Course Description

  • The overall emphasis in this course will be on developing effective writing, reading, and listening skills, with an emphasis on composing organized paragraphs and essays. In addition to short story, poetry, and non-fiction selections, students will also read the novel, Tangerine, poetry, and self-selected texts. Students will write short essays that analyze literary techniques used in literature. In addition, students learn how to write a research paper using reliable resources, parenthetical citation and a works cited page.

Proficiency learning targets for Grade 7 ELA

  • Writing Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Make and develop claims to support an argument. (7.7.1.1)
    • Support claims with sufficient evidence. (7.7.1.1)
    • Acknowledge counterclaims. (7.7.1.1)
    • Organize using formal academic writing. (7.7.1.1)
    • Produce clear and coherent writing. (7.7.4.4)
    • Organize and develop content using a formal writing process. (7.7.4.4)
    • Generate effective research questions. (7.7.7.7)
    • Develop an outline according to evidence gathered. (7.7.7.7)
    • Integrate multiple types of credible sources to support research. (7.7.8.8)
    • Provide accurate citations for evidence. (7.7.8.8)

    Reading-Literature Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Cite textual evidence that most strongly supports the analysis. (7.4.1.1)
    • Determine what the text says explicitly. (7.4.1.1)
    • Summarize a text. (7.4.2.2)
    • Explain how a theme develops over the course of a text. (7.4.2.2)
    • Use context clues to define words and phrases, including figurative language. (7.4.4.4)
    • Explain how words and phrases contribute to tone and mood. (7.4.4.4)
    • Self-select a variety of student-appropriate texts based on interest. (7.4.10.10)

    Speaking and Listening Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Participate in a variety of discussions on substantive topics. (7.9.1.1)
    • Prepare for discussions by gathering evidence and perspectives. (7.9.1.1)
    • Abide by commonly held rules, goals, and outcomes that define the purpose of the discussion. (7.9.1.1)

    Language Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Correctly use grammar in speaking and writing. (7.11.1.1; 7.11.2.2)
    • Correctly use punctuation and spelling in writing. (7.11.1.1; 7.11.2.2)
    • Use context clues and word structure to determine meaning of words. (7.11.4.4)

Resources

  • Short Stories:

    • Seventh Grade
    • Rikki Tikki Tavi
    • The Monsters Due On Maple Street
    • Charles

    Novels:

    • Tangerine

    Poetry:

    • Highway Man
    • I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud
    • Identity
    • Oranges
    • Railway Train
    • Annabel Lee

    Writing Projects:

    • Objective Summary
    • Research Paper
    • Compare and Contrast
    • Short Written Analysis of Literature

    Other Resources:

    • Scope Magazine
    • IXL
    • Self Selected Texts