7th Grade Core Writing Standards Guide- Unit 1
Instructional Period 1
Sentence Construction
Build better sentences
Rationale: To express themselves in a more creative way in preparation for real world.
Big Idea: Writing is a way to communicate.
Unit Outcome: TSW compose a variety of sentences focusing on fluency, word choice, and voice
in order to enhance his/her writing.
Learner Evidence: 1. TSW write a variety of simple, compound, and complex sentences focusing
on fluency, word choice, and voice to enhance his/her writing. 2. TSW write sentences to include
varying beginnings and lengths 3. TSW incorporate the sentence structures into descriptive
chunks, short stories, and essays.
Performance Based Assessment: Incorporate a variety of sentence structures into chunks and
short stories and be able to revise and edit independently.
Approximate Length of Unit: 10-15 days Simultaneous with dissecting writing prompts
Continue to spiral for mastery through-out year.
.
Year-Long Components:
6-Traits
Sentence Structure- simple, compound, complex, spivey
Organizational structures
Figurative Language
Descriptive Language (adjectives, adverbs, expanders, specific nouns, and strong verbs)
Unit Specific Components:
-Sentence Construction (Spivey)
-Descriptive Language (adjectives, adverbs, expanders, specific nouns, and strong verbs)
-Figurative Language
See Appendix B page 77 for recommended and exemplar text
Academic Vocabulary: specific nouns, strong verbs, Main Sentence Trunk, descriptive word
(adjectives and adverbs), figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, alliteration, idioms),
expander phrases (prepositions, subordinating conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions), simple,
compound and complex sentences, Surround the Noun sentences, 3 Action sentence, Several
Action Expander sentences, -ing participle, Describer sentence, Noun Part + -ing sentence,
Renamer/Appositive Sentence.
Integrated Text Usage Component: The students will incorporate a variety of sentences types
into their writing within all subject areas.
GESD Common Core Standards Guide
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7th Grade Core Writing Standards Guide- Unit 1
Instructional Period 1
Common Core Standards:
7.L.1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when
writing or speaking.
a. Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific
sentences.
b. Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal
differing relationships among ideas.
c. Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and
dangling modifiers.
7.L.2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling when writing.
a. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie
but not He wore an old [,] green shirt).
b. Spell correctly.
7.L.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or
listening.
a. Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating
wordiness and redundancy.
7.L.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases
based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or
function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a
word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries,
thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or
clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking
the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
7.L.5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in
word meanings.
a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
b. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better
understand each of the words.
c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations
(definitions) (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending).
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7th Grade Core Writing Standards Guide- Unit 1
Instructional Period 1
7.L.6. Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific
words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important
to comprehension or expression.
7.RL.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of
sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
7.RI.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on
meaning and tone.
7.SL.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and
teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas
and expressing their own clearly.
a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly
draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and
reflect on ideas under discussion.
b. Follow rules for collegial discussions, tract progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and
define individual roles as needed.
c. Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with
relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.
d. Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own
views.
7.SL.6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal
English when indicated or appropriate.
7.W.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
7.W.10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision)
and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks,
purposes, and audiences.
Arizona State Standards:
S1C3PO4 Rearrange words, sentences, and paragraphs to clarify meaning or to enhance writing
style.
S1C3PO6 Use a variety of sentence structures to improve sentence fluency in the draft.
S1C4PO1 Identify punctuation, spelling, and grammar and usage errors in the draft.
S3C4PO1 Use accurate powerful words that effectively convey the intended message
S3C4PO2 Use words that consistently support style and type of writing
S3C4PO3 Use vocabulary that is original, varied, and natural.
S3C4PO4 Use literal and figurative language where appropriate to purpose.
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7th Grade Core Writing Standards Guide- Unit 1
Instructional Period 1
S3C5PO1 Write simple, compound, and complex sentences
S3C5PO2 Create sentences that flow together and sound natural when read aloud
S3C5PO3 Vary sentence beginnings, lengths, and patterns to enhance the flow of the writing.
S3C6- Conventions -- all Po’s
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