The CCSS allows for each grade level to build upon the previous year, so that new topics are being covered. Alsoour school year is split into nine week units. In each unit we cover different topics and work on gaining understanding of how to complete the CCSS.
For example, the first thing we work on is learning to make an inference (RL 7.1). Take what an author writes plus what you already know about the topic to make inferences (educated guess) about the text (story). Then find textual evidence (a sentence in the story) to support your inference (educated guess). Make sense? Yeah, usually not the first time. We are in school 36 weeks and during that time we have a lot to cover. Below are the standards that are in each nine week unit. RL stands for reading literature (fiction) and RI stands for reading informational (non-fiction). Unit One
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RL 7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text (for literature/fiction text).
RI 7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text (for non-fiction text). RI 7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. |
RL 7.5 Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning
W7.2 is also introduced and worked on the entire year **see year long standards for explanation** |
Unit Two
In this unit we read our class novel (please remember to vote). During these nine weeks, we cover: finding a theme, central idea, and creating a summary for fiction; looking at how story elements affect a story, like how the character acts a certain way because of conflict; and we look at how characters have different points of view.
RL 7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RL 7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot). |
RL 7.6 Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
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Unit Three
In this unit we dive a little deeper into understanding non-fiction and why an author does certain things in his/her writing. During these nine weeks, we cover: author's point of view or perspective and the author's purpose; finding an argument and claims; and comparing and contrasting how authors shape their writing to influence readers.
RI 7.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.
RI 7. 8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims. . |
RI 7.9 Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.
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Unit Four
In this unit we cover less standards: only one! But don't be fooled, it's a big one. Plus we are still working on fine-tuning earlier skills and continuing to practice. There is also a large writing assignment (part of that year looooong standard) that sits in between unit three and four. Our specific standard works on the skill of analyzing a fictional portrayal (story) of something that happened in the past.
RL 7.9 Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.
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Year Long Standards
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