Language Arts Department

COURSE CONTENT - Grade 7

Writing

A. Analytical essays (1 per semester)

1. Introduction
2. Proof of thesis
3. Conclusion

B. Timed writings (1 per semester)

1. Literature excerpt given to read at home
2. Class discussion follows on possible prompts and strategies for responding
3. In-class timed writing

C. Commonplace page

1. One per grading period
2. Introduces and/or reviews writing concepts

D. Monthly bibliographic activity for II.B.

Literature

A. Core novels

1. Dragonwings
2. The Miracle Worker
3. Teacher-selected reading from literature book

B. Self-selected monthly genre novels with bibliographic activity

C. Literary elements

1. Setting
2. Point of view
3. Character analysis
4. Conflict, climax, conclusion
5. Theme
6. Literary devices
   • Similes
   • Metaphors
   • Personification
     
     

Conventions

A. Writing complete sentences

1. Fragments
2. Run-on sentences

B. Subject (simple/compound) and verb agreement

C. Pronouns

1. Pronoun forms
   
   • Subject pronouns
   • Object pronouns
   • Possessive pronouns
2. Pronouns in contractions

D. Modifiers

1. Adjectives and adverbs
2. Double negatives
3. Word choice
   
   • Bad and badly
   • Few/little , fewer/less

E. Consistent use of verb tenses

F. Capitalization

1. Proper nouns and adjectives
   
   • Names and personal titles
   • Languages, nationalities, religious terms
   • School subjects
   • Organizations, institutions
   • Geographical names, events, time periods

G. Punctuation

1. Commas/semicolons in compound sentences
2. Elements set off in a sentence
   
   • Introductory words
   • Nouns of address
   • Appositives
   • Interrupters
3. Elements in a series
4. Dates, addresses, letters
5. Quotations
   
   • Direct quotations
   • End punctuation
   • Divided quotations
   • Quotation citation in analytical essays

H. Spelling

Reading Comprehension

• Reading log
• Teacher-selected vocabulary