United States · Common Core State Standards
7th Grade English Language Arts
This curriculum focuses on the development of critical reading and analytical writing skills through a diverse range of literary and informational texts. Students examine how authors build meaning through craft and structure while refining their own voices in academic and creative expression.
The Power of Narrative: Analyzing Plot and Character
Students investigate how authors develop complex characters and intricate plot structures to convey universal themes. This unit emphasizes textual evidence and the impact of setting on character choices.
Analyze how internal and external conflicts drive character development over the course of a story.
Explore how sensory details and word choice establish the mood and influence the plot's progression.
Examine the effects of different perspectives and how an author's choice of narrator shapes the reader's understanding.
The Art of Persuasion: Argument and Rhetoric
Students learn to identify and evaluate the strength of arguments in informational texts and media. They practice constructing their own evidence based claims using rhetorical appeals.
Identify the central claim of a text and distinguish between supported and unsupported assertions.
Analyze the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in speeches and persuasive essays.
Draft a formal argument that uses clear reasoning and relevant evidence to support a specific position.
Uncovering Information: Research and Synthesis
Students engage in the research process by generating inquiry questions, evaluating sources for bias, and synthesizing information from multiple platforms.
Develop focused research questions and use advanced search techniques to find relevant information.
Assess the credibility and accuracy of various digital and print sources.
Combine information from different texts to create a cohesive understanding of a topic.
The Poetic Voice: Structure and Figurative Language
Students explore the nuances of poetry and drama, focusing on how form contributes to meaning and how figurative language enhances imagery.
Analyze how metaphors, similes, and personification deepen the reader's connection to the text.
Study how line breaks, stanzas, and rhyme schemes influence the rhythm and meaning of a poem.
Examine the unique elements of drama, including dialogue, stage directions, and soliloquies.
Language in Action: Conventions and Style
Students refine their command of standard English grammar and usage while exploring how style and vocabulary choices affect the tone of their writing.
Master the use of simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to improve writing flow.
Use context clues, Greek and Latin roots, and reference materials to determine the meaning of unknown words.
Apply rules for commas, semicolons, and colons to enhance the readability and sophistication of student writing.
The Shared Conversation: Speaking and Listening
Students develop collaborative discussion skills and learn to present complex ideas through multimedia presentations and formal debates.
Practice active listening and constructive responding during group academic discussions.
Integrate visual and audio elements into a presentation to clarify information and engage the audience.
Deliver a speech or participate in a debate using appropriate eye contact, volume, and clear pronunciation.