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In Grade 7, students will continue to build their language skills through a variety of texts and writing exercises.
*Note* Main skills being learned in each unit are highlighted here, however, other skills will be continuously woven into each of these units throughout the school year
Unit 1 – Sentence Structure and Paragraphing (September)
Goal: Students will know how to write proper, detailed sentences and proper paragraphs
Skills:
○ Understanding the basic structure of a sentence (subject / predicate)
○ Recognizing fragment and run-on sentences and being able to correct them
○ Creating compound and complex sentences (adding sentence detail)
○ Understanding the 4 types of sentences and the proper punctuation for them
○ Understanding the basic structure of a paragraph (topic/body/conclusion)
Unit 2 – Superhero Universe (September – October)
Goal: Through writing and visuals, students will create a character that interacts within a classroom-created world
Skills:
○ Using “Show” not “Tell” method of creative writing
○ Writing to appeal to the 5 senses
○ Sequencing events when writing (cause and effect)
○ Writing partnerships
Unit 3 – Heroes (October – November)
Goal: Through the study of various heroes, students will learn reading and research strategies
Skills:
○ Finding key ideas when reading
○ Making inferences and personal connections
○ Using 5 “Ws” to add to detail to paragraph writing
○ Researching techniques (good sources, good information to use, paraphrasing)
Unit 4 – Novel Study – Underground to Canada (December – January)
Goal: Students will read a novel to learn important themes, story elements, and characterization
Skills:
○ Reading strategies (highlighting, predicting, using inference, making personal connections)
○ Reading Comprehension (Higher order thinking) and generating their own opinions
○ Writing a 5 paragraph essay (Intro paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, concluding paragraph)
Unit 5 – Poetry through Music (February – March)
Goal: Through the study of songs, students will learn the elements of poetry
Skills:
○ Understanding and using the poetic devices (simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia)
○ Understanding rhyme scheme and different types of poems (couplets, quatrains, limericks, free verse)
○ Understanding and using imagery when writing
○ Writing a properly structured song using poetic devices, rhyme scheme, and imagery
Unit 6 – Story Study through Graphic Novels (April – May)
Goal: Students will explore the importance of story elements through the study of graphic novels
Skills:
○ Understanding the different story elements (character, setting, plot, conflict, theme)
○ Finding the story elements within their graphic novels and applying their knowledge
○ Using visuals to enhance understanding
Unit 7 – Building a Franchise (June)
Goal: Building off of the previous unit, students will collaborate to create their own original franchise that could span movies, television, books, and/or comics
Skills:
○ Collaborating with classmates to apply knowledge of story elements
○ Oral presentation techniques (presence, eye contact, volume, pace)
○ Creating an effective visual presentation
Assessment:
Students will be assessed in the categories of:
1) Writing
2) Reading
3) Listening and Viewing
4) Speaking and Representing
5) Critical Thinking
Assessments will come in the form of:
1) Writing evaluation
2) Reading Comprehension evaluation
3) Assignments
4) Projects (individual and group)
5) Presentations and Personal Observations
Students will write a collaboratively developed common assessment so that every teacher understands what the expected learning outcomes are for each of their students. The assessments will serve as a tool to inform students on areas of strength and outcomes that may need further support for the following school year. Students will be collecting their work throughout the year in a portfolio. The assessments completed throughout the school year will serve as a resource and practice for the final assessment in May/June.