and compound-complex sentences to signal
differing relationships among ideas
•
Place phrases and clauses within a sentence,
recognizing and correcting misplaced and
dangling modifiers
•
Demonstrate command of the conventions of
standard English capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling when writing
•
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives
•
Spell correctly
Knowledge of language
•
Use knowledge of language and its conventions
when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
•
Choose language that expresses ideas precisely
and concisely, recognizing and eliminating
wordiness and redundancy
•
Consistently perform rapid and accurate word
naming when reading grade level or beyond
•
Consistently exhibit tone and flux when reading
grade level text or beyond
•
Continue to demonstrate connected text
comprehension when reading grade level text
Vocabulary acquisition and use
•
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
•
Use context as a clue to the meaning of a
word or phrase
•
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or
Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning
of a word
•
Consult general and specialized reference
materials both print and digital, to find the
pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify
its precise meaning or its part of speech
•
Verify the preliminary determination of the
meaning of a word or phrase
•
Demonstrate understanding of figurative
language, word relationships, and nuances in
word meanings
•
Interpret figures of speech in context
•
Use the relationship between particular words to
better understand each of the words
•
Distinguish among the connotations of words
with similar denotations
•
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
•
Monitor expository text for unknown words and
use paragraph clues to decode
•
Identify idioms, analogies, metaphors and
similes’ in prose and poetry
WRITING
Conventions
•
Use appropriate spelling strategies
•
Use punctuation accurately to guide reader
through the text
•
Use commas to punctuate items in a series,
greeting and closing of letters, dates,
introductory words, dialogue and direct address,
interrupters, compound sentences, and
appositives
•
Use a variety of more advanced punctuation
•
Use correct conventional grammar
•
Identify dependent and independent clauses
•
Identify and use simple, compound, and
complex sentences
•
Form various multiple paragraphs with main
ideas and supporting details
Ideas
•
Select and develop a narrow, manageable
topic
•
Maintain consistent focus
•
Use at least five specific details to enhance or
support topic
•
Enhance ideas using relevant, insightful, quality
details
Organization
•
Use effective organization including an inviting
introduction, logical and informative body, and a
thoughtful conclusion
•
Include graphics to enhance text
•
Refine pacing to allow for smooth flow of text
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Seventh Grade
Voice
•
Choose voice appropriate to different
audiences and genres
•
Reveal unique and personal expression through
words
•
Communicate own perspective and personal
preferences
Word Choice
•
Use patterns and vocabulary from diverse
writings
•
Use a wide range of creative language
including personification, onomatopoeia,
alliteration, and idioms
Sentence Fluency
•
Use a variety of sentence structures: simple,
compound, and complex
•
Vary sentence beginnings and lengths
Presentation
•
Consistently use format suited to audience
•
Consistently use margins in final copies
•
Include proper heading on written work
•
Use correct fonts and sizes when using word
processing
•
Integrate page numbers and bulleting into
appropriate text
Styles/Audiences
•
Determine the unique needs of different
audiences
•
Write in a variety of creative forms: jokes, plays,
fairy tales, tall tales and fables, poems, journals,
stories, narratives, friendly letters, lists
•
Write in a variety of informative forms:
newspaper articles, persuasive papers, research
papers, brochures, observations, biographies,
mathematical explanations, lab reports, and
procedures
•
Identify different forms used to cite sources
when writing reports
•
Create a bibliography
•
Write and maintain assignment lists and
personal schedules
•
Show an awareness of audience
Prewriting
•
Organize and plan writing using the following:
•
Story mapping
•
Discussion
•
Webbing
•
Outlining
•
Brainstorming
•
Role playing
•
Recall of experience
•
Listing
•
Jotting
•
Free writing
•
Drawing
•
Graphic organizers
•
Visuals
•
Generate ideas and gather information from a
variety of sources:
•
Personal experiences
•
Literature
•
Periodicals
•
Multimedia
•
Reference materials
•
Interviews
Drafts
•
Refer to prewriting activities while writing rough
draft
•
Draft fluently for extended periods of time
•
Write complete phrases, sentences, and
thoughts
•
Focus on content, not convention
Revises
•
Recognize the need to improve and adjust a
rough draft
•
Reread writing to self to check for clarity
•
Conference with peer or teacher
•
Listen to audience response and considers
change in text
•
Apply rules for correct usage of conventions
•
Changes or add language to enhance text and
style
•
Adjust text to reflect the seven-traits model of
effective writing
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Nobel Learning Curriculum Reference Guide