. Instructional strategies and assessments
include but are not limited to cooperative learning, presentations, student projects, participation, and independent discovery.
Course Information:
Frequency & Duration: Daily for 40 – 45 minutes
Text: Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little. 2001.
Shostak, Jerome. Vocabulary Workshop, Level B. New York: William H. Sadler, Inc. 2005.
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing
Content

Writing Sample
v. 2015-2016
Duration: August/ September (3 weeks)
Literacy Skills
Grammar
Grammar Review:
 Parts of Speech
 Basic Punctuation and Capitalization
 Plural and Possessive Nouns
 Contractions vs. Pronouns
 Comma Rules
 Fragments and Run-ons
Meaning of Words:
 Vocabulary
 Context Clues
 Synonyms & Antonyms
 Affixes
How do writers use the connotation and
denotation of words differently?
What background knowledge do students
Essential
possess on which to build during this school
Question:
year?
What grammar concepts are needed to clearly
communicate?
How does employing correct connotation
create accurate meaning for the reader?
How does precise word choice create
meaningful description?
How do context clues aid in deciphering the
denotation of words?


Skills:

Write a narrative to develop real
experiences or events





Assessment:

Students can write a short narrative to
develop a real experience or event

Identify and explain the function of
each part of speech
Use basic punctuation and
capitalization correctly in sentences
Correctly spell plural nouns
Correctly punctuate possessive nouns
Distinguish between possessive
pronouns and contractions
Apply the comma rules
Recognize and revise fragments and
run-ons in writing
Students can demonstrate a grade
appropriate command of standard
English
2






Determine or clarify the meaning of
grade seven words
Interpret the meaning of words using
context clues
Use the relationship between synonyms
and antonyms to better understand
each word
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek
or Latin affixes as clues to the meaning
of a word
Students can determine the meaning of
unknown words through weekly
vocabulary tests
Students interpret the meaning of
Language Arts: Seventh Grade


Resources: Teacher developed prompt.
CC.1.4.7.X Write routinely over extended time
frames (time for research, reflection, and
revision) and shorter time frames (a single
sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline‐
specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Weekly grammar and writing warm-ups.
CC.1.4.7.R Demonstrate a grade appropriate
command of the conventions of standard
English grammar, usage, capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling.
Standards:
Comments:
3
v. 2015-2016
unknown words using context clues
Students choose synonyms and
antonyms for given words
Students use affixes to determine the
meaning of unfamiliar words
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
Shostak, Jerome. Vocabulary Workshop, Level B.
New York: William H. Sadlier, Inc. 2005.
CC.1.3.7.F Determine the meaning of words
and phrases as they are used in grade‐level
reading and content, including interpretation of
figurative, connotative meanings.
CC.1.3.7.I Determine or clarify the meaning of
unknown and multiple‐meaning words and
phrases based on grade‐level reading and
content, choosing flexibly from a range of
strategies and tools.
CC.1.3.7.J Acquire and use accurately grade‐
appropriate general academic and domain‐
specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary
knowledge when considering a word or phrase
important to comprehension or expression.
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing
Content

Informative/Explanatory Writing
Essential How do writers clearly inform their reader
Question: about a selected topic?



Skills:



Assessment:
Write informative/explanatory texts
Examine a topic and clearly convey
ideas, concepts, and information
Cite relevant facts, definitions, and
concrete details to develop and analyze
the topic
Use transitions for cohesion and
clarification
Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite written
work
Students can examine a topic and
clearly convey ideas, concepts, and
information through
informative/explanatory writing
Grammar
Grammar Review:
 Parts of speech
 Basic punctuation and capitalization
 Plural and possessive nouns
 Contractions vs. Pronouns
 Comma rules
 Fragments and run-ons
What grammar concepts are needed to clearly
communicate?








