7th- Second 9 weeks 

For the second nine weeks, students will be focusing on the writing process. The writing unit includes four-squares, research, reliable and unreliable resources, citations, as well as writing their own narrative and informative/expository essays and projects. Students will also be reading and analyzing narrative short stories and "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. While reading "A Christmas Carol" in class, students will  be focusing on vocabulary, analyzing writing, plot/setting/ character development,  comparing and contrasting fictional and nonfictional portrayals of a time period, and creating predictions and inferences.  Students will complete a variety of Read Works assignments in order to develop skills in finding and citing pieces of evidence to support their claims or responses to the nonfiction articles.  

• Literature (Fiction)

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.RL.1

      • I can read and understand different texts

  • Key Ideas and Textual Support

    • 7.RL.2.1

      • I can analyze what a text says explicitly.

      • I can draw inferences from a text.

      • I can cite several textual evidence to support my analysis of a text. 

    • 7.RL.2.2

      • I can analyze how a theme or central idea is developed in a work of literature.

      • I can provide a detailed summary of a work of literature that supports my analysis of the theme or central idea.

      • I can identify key events and details that support the theme or central idea. 

    • 7.RL.2.3

      • I can analyze how elements interact in a work of literature.

      • I can analyze how the settings shapes the characters.

      • I can analyze how the setting shapes impacts the plot.

      • I can use the setting to help determine what the conflict is in the work of literature.

      • I can determine the effect that one character's action has on another character.

    • 7.RL.2.4 

      • I can make predictions and inferences based on the story.

  • Structural Elements and Organization

    • 7.RL.3.1

      • I can analyze the structural elements of a story text, such as subplots, parallel episodes, climax, and conflict to determine how they contribute to the meaning and plot.

      • I can identify the climax of a in a work of literature.

      • I can identify the conflict and resolution in a work of literature.

      • I can analyze how the subplots contribute to the overall plot of a text.

    • 7.RL.3.2

      • I can determine the point(s) of view of a work of literature.

      • I can analyze how an author develops and contrasts the different points of view in a story. 

  • Synthesis and Connection of Ideas

    • 7.RL.4.1

      • I can compare and contrast a written text with its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia versions.

      • I can identify and analyze elements from a written story, play or poem that are also present in the audio, staged or multimedia versions.

      • I can cite textual evidence to compare and contrast a written text with the audio, staged or multimedia version.

    • 7.RL.4.2

      • I can compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and the historical account it is based on.

      • I can use a historical account of a time, place, or character as a means of understanding how authors of fiction alter history.

      • I can determine when historical events have been altered in a fictional text.

• Literature (Nonfiction)

  • Key Ideas and Textual Support

    • 7.RN.2.1

      • I can identify what is explicitly stated in a text.

      • I can make inferences based on textual evidence.

      • I can identify and quote passages from a text to support my response.

      • I can cite several pieces of textual evidence to support my inferences.

  • Structural Elements and Organization

    • 7.RN.3.1

      • I can locate information and gain meaning from a text.

    • 7.RN.3.2

      • I can analyze how an author structures a nonfiction text.

      • I can analyze how a particular section contributes to development of ideas in the overall structure of a nonfiction text.

    • 7.RN.3.3

      • I can determine an author’s perspective and purpose in a nonfiction text.

      • I can analyze how the author’s perspective and purpose is distinguished from that of others

  • Synthesis and Connection of Ideas

    • 7.RN.4.1

      • I can trace and evaluate an author’s argument.

      • I can identify and evaluate the author’s reasoning.

      • I can evaluate the author’s evidence.

      • I can identify instances of bias and stereotyping in a nonfiction text.

• Vocabulary

  • Vocabulary Building

    • 7.RV.2.1

      • I can use context to determine the meaning of words and phrases.

    • 7.RV.2.2

      • I can use the relationship between particular words to better understand each word. 

    • 7.RV.2.3

      • I can distinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations.

• Writing

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.W.1

      • I can write different essays for different purposes. 

  • Writing Genres :Argumentative. Informative, and Narrative

    • 7.W.3.2

      • I can write informative compositions in a variety of forms.

      • I can write an introduction that previews what is to follow and organizes ideas.

      • I can use formatting, graphics and multimedia when useful.

      • I can include relevant facts, definitions, details, quotes, and examples from various sources to develop my topic.

      • I can use appropriate transitions.

      • I can choose language and content-specific vocabulary to express ideas precisely and concisely.

      • I can establish and maintain a style appropriate to my purpose and audience.

      • I can write a conclusion. 

    • 7.W.3.3

      • I can write narrative compositions in a variety of forms.

      • I can write an exposition that engages and orients the reader.

      • I can organize an event sequence that uses transitional words, phrases, and clauses. I can use narrative techniques such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and characters.

      • I can use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.

      • I can write an ending to my story. 

  • The Writing Process

    • 7.W.4

      • I can apply with writing process.

      • I can plan and develop a draft.

      • I can revise my writing using appropriate reference materials.

      • I can edit my writing.

      • I can use technology to interact and collaborate with others, and to generate, produce, and publish writing.

  • The Research Process: Finding, Assessing, Synthesizing, and Reporting Information

    • • 7.W.5

        • I can conduct short research assignments and tasks to build knowledge.

        • I can formulate a research question.

        • I can gather relevant information from multiple sources.

        • I can assess the credibility and accuracy of each source.

        • I can quote or paraphrase the information and conclusions of others.

