Louisville Public Schools
7th Grade: Curriculum Topics
7th Grade Language Arts & Reading
The Learner Will...
Indicators:
Reading Skills & Strategies (7.1)
Identify and analyze elements of narrative text (character development, setting, plot develop- ment conflict, point of view, theme (7.1.6.b)
Explain the social, historical, cultural, and biographical influences in a variety of genres
(7.1.6.h)
Respond to text verbally, in writing, or artistically (7.1.6.o)
Writing Skills and Strategies (7.2)
Use pre-writing activities and inquiry tools, using available technology, to generate
and organize information, guide writing, and answer questions. (7.2.1.a)
Generate a draft by: selecting and organizing ideas relevant to topic, composing paragraphs
with sentences of varying length and complexity, and using transitional words effectively. (7.2.1.b)
Revise to improve writing (ideas, organization, sentence fluency, word choice, voice) (7.2.1.c)
Provide oral, written, and/or electronic feedback to other other writer's to improve own writing. (7.2.1.d)
Edit writing for format and conventions (7.2.1.e)
Publish writing (e.g., report, podcast, keynote) in format that applies formatting techniques to aid comprehension (7.2.1.f)
Write in a variety of genres (inform, entertain, persuade, instruct or demonstrate) (7.2.2.a)
Write in a variety of genres considering audience (known or unknown) (7.2.2.b)
Write considering characteristics of genre (7.2.2.c)
Select and apply an organizational structure appropriate to task (order of importance, similar
and different, posing and answering a question) (7.2.2.d)
Analyze models and examples of various genres in order to create a similar piece. (7.2.2.e)
Speaking and Listening Skills (7.3)
Communicate ideas and information appropriate for purpose and setting (7.3.1.a)
Demonstrate and adjust speaking techniques for variety of purposes (7.3.1.b)
Utilize available media to enhance communication (7.3.1.c)
Apply listening skills for multiple situations and modalities (7.3.2.a)
Listen and ask probing questions to elicit information (7.3.2.b)
Listen to, analyze, and evaluate message, purpose, and perspective of information (7.3.2.c)
Apply conversation strategies (listen while others are talking, eye contact, tone, stay on topic,
non-verbal cues) (7.3.3.b)
Interact and collaborate with others in learning situations by contributing questions, infor- mation, opinions, and ideas (7.3.3.c)
Students write, practice, and present four genres of speeches to the class. They write summaries of research information, then share and discuss with peers. They will participate in a debate. They use The Contender, The Outsiders, and The Hot Zone (or other oral literature) to improve listening skills. A speaker will also be brought in the enhance their listening skills. In Connection's class and Language Arts they have the opportunity to collaborate with peers, apply conversation strategies, and make informed decisions. Students interact, evaluate, and problem solve through participation in simulation units, group projects, and literature circles.
Identify, locate, and evaluate information (7.4)
Select and use multiple resources to answer questions and locate information. (7.4.1.a)
Demonstrate ethical & legal use of information by citing sources (7.4.1.b)
Practice safe and ethical behaviors when communicating and interacting with others (7.4.1.c)
While reading, listening, and viewing, evaluate the message for bias, commercialism and
hidden agendas. (7.4.1.e)
Students use the school's databases, web resources, and print materials for conducting research. They
use acceptable web site resources such as Bibme.org for creating bibliographies and complete a website
review lesson to learn techniques to evaluate credible web resources. Students learn to practice safe and ethical behaviors when communicating by using a discussion forum and on-line journaling.
Learner Outcomes: Students will...
7th Grade: Curriculum Topics
7th Grade Language Arts & Reading
The Learner Will...
- Learn & apply reading skills and strategies to comprehend text. (7.1)
- Learn & apply writing skills and strategies to communicate. (7.2)
- Learn & apply speaking and listening skills and strategies to communicate. (7.3)
- Identify, locate, and evaluate information. (7.4)
Indicators:
Reading Skills & Strategies (7.1)
- Fluency: Read a variety of grade level texts fluently with accuracy, appropriate pace, phrasing, and expression. (7.1.4)
- Vocabulary: Build literary, academic, and content specific grade level vocabulary. (7.1.5)
- Comprehension: extract and construct meaning, apply information, and monitor comprehension of
Identify and analyze elements of narrative text (character development, setting, plot develop- ment conflict, point of view, theme (7.1.6.b)
Explain the social, historical, cultural, and biographical influences in a variety of genres
(7.1.6.h)
Respond to text verbally, in writing, or artistically (7.1.6.o)
- Students read and study The Outsiders, Peter and the StarCatchers, The Contender, Fever 1793, and I Heard the Owl Call My Name.
Writing Skills and Strategies (7.2)
- Writing Process: Students will apply the writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writing
Use pre-writing activities and inquiry tools, using available technology, to generate
and organize information, guide writing, and answer questions. (7.2.1.a)
Generate a draft by: selecting and organizing ideas relevant to topic, composing paragraphs
with sentences of varying length and complexity, and using transitional words effectively. (7.2.1.b)
Revise to improve writing (ideas, organization, sentence fluency, word choice, voice) (7.2.1.c)
Provide oral, written, and/or electronic feedback to other other writer's to improve own writing. (7.2.1.d)
Edit writing for format and conventions (7.2.1.e)
Publish writing (e.g., report, podcast, keynote) in format that applies formatting techniques to aid comprehension (7.2.1.f)
- Writing Genres: Students will write for a variety of purposes and audiences in multiple genres. (7.2.2)
Write in a variety of genres (inform, entertain, persuade, instruct or demonstrate) (7.2.2.a)
Write in a variety of genres considering audience (known or unknown) (7.2.2.b)
Write considering characteristics of genre (7.2.2.c)
Select and apply an organizational structure appropriate to task (order of importance, similar
and different, posing and answering a question) (7.2.2.d)
Analyze models and examples of various genres in order to create a similar piece. (7.2.2.e)
- Students create many genres of writing including report writing, descriptive writing, author/famous person letter project, pirate research project, persuasive paragraph and essay, expositive, creative, poetry, narratives, journaling, and Egypt research project.
Speaking and Listening Skills (7.3)
- Students will develop and apply speaking skills to communicate ideas (7.3.1)
Communicate ideas and information appropriate for purpose and setting (7.3.1.a)
Demonstrate and adjust speaking techniques for variety of purposes (7.3.1.b)
Utilize available media to enhance communication (7.3.1.c)
- Listening Skills: Students will develop, apply, and refine active listening skills (7.3.2)
Apply listening skills for multiple situations and modalities (7.3.2.a)
Listen and ask probing questions to elicit information (7.3.2.b)
Listen to, analyze, and evaluate message, purpose, and perspective of information (7.3.2.c)
- Reciprocal Communication: Students will develop, apply, and adapt reciprocal communication skills (7.3.3)
Apply conversation strategies (listen while others are talking, eye contact, tone, stay on topic,
non-verbal cues) (7.3.3.b)
Interact and collaborate with others in learning situations by contributing questions, infor- mation, opinions, and ideas (7.3.3.c)
Students write, practice, and present four genres of speeches to the class. They write summaries of research information, then share and discuss with peers. They will participate in a debate. They use The Contender, The Outsiders, and The Hot Zone (or other oral literature) to improve listening skills. A speaker will also be brought in the enhance their listening skills. In Connection's class and Language Arts they have the opportunity to collaborate with peers, apply conversation strategies, and make informed decisions. Students interact, evaluate, and problem solve through participation in simulation units, group projects, and literature circles.
Identify, locate, and evaluate information (7.4)
- Multiple literacies: Students will research, synthesize, evaluate, and communicate information
Select and use multiple resources to answer questions and locate information. (7.4.1.a)
Demonstrate ethical & legal use of information by citing sources (7.4.1.b)
Practice safe and ethical behaviors when communicating and interacting with others (7.4.1.c)
While reading, listening, and viewing, evaluate the message for bias, commercialism and
hidden agendas. (7.4.1.e)
Students use the school's databases, web resources, and print materials for conducting research. They
use acceptable web site resources such as Bibme.org for creating bibliographies and complete a website
review lesson to learn techniques to evaluate credible web resources. Students learn to practice safe and ethical behaviors when communicating by using a discussion forum and on-line journaling.
Learner Outcomes: Students will...
- Create flowing, rhythmic sentences by varying sentence length and structure.
- Use the six traits and the writing process to create an effective composition of writing.
- Create and present a final draft of writing that is appropriate for the purpose, audience, and occasion.
- Research, document and apply information to support a selection of writing.
- Continue to develop independent reading skills.
- Use an outline, web, or other prewriting strategy.
- Match the tone and purpose to the audience.
- Edit text as needed.
- Use effective sentences in all types of writing.
- Add vivid verbs, precise nouns, and figurative language techniques.
- Use a variety of strategies and sources to assure proper spelling, capitalization, punctuation,
- Explore a variety of genres identifying the characteristics of that genre.
- Continue to document and celebrate independent reading selections.
- Participate in dialogue and projects that represent characters, setting, plot, theme and timeline