Unit Plan 29 (Grade 7 ELA): Procedural / How-To Explanatory Writing
Grade 7 ELA unit: students write clear, step-by-step how-to essays using logical sequencing, precise language, and effective formatting. They apply transitions, visuals, and measurable details to create organized, user-friendly procedural writing.
Focus: Clear steps, transitions, precise language; formatting for clarity
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Informative/Explanatory; Language—Usage & Conventions)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Procedural writing teaches a reader how to do something—safely, efficiently, and without the writer in the room. This week, students plan and draft a how-to that uses: (1) logical step sequences with strong transitions, (2) precise, measurable language and domain vocabulary, and (3) formatting (headings, numbered steps, callouts/visuals) to make instructions easy to follow. We’ll end with a usability test and concise revisions for clarity and correctness.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Introduce a process with clear purpose/audience, organize steps logically, and use formatting and visuals to aid comprehension (W.7.2a).
- Develop steps with facts, definitions, concrete details, and examples, including safety/quality checks (W.7.2b).
- Use appropriate transitions to clarify sequence and relationships (time, condition, cause/effect) (W.7.2c).
- Choose precise language and domain-specific vocabulary; specify quantities, tools, and criteria for success (W.7.2d).
- Maintain a cohesive style and objective tone; include headings/numbering and clear formatting (W.7.2a–e).
- Provide a concluding statement that reflects the result, tips, or variations (W.7.2f).
- Demonstrate command of grammar/usage: phrases/clauses, sentence variety and placement (L.7.1a–c) and conventions: capitalization, punctuation (incl. commas with coordinate adjectives), spelling (L.7.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 7
- W.7.2a–f: Informative/explanatory writing—introduce/organize; develop with facts/examples; transitions; precise language; formatting/graphics; concluding statement.
- L.7.1a–c: Explain/choose functions of phrases/clauses; vary between simple/compound/complex sentences; place phrases/clauses for clarity.
- L.7.2: Observe conventions of standard English (capitalization, punctuation, spelling), including commas with coordinate adjectives.
Success Criteria — student language
- My steps are numbered, actionable, and in order, with time/condition transitions.
- My language is measurable and precise (e.g., “Bake for 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden”).
- My formatting (headings, bullets, callouts, visuals) makes the task easy to follow.
- A peer can complete my task without asking me questions.