English Language Arts & Literacy

In 7th grade, your child will analyze, define, compare, and evaluate ideas when reading, writing, speaking, and listening. He or she will continue to analyze how themes in fiction and nonfiction develop over the course of a book or article. Readings will include classic and contemporary pieces that represent diverse perspectives. In particular, students will refine their ability to cite specific evidence when offering an interpretation of a text matures. They will use relevant evidence when supporting their own points in writing and speaking, making their reasoning clear to readers or listeners or constructively evaluating others’ use of evidence. This ability will help your child in every facet of his or her studies.

A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 7th Grade

• Citing several sources of specific evidence from a piece when offering an oral or written analysis of a book, essay, article, or play

• Analyzing works of fiction to see how events advance the plot and how setting shapes the characters

• Determining an author’s point of view or purpose in a nonfiction work and analyzing how the author takes a position different from other authors

• Organizing and focusing his or her own writing, including supporting statements and conclusions with evidence and showing that the evidence is accurate and reliable

• Conducting research in response to a specific question by drawing on evidence from several credible literary or informational sources to support an analysis or reflection essay

• Avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citations (e.g., footnotes, bibliography)

• Evaluating a speaker’s key points and reasoning, asking questions, and stating his or her own well supported ideas in discussions

• Presenting claims and findings to others emphasizing main points, making eye contact, speaking loudly enough, pronouncing words clearly, and using formal English when the situation calls for it

• Using common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to defining the meaning of a word (e.g., semi-, semiannual, semicircle