7th Grade English Quarterly Units
Unit 1: Themes of Human Rights, Cooperation and Family
Anchor Texts: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul
Curtis (7H students will also read Tangerine by Edward Bloor while 7R
students read selected novels.)
Skills: Active Reading for Comprehension (CPR Chart); Vocabulary Word
Parts and Using Context; Analyzing Themes in Literature; Paragraph Structure
and Essay Structure
Additional Readings and Themes: Harlem Renaissance Poetry and Art;
Langston Hughes author study; The Civil Rights Movement; Human Rights
Literature/Poetry - "Thank You, M'am" by L. Hughes, "To You" by L. Hughes;
"If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking" by E. Dickinson; “I Have a Dream” by
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Media: Informational clips related to The Harlem Renaissance, WWII, the Civil Rights Movement, and
selected authors.
Speaking and Listening: Write and present Human Rights Report, perform plays on Hughes and MLK
Informational Writing: Poetry and art analysis; Short responses on the literature; essay on Watsons,
Human Rights Report; Current Events Report(s)
Narrative/Creative Writing: Letter to the Teacher, I Am ___ Poem, Simile/Metaphor Poem
Unit 2: Author's Purpose and the Hero’s Journey
Anchor Texts: "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens (7H students will
be finishing Tangerine and 7R will finish selected novels)
Skills: Author's Purpose and the Hero’s Journey; Parts of Speech (paired
with "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll); Phrases and Clauses; Compound
and Complex Sentences; Vocabulary
Readings and Themes: Charles Dickens and human rights in Victorian
England; fables, myths and allegories
Literature/Poetry: "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" by Rudyard Kipling, "The Turtle" by
Mary Oliver, "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll; Selected myths and fables
Media: Informational clips on poverty in Victorian England; Film of "A Christmas Carol," short animated
adaptations of “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”
Speaking and Listening: Write and present Myth/Legend Project; perform “A Christmas Carol” play
Informational Writing: Essay on A Christmas Carol (Author's Purpose); Current Events Report(s)
Narrative/Creative Writing: “Thanksgiving Letter; Essay on "My Favorite Celebration"; Explain and
rewrite a myths or legend for the Myth/Legend Project.
Unit 3: Character and Theme – O. Henry, Robert Frost, The Cay and ELA
Anchor Texts: "A Retrieved Reformation" and “After Twenty Years” by O.
Henry
Skills: M/C Question Types; Paragraph Structure and Essay Structure;
Analyzing Character; Poetry
Additional Readings and Themes: Biography of O. Henry; WWII; sample
ELA passages; “Independent Reading”: biography for “Biography Interview”
Literature/Poetry: Short Stories by O'Henry: "A Retrieved Reformation" and
After Twenty Years"; Poetry by Robert Frost: "The Pasture" and "A Time to
Talk"; The Cay by Theodore Taylor
Media: Informational clips related to the literature.
Speaking and Listening: Write and act out script for Biography Interview
Informational Writing: Character analysis in O. Henry stories; Selected ELA writing tasks; Current Events
Report(s)
Narrative/Creative Writing: Put together the “Mid-Year Portfolio” and get Feedback Sheets completed;
Write a script and act out a talk show as a “book report” for the “Biography Interview.” (Enrichment: Rewrite
a scene from “A Retrieved Reformation” from Annabelle’s perspective. Write a eulogy for Timothy from
Philip’s perspective. )
Unit 4: Science Fiction as a Reflection of Society
Anchor Text: "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" by Rod Serling
Skills: Writing: Organization and publication of the writing portfolio;
Persuasive/argument informational and creative writing techniques;
Grammar – phrases, clauses, and dangling modifiers
Additional Readings and Themes: Author studies of Rod Serling and Ray
Bradbury; articles about the themes of science fiction
Literature/Poetry: Short Stories by Ray Bradbury: "Dark They Were, and GoldenEyed" and "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind"
Media: Short Clips from Science Fiction movies; The Twilight Zone: "The Monsters Are Due on Maple
Street"; Selected episodes of Ray Bradbury Theater
Speaking and Listening: Perform the play “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”
Informational Writing: About the Author (for the portfolio); Current Events Report(s); Responses to Ray
Bradbury Theater episodes
Narrative/Creative Writing: Connection Essay: Write about a theme, character or event that relates to
you; Biography Interview script; Reflection Piece: How you have shown growth as a writer, Letter to the
Reader and Dedication