Unit Plan 17 (Grade 7 ELA): Explanatory Writing with Graphics & Citations
Grade 7 ELA unit: students write multi-paragraph explanatory articles integrating charts or diagrams, clear captions, and citations. They analyze how visuals convey information and publish polished pieces.
Focus: Multi-paragraph sections; integrating charts/diagrams; citing sources
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Informative/Explanatory; Reading Informational—Media/Visuals)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Informational writing should teach clearly and show evidence. This week, students plan and draft a multi-paragraph explanatory article with well-structured sections, integrated charts/diagrams, and basic citations. They will analyze how visuals convey information compared with prose, write useful captions, and produce a polished short article for a real audience.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Introduce a focused topic and organize ideas into coherent sections with headings and purposeful transitions (W.7.2a, W.7.2c).
- Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples, using precise language and domain vocabulary (W.7.2b, W.7.2d).
- Maintain a formal style and provide a concluding section that follows from the explanation (W.7.2e–f).
- Integrate visuals (charts, diagrams, labeled images) and explain how the medium conveys or clarifies information compared with text (RI.7.7).
- Gather and cite information from credible sources; quote/paraphrase accurately and avoid plagiarism (W.7.8).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 7
- Writing 7.2a–f (W.7.2a–f): Write informative/explanatory texts with clear introduction, development, transitions, precise language, formal style, and concluding section.
- Reading Informational 7.7 (RI.7.7): Compare/contrast a text and its audio/video/multimedia presentation; analyze effects unique to each medium (applied here to charts/diagrams vs. prose).
- Writing 7.8 (W.7.8): Gather information from multiple sources; assess credibility; quote/paraphrase; provide basic citations; avoid plagiarism.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can outline sections with headings and transitions that make sense.
- I can embed a chart/diagram and explain what it shows better than words alone.
- I can cite my sources and use quotes/paraphrases correctly.
- I can end with a conclusion that reinforces the main explanation.