Identify and explain the function of
each part of speech
Use basic punctuation and
capitalization correctly in sentences
Correctly spell plural nouns
Correctly punctuate possessive nouns.
Distinguish between possessive
pronouns and contractions
Apply the comma rules
Recognize and revise fragments and
run-ons in writing
Students can demonstrate a grade
appropriate command of standard
English
4
v. 2015-2016
Duration: September/ October (6 weeks)
Literacy Skills


Text Structure
Text vs. Media
How can readers use text and media to analyze
a common theme?



Analyze how the form of a text
contributes to its meaning
Engage in collaborative discussions
Students can apply the information that
they have read to the development of
their writings
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Resources: Teacher developed prompts.
v. 2015-2016
Weekly grammar and writing warm-ups.
CC.1.4.7.A Write informative/ explanatory texts CC.1.4.7.R
to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts,
and information clearly.
CC.1.4.7.B Identify and introduce the topic
clearly, including a preview of what is to follow.
CC.1.4.7.C Develop and analyze the topic with
relevant facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples;
include graphics and multimedia when useful to
aiding comprehension.
CC.1.4.7.D Organize ideas, concepts, and
information using strategies such as definition,
classification, comparison/contrast, and
cause/effect; use appropriate transitions to
Standards: create cohesion and clarify the relationships
among ideas and concepts; provide a
concluding statement or section; include
formatting when useful to aiding
comprehension.
CC.1.4.7.F Demonstrate a grade appropriate
command of the conventions of standard
English grammar, usage, capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling.
CC.1.4.7.T With some guidance and support
from peers and adults, develop and strengthen
writing as needed by planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on
how well purpose and audience have been
addressed.
Comments:
Gidwitz, Adam. A Tale Dark and Grimm.
London: Andersen Press, 2010.
CC.1.3.7.E Analyze how the structure or form
of a text contributes to its meaning.
CC.1.4.7.S Draw evidence from literary or
informational texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research, applying grade‐level
reading standards for literature and literary
nonfiction.
CC.1.5.7.A Engage effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions, on grade‐level topics,
texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and
expressing their own clearly.
5
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing
Content

Opinion/Argumentative Writing
Essential How do audiences make informed decisions
Question: when faced with skewed media messages?





Skills:




Write arguments to support claims
Introduce and state an opinion on a
topic
Establish audience and purpose
Acknowledge opposing claims
Support claim with logical reasoning
and evidence from credible sources
Organize claims, reasons, and evidence
Clarify relationships among claims
Provide a conclusion
Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite written
work
Grammar


Comma Rules
Fragments and Run-On Sentences
What grammar concepts are needed to clearly
communicate?



Correctly use commas in a variety of
situations
Revise incorrect comma usage
Identify and revise fragments and runon sentences
v. 2015-2016
Duration: November/December (6 weeks)
Literacy Skills
 Author’s Point of View
 Author’s Purpose and Argument
 Textual Evidence
How do readers accurately interpret an author’s
argument?









Assessment:

Students can write an
opinion/argumentative essay to
support a claim


Students can revise sentences for
comma usage
Students can revise fragments and runon sentences
6

Cite several pieces of evidence to
support analysis, inferences,
conclusions, and/or generalizations
Analyze how an author distinguishes
his position from another’s
Evaluate the soundness of an author’s
argument, reasoning, and specific
claims
Evaluate the relevance of the author’s
evidence
Engage in collaborative discussions
Evaluate a speaker’s claim, soundness
of reasoning, and relevance of evidence
Analyze media formats and explain
how the ideas clarify a topic of study.
Include multimedia and visual displays
to clarify findings
Students can cite several pieces of
evidence to support analysis,
inferences, conclusions, and/or
generalizations
Students can analyze how an author
distinguishes his position from
another’s
Language Arts: Seventh Grade


