Unit Plan 1 (Grade 7 ELA): Launching Our Reading–Writing Community
Grade 7 ELA launch unit: students build reading and writing routines, practice close reading and discussion norms, and establish writer’s workshop habits. They develop stamina, grammar precision, and collaboration to start the year as confident, engaged readers and writers.
Focus: Routines, stamina, close reading norms, writer’s workshop expectations
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Literature; Writing; Speaking & Listening; Language—Conventions)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Welcome to Grade 7 ELA! This launch week builds a strong reading–writing community. Students will establish independent reading routines and stamina, learn shared close reading norms (annotation, text-dependent questions, evidence talk), and set writer’s workshop expectations (notebook setup, feedback protocols, revision habits). We’ll also tune up core grammar/usage habits that support clear participation and polished notebook writing.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Choose appropriately challenging texts and sustain independent reading stamina using routines that support comprehension (RL.7.10).
- Participate in collaborative discussions using norms, roles, and evidence-based contributions while building on others’ ideas (SL.7.1).
- Produce clear, coherent notebook writing (quick-writes, reflections, responses) matched to task/purpose/audience (W.7.4).
- Demonstrate command of standard English grammar and usage in speaking and writing (sentence completeness, subject–verb/pronoun agreement, precise pronouns) (L.7.1).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 7
- Reading Literature 7.10 (RL.7.10): Read and comprehend literature in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently with scaffolding as needed.
- Writing 7.4 (W.7.4): Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- Speaking & Listening 7.1 (SL.7.1): Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners.
- Language 7.1 (L.7.1): Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can select a just-right book and track my reading stamina.
- I can annotate a text and use evidence to support my ideas in discussion.
- I can write clear, organized notebook entries for different purposes.
- I can speak and write using correct, clear sentences and appropriate grammar.