Course Description:

• English 7 builds students’ skills in writing and reading with an increased focus on nonfiction. Writing instruction reviews the narrative mode and continues to build academic writing skills with the argumentation essay, text-dependent analysis, and character analysis. Ongoing instruction in standard English conventions parallels the writing assignments, emphasizing practical application of these skills. Reading instruction focuses on vocabulary development and building comprehension and close reading skills, as applied to short texts as well as novel studies. Each unit in reading is designed with a gradual release approach, starting with whole-group instruction, moving toward small-group learning, and concluding with students independently reading and applying reading strategies. Seventh Grade Nebraska State Language Arts Standards are assessed through coursework, District Common Assessments, and the NSCAS-ELA.

Course Materials:

• myPerspectives (Pearson)

• Becoming Naomi León, Pam Muñoz Ryan

• Ghost, Jason Reynolds

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio

• Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick