Grade 7

Vocabulary Development and Word Analysis Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies and understanding textual features (e.g. sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).

Reading Literature and Informational Texts - Craft and Structure Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.

Reading Literature and Informational Text - Comprehension, Response, and Analysis Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works, and literature from many periods

Writing – Processes and Features Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

Grammar and Usage Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration Students adjust their use of spoken language to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

Determine word meanings (based on grade seven reading)

Understand word relationships.

Interpret the figurative and connotative meanings of words and phrases as they are used in a text.

Utilize the structural features of media and use the features to obtain information 

Distinguish major categories and features of literary genre (e.g. stories from poems, fiction from non-fiction)

Describe the structure an author uses to organize specific text

Determine point of view and cultural context on which media is portrayed

Analyze nonfiction and informational text

Expository critique - Assess evidence of nonfiction and informational literature

Identify a purpose for reading

Interpret text using background knowledge, literary elements and inferences.

Apply Catholic values, virtues, Catholic Social Teachings in evaluation of literary themes and plots

Describe how a story’s plot unfolds (in a series of episodes or as a problem to be solved) as well as how characters adapt or change as they move toward a resolution

Identify and analyze features and themes conveyed through characters, actions and images

Interpret figurative and connotative meanings of words and phrases, as they are used in text, to explain meaning

Determine the causes or reasons that link different events, ideas, or information in a text, drawing on key details

Evaluate, critique, and interpret a variety of literature from different eras and cultures and authors

   Extend awareness of world cultures and historical perspectives through diverse texts, including first-person materials, accounts of historical events, documents and historical fiction.

Compare and contrast the accounts of a subject in different mediums (e.g. person’s life story told in print, video, or multimedia)

Distinguish among fact, opinion, propaganda, and reasoned judgment presented

Assess the similarities and differences between two or more texts on the same subject. 

Expand the use of reference materials for gathering information and develop rubric for evaluating validity of sources from web sources.

Self-select appropriate texts for research and personal reading

Produce grade appropriate coherent, clear, and legible writing in which organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

Write routinely for a range of tasks, purposes and audiences, over short and extended time frames

Engage in a writing process of planning, reviewing, revising, editing, rewriting, evaluating or trying a new approach 

Emphasize content as well as mechanics in written work

Compose paragraphs that are based on information, flow from reading and describe events and observations

Write for different purposes; information, persuasion, description, and to a specific audience or person, adjusting tone and style as necessary

Write for correspondence

Write focused narratives

Write expository, informative/explanatory, descriptive, and technical texts 

Perform focused research tasks that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic using several sources

 Write in response to literary or informational source

Write persuasive compositions that state a clear position on a proposition or proposal

Use technology in an appropriate way,including the internet, to produce, publish and interact with others about writing, including linking to and citing online sources in order to avoid plagiarism.

Observe conventions of grammar and usage in writing and speaking

Observe conventions of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling

Use appropriate and varied sentence types to develop paragraphs

Initiate and engage in group discussions on seventh grade topics and texts being studied in class

Analyze, evaluate, and interpret information presented in visual or multimodal formats

Present information emphasizing salient points with pertinent descriptions and details, using appropriate manners and speech, adequate volume, clear pronunciation, and use of visuals

Identify the purpose of a presentation and apply appropriate presentation skills for the particular purpose

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown or multiple-meaning words through the use if one or more strategies, such as understanding how the word is used in a sentence; analyzing the word’s sounds, spelling, and meaningful parts; and consulting glossaries or beginning dictionaries, both print and digital 

Use known prefixes, root words, and suffixes as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root (e.g., belligerent,bellicose,rebel)

Verify the preliminary determination of a word’s meaning (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or looking up a word in the dictionary)

Interpret various figures of speech (e.g., allegory) relevant to particular texts

Apply the etymologies of frequently used foreign words in English speaking and writing

Trace the network of uses and meaning that different words have and the interrelationships among the meanings and uses

Distinguish a word from other words with similar denotations but different connotations

Identify analogies: word and synonym, word and antonym, part and whole

Describe, in detail, a specific word choice and its impact on meaning and tone.

Apply idioms, analogies, similes, metaphors, alliteration, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and personification

Understand and analyze the structural features of media and use the features to obtain information

Discuss the purposes and characteristics of different forms of written text, such as short story, novel, novella and essay 

Explain how author’s purpose for writing influences the contents of the selection (e.g., inform, entertain, persuade)

Explore literature from diverse cultural backgrounds

Analyze how structure impacts the meaning of a poem

Identify how text structure affects meaning, including chronological order, order of importance and special order

Explain how a sentence, chapter, scene or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the plot or themes

Describe how any given sentence, paragraph, section or chapter fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of ideas

Identify and trace the development of an author’s argument, point of view or perspective

Identify how the author presents the points of view of different characters, including their different reactions to the same person or events

Determine how the author’s point of view influences the cultural context of a text

Compare the point of from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first and third person narrations

Draw conclusions, make reasonable statements, inferences, and predictions about a text, supporting the conclusions, statements with evidence from the text

Connect and clarify main ideas by identifying their relationships to multiple sources and related topics

Clarify an understanding of texts by creating outlines, notes, diagrams, summaries, or reports

Assess the adequacy, accuracy, and appropriateness of the author’s evidence to support claims and assertions, noting instances of bias and stereotyping

Student will read a variety of texts and genres to build an interest in leisure, academic, and informational reading

Identify events that advance the plot and determine how each event explains past or present action or foreshadows future action

Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or specific incidents in the story or drama reveal aspects of character, or provoke a decision

Analyze how two or more themes or central ideas in a text relate to one another, drawing on key details

Identify and explain the effects of common literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, or metaphor in a variety of texts

Describe in detail how an author introduces, illustrates, and elaborates a key idea in a text (e.g. through example or anecdotes)

Compare reviews of literary works and determine what influences the reviewer

Compare and contrast the works of various authors

Analyze how the method of delivery affects the impact of the information being portrayed

Identify the stated and unstated premises of an argument and explain how they contribute to the conclusion reached

Analyze where two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same subject and determine whether the texts disagree on matters of fact or on matters of interpretation of those facts

Provisional writing – brief, daily writing that supports learning (brainstorming, spontaneous, routine tasks)

Readable writing – intended for an audience (essay test question, assignment –short response answers)

Polished writing – engaged in the full writing process (plan, research, reflect, revise; first draft, second draft, final)

Revise writing to improve the organization and consistency of ideas within and between paragraphs to improve meaning and clarity. 

Collaborate with adults and peers throughout the writing process to enhance ideas and techniques

Discuss ideas for writing, keep a list of ideas, and use a graphic organizer to plan writing

Reflect on how well questions of purpose have been addressed and revise writing as needed

Use strategies of note-taking, outlining, and summarizing to impose structure on composition text

Edit and proofread one’s own writing, as well as that of others, using an editing checklist or set of rules, with specific examples of corrections of frequent errors

Demonstrate the ability to use punctuation to affect meaning and flow in a written piece 

Apply spelling and grammar rules to all written work

Write multi-paragraph informational text that engage the interest of the reader, state a clear purpose, develop the topic with supporting details and precise language, and conclude with a detailed summary linked to the purpose of the summary

Support all statements and claims with anecdotes, descriptions, facts and statistics

Use varied word choices to make all types of writing interesting and more precise for the reader

Use symbols, pictures and charts to convey thoughts and meaning in a written document

Friendly and business letters

Memos that portray the appropriate tone

Thank you notes

Email and electronic notes that portray the appropriate tone

Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view, and have an organized sequence of events or experiences

Develop narrative elements (e.g., setting, event sequence, complex major and minor characters) using relevant sensory details and devices such as dialogue, suspense and the naming of narrative action

Write biographical, autobiographical and short stories that develop a standard plot line and point of view.

Use a variety of transition words, phrases and clauses to convey sequence, shift from one time frame or setting to another, and/or show the relationships among the events and experiences

Choose words and phrases to develop the events, experiences, and ideas precisely

Provide a satisfying conclusion that follows from events, experiences, or ideas

Introduce a topic, state a thesis, organize information appropriate to the purpose, use strategies such as definition, classification, compare/ contrast, and cause/effect and offer evidence to support arguments and conclusions

Develop the topic with relevant and accurate facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples

Use appropriate links and varied sentence structures to join and clarify ideas

Use straightforward language to create an objective style, appropriate for a reader seeking information 

Provide a conclusion that follows logically from the information or explanation presented

Produce a 5-10 paragraph essay

Identify the need for correct citation of sources to avoid plagiarism

Use MLA (or APA) style for bibliography

Gather information from experience as well as print and digital resources, take notes on sources, categorize evidence, restate, summarize or paraphrase information

Participate in shared research and writing projects

Use a variety of resources and documents

Demonstrate that sources have been evaluated for accuracy, bias and credibility

Demonstrate the distinction between one’s own ideas from the ideas of others

Cite sources used

Provide basic bibliographic information using MLA or APA format

Draw from text to support analysis and reflection describing what has been learned

Develop an interpretation that shows careful reading, understanding and insight

Reference standards in Reading Literature and Informational Text- Comprehension, Response and Analysis (beginning on page 29)

Describe the points in support of the proposition employing well-articulated evidence using effective emotional, logical and ethical appeals

Anticipate and address reader concerns and counterarguments

Identify and define the functions of the parts of speech including adverbs, adjectives, interjections and conjunctions

Identify nouns with particular emphasis on concrete, abstract and collective nouns as a part of speech

Use nouns of direct address and appositives

Identify and use words in the possessive case, nominative case and objective case

Demonstrate understanding of and use of predicate nominative and predicate adjective (predicate nouns or subject complements)

Identify direct and indirect objects

Identify the antecedent of the pronoun and agreement of antecedent with the pronoun

Identify and use relative pronouns, intensive/reflexive, possessive, demonstrative and indefinite pronouns

Identify and properly use present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect verb tenses

Identify and use modifiers such as adjective and adverb phrases; identify the words they modify 

Identify and use infinitives

Use correct capitalization rules

Follow correct of use of commas when punctuating subordinate clauses

Identify and correctly use a hyphen, dash, parentheses, bracketing and semi-colon

Demonstrate the use of quotation marks

Spell correctly, derivatives by applying the spelling of bases and affixes

Use simple, compound and complex sentences

Use effective coordination and subordination of ideas, including both main ideas and supporting details in single sentences to express complete thoughts

Identify passive and active voice, choosing active voice to produce clear, concise writing

Use a variety of complex transitions between sentences to build coherency within paragraphs

Use phrases and clauses within sentences, paragraphs, and essays

Identify and properly use parallelism to present ideas in a series and items juxtaposed for emphasis

Prepare for discussions by completing reading or conducting research and explicitly draw on that material in discussion 

Ask questions to elicit information, including evidence to support the speaker’s claims and conclusions 

Cooperate with peers to set clear goals and deadlines

Advance a discussion by asking questions, responding precisely, and sharing factual knowledge and observations

Ensure a forum for the range of positions on an issue

Take the views of others into account and, when warranted, modify personal view in light of the evidence presented 

Demonstrate respect for the views of others assessing new ideas against Catholic doctrine

determine the main ideas and supporting elements presented in oral, visual, or multimodal formats and explain how the information presented clarifies and contributes to a topic or issue under study

determine the speaker’s attitude toward the subject 

analyze the effect on the viewer of images, text and sound in electronic journalism and identify the techniques used to achieve the effects

provide helpful feedback to speakers concerning the coherence and logic of a speech’s content and delivery and its overall impact on the listener

evaluate a speaker’s or presenter’s reasoning and claims as well as the degree to which each claim is logically supported by the evidence provided

analyze the use of rhetorical devices, including rhythm and timing of speech, repetitive patterns and the use of onomatopoeia for intent and effect

Organize information to achieve particular purposes and to appeal to the background and interest of the audience

Arrange supporting details, reasons, descriptions and examples effectively

Use adjustments in tone, volume and timing of speech and enunciation for effective presentations

Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate

Incorporate digital media and visual displays of data when helpful and in a manner that strengthens the presentation

Recite poems, scripture passages, sections of speeches, or dramatic soliloquies using voice modulation, tone and gestures expressively to enhance the meaning

Deliver narrative presentations that establish a context, plot, and point of view, including sensory details and specific language to develop the plot and character, use a range of narrative devices, including dialogue, tension or suspense and showing narrative action with movement, gestures, and expressions

Give research presentations that pose relevant and concise questions about the topic, provide accurate information on the topic, include evidence generated through the formal research process, including the use of computer databases, magazines, newspapers, and dictionaries, citing reference sources appropriately

Deliver descriptive presentations that establish a clear point of view on the subject, establish the presenter’s relationship with the subject, contain effective, factual descriptions of appearance, concrete images, shifting perspectives and sensory details

Provide oral summaries of articles and books that include the main ideas and the most significant details; state in own words, except when quoting directly from sources, demonstrate a complete understanding of sources, not just superficial details

Make persuasive presentations that state a clear position in support of an argument or proposal, describe the points in support of the proposal and include supporting evidence