Unit Plan 31 (Grade 7 ELA): Extended Research Project
Grade 7 ELA unit: students design focused research projects, gather credible print and digital sources, and take organized notes. They draft and publish concise reports using technology tools for collaboration, accurate citations, and digital literacy skills.
Focus: Planning inquiry, multiple sources, note-taking, tech-supported drafting
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Research & Process; Digital Literacy)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students will launch a focused research mini-project from a student-generated question, build a multi-source set (text + media), take organized notes with accurate quote/paraphrase practices, and use technology to draft, collaborate, and publish. The week culminates in a concise, evidence-based report with citations and a works cited.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Plan and conduct a short research project to answer a self- or teacher-generated question, narrow/refocus as needed (W.7.7).
- Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess credibility; quote/paraphrase accurately; avoid plagiarism; provide basic bibliographic information (W.7.8).
- Use technology (docs, comment tools, citation tools, slide/embed options) to draft, collaborate, revise, and publish their writing (W.7.6).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 7
- Writing 7.7 (W.7.7): Conduct short research projects; narrow/refine inquiry.
- Writing 7.8 (W.7.8): Gather from multiple sources; assess credibility; quote/paraphrase; avoid plagiarism; cite.
- Writing 7.6 (W.7.6): Use technology to produce/publish writing, link to information, and collaborate.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can write a focused research question and a sub-question set.
- I can keep a source log with credibility notes and working citations.
- I can paraphrase and quote accurately, with page/section markers.
- I can draft and revise in a shared doc, responding to comments, and include a works cited.