        • I can avoid plagiarism and follow a standard format for citation.

        • I can present research information in a variety of formats. 

• Speaking and Listening

  • Discussion and Collaboration

    • 7.SL.2.1

      • I can build on ideas of others.

      • I can express my personal ideas and beliefs.

      • I can ask my peers questions about their opinion of the topic, text, and issue at hand.

      • I can respond to my peer’s questions about my opinion of the topic, text, and issue at hand.

    • 7.SL.2.2

      • I can investigate and reflect on ideas in a discussion using evidence.

  • Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

    • 7.SL.4.1

      • I can present claims and findings.

      • I can emphasize the most important points in a focused, coherent manner.

      • I can use pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples.

      • I can use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation while presenting. 

    • 7.SL.4.2

      • I can create engaging presentations.

      • I can use multimedia components and visual displays to clarify claims and findings and emphasize important points in presentations.

• Media Literacy 

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.ML.1

      • I can analyze information from different sources. 

• Literature (Fiction) 

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.RL.1

      • Read a variety of literature within a range of complexity appropriate for grades 6-8. By the end of grade 7, students interact with texts proficiently and independently at the middle of the range and with scaffolding as needed for texts at the high end of the range. 

  • Key Ideas and Textual Evidence

    • 7.RL.2.1

      • Analyze what a text says explicitly as well as draw inferences from the text through citing several pieces of textual evidence.

    • 7.RL.2.2

      • Analyze the development of a theme or central idea over the course of a work of literature; provide a detailed summary that supports the analysis.

    • 7.RL.2.3

      • Analyze the interaction of elements in a work of literature (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot)

    • 7.RL.2.4 

      • Make predictions about the context of text using prior knowledge of text features, explaining whether they were confirmed or not and why.

  • Structural Elements and Organization

    • 7.RL.3.1

      • Analyze how a work of literature’s structural elements such as subplots, parallel episodes, climax, and conflicts contribute to its meaning and plot.

    • 7.RL.3.2

      • Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a work of literature

  • Synthesis and Connection of Ideas

    • 7.RL.4.1

      • Compare and contrast a written story, play or poem with its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in film).

    • 7.RL.4.2

      • Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.

• Literature (Nonfiction)

  • Key Ideas and Textual Support

    • 7.RN.2.1

      • Analyze what a text says explicitly as well as draw inferences from the text through citing several pieces of textual evidence

  • Structural Elements and Organization 

    • 7.RN.3.1

      • Apply knowledge of text features in multiple print and digital sources to locate information, gain meaning from a text, or solve a problem.

    • 7.RN.3.2

      • Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.

    • 7.RN.3.3

      • Determine an author’s perspective or purpose in a text, and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from the positions of others.

    • 7.RN.4.1

      • Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims, noting instances of bias and stereotyping.

• Vocabulary 

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.RV.1

      • Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and content-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • Vocabulary Building

  • 7.RV.2.1

    • Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.

  • 7.RV.2.2

    • Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.

  • 7.RV.2.3

    • Distinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations.

• Writing

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.W.1

      • Write routinely over a variety of time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences; apply reading standards to support analysis, reflection, and research by drawing evidence from literature and nonfiction texts.

  • Writing Genres: Argumentative, Informative, and Narrative

    • 7.W.3.2

      • Write informative compositions in a variety of forms that –

        • Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition and classification; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.  

        • Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples from various sources and texts.  

        • Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

        • Choose language and content-specific vocabulary that express ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.

        • Establish and maintain a style appropriate to purpose and audience.

        • Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented

  • 7.W.3.3

    • Write narrative compositions in a variety of forms that –

      • Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters.

      •  Organize an event sequence (e.g., conflict, climax, resolution) that unfolds naturally and logically, using a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.

      • Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, 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.

      • Provide an ending that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

  • The Writing Process

    • 7.W.4

      • Apply the writing process to all formal writing including but not limited to argumentative, informative, and narrative –

        •  Plan and develop; draft; revise using appropriate reference materials; rewrite; try a new approach; and edit to produce and strengthen writing that is clear and coherent, with some guidance and support from peers and adults.

        • Use technology to interact and collaborate with others to generate, produce, and publish writing and link to sources.

  • The Research Process: Finding, Assessing, Synthesizing, and Reporting Information 

    • 7.W.5

      • Conduct short research assignments and tasks to build knowledge about the research process and the topic under study.

        • Formulate a research question.

        • Gather relevant information from multiple sources, using search terms effectively, and annotate sources.

        •  Assess the credibility and accuracy of each source.

        • Quote or paraphrase the information and conclusions of others.

        • Avoid plagiarism and follow a standard format for citation.

        • Present information, choosing from a variety of formats.

• Speaking and Listening

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.SL.2.1

      • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (e.g., one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) on grade- appropriate topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing personal ideas clearly.

  • Discussion and Collaboration

    • 7.SL.2.2

      • Investigate and reflect on ideas under discussion by identifying specific evidence from materials under study and other resources

  • Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

    • 7.SL.4.1

      • 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.

    • 7.SL.4.2

      • Create engaging presentations that include multimedia components and visual displays to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points

• Media Literacy 

  • Learning Outcome

    • 7.ML.1

      • Critically analyze information found in electronic, print, and mass media used to inform, persuade, entertain, and transmit culture.

• Criterion

• ReadWorks

• Novels

  • A Christmas Carol

• Notes and assignments on Canvas