Resources: Teacher developed prompts.
CC.1.4.7.G Write arguments to support claims.
CC.1.4.7.H Introduce and state an opinion on a
topic.
CC.1.4.7.I Acknowledge alternate or opposing
claims and support claim with logical reasoning
and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible
sources and demonstrating an understanding of
the topic.
CC.1.4.7.J Organize the claim(s) with clear
reasons and evidence clearly; clarify
relationships among claim(s) and reasons by
using words, phrases, and clauses to create
cohesion; provide a concluding statement or
section that follows from and supports the
Standards: argument presented.
CC.1.4.7.K Write with an awareness of the
stylistic aspects of composition.
• Use precise language and domain‐specific
vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
• Use sentences of varying lengths and
complexities.
• Develop and maintain a consistent voice.
• Establish and maintain a formal style.
CC.1.4.6.T
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
CC.1.4.7.L
v. 2015-2016
Students can evaluate the soundness of
an author’s argument, reasoning, and
specific claims
Students can evaluate the relevance of
the author’s evidence
Teacher identified readings.
CC.1.2.7.B Cite several pieces of textual
evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly, as well as inferences,
conclusions, and/or generalizations drawn from
the text.
CC.1.2.7.D Determine an author’s point of view
or purpose in a text and analyze how the author
distinguishes his or her position from that of
others.
CC.1.2.7.H Evaluate an author’s argument,
reasoning, and specific claims for the soundness
of the argument and the relevance of the
evidence.
CC.1.5.7.A Engage effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions, on grade‐level topics,
texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and
expressing their own clearly.
CC.1.5.7.B Delineate a speaker’s argument and
specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the
reasoning and the relevance and sufficiency of
the evidence.
CC.1.5.7.C Analyze the main ideas and
supporting details presented in diverse media
formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and
explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or
issue under study.
CC.1.5.7.F Include multimedia components and
visual displays in presentations to clarify claims
and findings and emphasize salient points.
7
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing

Content
Essential
Question:
Narrative Writing
How do writers develop into effective
storytellers?
How does a writer’s voice create concrete
understanding for the reader?




Skills:




Assessment: 









Students can write a personal narrative that
develops a real story from their lives
Grammar
Punctuating Dialogue
Verbs and Verb Tense
Adjectives
Adverbs
Prepositional Phrases
How does dialogue contribute to a story?
Write narratives to develop real
experiences or events
Establish context and point of view.
Introduce characters
Use description, pacing, precise word
choice, and sensory details
Organize using a logical sequence and
transition words
Provide a reflective conclusion
Eliminate wordiness and redundancy
Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite written
work

v. 2015-2016
Duration: December/January (5 weeks)
Literacy Skills

How do writer use fiction to model narrative
writing?
Use and correctly punctuate dialogue
Create prepositional phrases, adjectives,
adverbs, and active verbs to paint a
picture for the reader
Recognize and correct inappropriate
shifts in verb tense
Students can define, identify, and use
prepositional phrases, adjectives, adverbs,
and active verbs
Students can correctly punctuate dialogue
8
Elements of a Story




Analyze how story elements interact
Analyze how setting shapes characters
and plot
Students follow plot structure to develop
their personal narrative
Students develop setting, characters, and
plot within their personal narrative
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Resources: Teacher developed prompts.
CC.1.4.7.M Write narratives to develop real or
imagined experiences or events.
CC.1.4.7.N Engage and orient the reader by
establishing a context and point of view and
introducing a narrator and/or characters.
CC.1.4.7.O Use narrative techniques such as
dialogue, description, and pacing to develop
experiences, events, and/or characters; use
precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive
details, and sensory language to capture the
action and convey experiences and events.
CC.1.4.7.P Organize an event sequence that
unfolds naturally and logically, using a variety of
transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey
Standards:
sequence and signal shifts from one time
frame or setting to another; provide a
conclusion that follows from and reflects on the
narrated experiences and events.
CC.1.4.7.Q Write with an awareness of the
stylistic aspects of writing.
• Choose language that expresses ideas precisely
and concisely, recognizing and eliminating
wordiness and redundancy.
• Use sentences of varying lengths and
complexities.
• Use precise language.
• Develop and maintain a consistent voice.
CC.1.4.7.T
Comments:
v. 2015-2016
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
CC.1.4.7.R Demonstrate a grade appropriate
command of the conventions of standard
English grammar, usage, capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling.
9
Teacher identified readings.
CC.1.3.7.C Analyze how particular elements of
a story or drama interact and how setting
shapes the characters or plot.
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing
Content

Informative/Explanatory Writing
How do we use information gained through
research to expand knowledge?
Essential
Question: How can our knowledge and use of the
research process promote lifelong learning?




Skills:



Assessment:

Write informative/explanatory text
Examine a topic and clearly convey
ideas, concepts, and information
Quote or paraphrase to avoid
plagiarism
Cite relevant facts, definitions, and
concrete details to develop and analyze
the topic
Organize ideas, concepts, and
information using strategies for
comparison/contrast
Use transitions for cohesion and
clarification
Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite written
work
Students can write an informative
research essay
v. 2015-2016
Duration: January/ February (5 weeks)
Literacy Skills
Grammar

MLA Format
How do we properly credit the work and ideas
of others?

How do we properly credit the work and ideas
of others?




Cite sources following MLA format








Students can use MLA formatted intext citations
10
Conducting Research
Use several sources to conduct research
to answer a question
Generate additional questions for
further research
Gather information from print and
digital sources
Assess credibility of sources
Analyze media formats and explain
how the ideas clarify a topic of study.
Present claims and findings
Use appropriate eye contact, volume,
and pronunciation
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts
and tasks
Include multimedia and visual displays
to clarify findings
Students can gather multiple, reliable
sources and extract important
information to answer their research
questions.
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
v. 2015-2016
Resources: Teacher developed prompt.
CC.1.4.7.A
CC.1.4.7.C
CC.1.4.7.E
CC.1.4.7.T
CC.1.4.7.B
CC.1.4.7.D
CC.1.4.7.F
MLA Style Manual.
CC.1.4.7.R
Gilmore, Barry. Plagiarism: A How-Not-To Guide
for Students. Portsmouth: Heinemann, 2009.
CC.1.5.7.C Analyze the main ideas and
supporting details presented in diverse media
formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and
explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or
issue under study.
CC.1.5.7.D Present claims and findings,
emphasizing salient points in a focused,
coherent manner with pertinent descriptions,
facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye
contact, adequate volume, and clear
pronunciation.
CC.1.5.7.E Adapt speech to a variety of
contexts and tasks.
CC.1.5.7.F Include multimedia components and
visual displays in presentations to clarify claims
and findings and emphasize salient points.
CC.1.4.7.S
Standards:
Comments:
11
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing
Content

Narrative Writing
Grammar

Sentence Structure
v. 2015-2016
Duration: March (3 weeks)
Literacy Skills
Meaning of Words:
 Vocabulary
 Context Clues
 Synonyms & Antonyms
 Affixes
How do writers use the connotation and
denotation of words differently?
Essential How does variety in writing influence level of
Question: interest?
How do effective speakers use language as a
tool to convey a message?
How does employing correct connotation
create accurate meaning for the reader?
How does precise word choice create
meaningful description?
How do context clues aid in deciphering the
denotation of words?

Skills:


Vary sentence patterns for meaning,
reader/listener interest, and style


Assessment:

Students can write using varying
sentence structure

Explain the function of phrases and
clauses in general and their function in
specific sentences
Choose among simple, compound,
complex, and compound-complex
sentences to signal differing
relationships among ideas
Place phrases and clauses within a
sentence, recognizing and correcting
misplaced and dangling modifiers





Students can identify and write phrases
and clauses
Students can identify and write simple,
compound, complex, and compoundcomplex sentences
12


Determine or clarify the meaning of
grade seven words
Interpret the meaning of words using
context clues
Use the relationship between synonyms
and antonyms to better understand
each word
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek
or Latin affixes as clues to the meaning
of a word
Students can determine the meaning of
unknown words through weekly
vocabulary tests
Students interpret the meaning of
unknown words using context clues
Students choose synonyms and
antonyms for given words
Language Arts: Seventh Grade

