Seventh graders are able to focus more on growing the skills they began to develop in the 6th grade without the added stress to adjusting to the new middle school environment. By 7th grade, it is expected that students have acclimated to life as a middle school student and are therefore expected to work more independently and organize their time and schedules with less (but still some) guidance.
In general, in 7th grade, students build on the skills they learned in 6th grade by writing and reading more complex and longer texts and essays. This work will prepare them for 8th grade where they will cement and further their skills, ultimately setting them up for success in high school.
Read on for what to expect this year, and shop all seventh grade resources at The Scholastic Store.
7th Grade Reading
In 7th grade, students deepen their ability to analyze the texts they read and provide evidence from the text to do so. Specifically, 7th graders learn to examine texts more closely and use details from the text in order to develop ideas, analyze, and make inferences.
In addition, they analyze the relationships between elements within one text and across multiple texts while supporting this analysis by citing evidence from the text.
In order to build reading skills, your 7th grader:
- Analyzes texts using the text as evidence to support the analysis.
- Makes inferences about texts and uses evidence from the text to support the inferences.
- Understands the message or ideas in a text and uses evidence to support these claims.
- Understands, tracks the progress of, and summarizes the main idea of a text, using evidence from the text.
- Analyzes and explains the relationship between different elements such as character and setting.
- Analyzes the impact of specific language and word choice used in a text.
- Understands how the different structures used in a text, such as poetry or drama, affect the text.
- Compares and contrasts the different perspectives and points of views in a text.
- Determines the author’s point of view in a text using evidence from the text.
- Compares different versions such as a stage version, film, or audio version of a text, paying specific attention to the way in which elements such as lighting, scenery, or audio sounds affect the message of the text.
- Compares a historical account of an event, person, or place with a historical fiction text about the same period.
- Read a variety of texts, including stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction, or informative texts.
- Compares multiple texts written by different authors about the same topic and determines how their different perspectives are presented through their presentation of facts and the inferences they make.
7th Grade Writing
Similar to the work they do in reading, 7th graders deepen their writing skills by using analysis, paying close attention to detail and providing reasons, proofs, and examples for the ideas they express. 7th graders write a variety of genres, including informative pieces, opinion pieces, and narratives and they complete both short-term and long-term writing assignments.
There is also particular attention paid to research and teaching students to do their own independent research and research projects as described below, specifically through the use of digital resources.
In order to build writing skills, your 7th grader:
- Writes arguments that present clear reasons and relevant evidence and include:
- Introductions
- Acknowledgements of opposing claims
- Logical and orderly presentations of reasons and evidence
- The use of appropriate transitions, words, and phrases to connect claims
- A concluding sentence or paragraph which supports the argument made
- A formal tone and style
- Writes structured and well organized opinion, research, and informative pieces that:
- Use supporting claims and evidence that are based on credible texts and resources
- Include an introduction that has an explanation of what follows
- Develop topics through the use of facts, detailed quotations, and examples and subject specific terms and definitions
- Include transitions that connect concepts and paragraphs
- Include a conclusion that supports the presented idea(s)
- Maintain a formal “essay type” style
- Integrate other forms of media and formats, such as graphs, charts, headings, and audio or video when appropriate
- Writes well-structured narratives (both true and fiction) that include:
- A narrator, characters, and a point of view
- Descriptive detail and sensory language to describe characters, settings, and experiences
- Dialogue details and descriptions of characters, setting, and experiences
- A clear structure with a logical order and flow, as shown through the use of transition words
- A conclusion that is connected to and builds on the narrative
- Plans, revises, and edits writing, specifically with guidance from teachers and peers, focusing specifically on trying new approaches and making sure the writing has a purpose and appeals to its audience
- Uses technology and the Internet to produce and publish writing
- Works with others and cites sources
- Works on multiple, short research projects that answer a specific question and cite multiple sources, while gathering additional questions for later research
- Uses both print and digital resources to conduct research, focusing on using appropriate search terms and reliable sources
- Uses quotes and a standard format for citation
- Uses research to analyze and make inferences
Shop the best resources for seventh grade below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
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