Resources: Teacher developed prompts.
CC.1.4.7.M
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
CC.1.4.7.L
v. 2015-2016
Students use affixes to determine the
meaning of unfamiliar words
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
Shostak, Jerome. Vocabulary Workshop, Level B.
New York: William H. Sadlier, Inc. 2005.
CC.1.3.7.F Determine the meaning of words
and phrases as they are used in grade‐level
reading and content, including interpretation of
figurative, connotative meanings.
CC.1.3.7.I Determine or clarify the meaning of
unknown and multiple‐meaning words and
phrases based on grade‐level reading and
content, choosing flexibly from a range of
strategies and tools.
CC.1.3.7.J Acquire and use accurately grade‐
appropriate general academic and domain‐
specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary
knowledge when considering a word or phrase
important to comprehension or expression.
Standards:
Comments:
13
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
Writing
Content

Poetry
Essential How does writing poetry foster intellectual and
Question: personal development?



How do effective writers use language as a tool
to convey a message?

Skills:


Assessment:

Write original poems of varying forms
and topics
Students can write a variety of poems
using rhymes, sound devices, figurative
language, and allusion
Students can write a text-dependent
analysis for a poem of their choice
Grammar
Style and Tone
Precise Word Choice
Punctuation for Effect






Choose language that expresses ideas
precisely and concisely
Maintain consistency in style and tone.
Choose punctuation for effect
Choose words and phrases for effect
Students can write using precise word
choice
Students can maintain consistent style
and tone in their poetry
Students can use punctuation for effect
in their poetry
v. 2015-2016
Duration: March (4 weeks)
Literacy Skills


Analyzing Poetry
Figurative Language
How does figurative language add life to
poems?
How do different poetic forms express different
themes?






Analyze how the form of a text
contributes to its meaning
Analyze the impact of rhymes and
sound devices
Interpret figurative language, allusions,
and connotations
Students can analyze how the form of a
poem contributes to its meaning
Students can analyze the impact of
rhymes, sound devices in poetry
Students can interpret figurative
language, allusions, and connotations in
poetry
Resources: Teacher developed prompt.
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
Selected poems.
Standards: CC.1.4.7.M
CC.1.4.7.L
CC.1.3.7.E Analyze how the structure or
form of a text contributes to its meaning.
CC.1.3.7.F
Comments:
14
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
v. 2015-2016
Writing
Content
Essential
Question:

Why is creative writing an important genre to
explore?
How does creative writing follow plot
structure?

Skills:







Assessment:
Presentation Outline


Grammar
Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement
Subject/Verb Agreement
What grammar concepts are needed to clearly
communicate?
Establish presentation topic and create
an outline
Use, pacing and precise word choice,
Organize using a logical sequence and
transition words
Provide a reflective conclusion
Eliminate wordiness and redundancy
Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite
presentation draft
Students will use analytical skills to
compare/contrast the hallmarks of the
mystery genre using diverse media
formats.
Resources: Teacher developed prompts.





Duration: April/ May (5 weeks)
Literacy Skills

What are common themes within the mystery
genre.

Recognize and correct inappropriate
shifts in pronoun number and person
Recognize and correct vague pronouns
Ensure subject-verb and pronounantecedent agreement
Students can recognize and correct
pronoun and subject-verb agreement
mistakes
Students can write using correct
subject-verb and pronoun agreement
Language Network. Evanston: McDougal Little.
2001.
15
Mystery Genre




Identify the characteristics of the
mystery genre and analyze how the
genre affects the story’s content
Explore example mysteries
Examine types of characters and
character development in mystery
writing
Students can analyze the elements of a
genre that contribute to the story’s
content
Students can apply the elements of a
genre to the development of their own
writings
Teacher identified readings.
Language Arts: Seventh Grade
CC.1.5.7.A
Standards: CC.1.5.7.C
CC.1.5.7.D
v. 2015-2016
CC.1.5.7.E
CC.1.5.7.F
CC.1.5.7.G
CC.1.4.7.L
CC.1.3.7.E
Comments:
16
CC.1.3.7.C