Unit Plan 32 (Grade 7 ELA): Writing Informational Reports with Visuals
Grade 7 ELA unit: students write formal multi-section reports with clear headings, visuals, and captions. They integrate graphics that teach, use precise academic language, maintain an objective tone, and conclude with insights that show significance or next steps.
Focus: Multi-section report; graphics & captions; formal style
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Informative/Explanatory; Visual/Media Integration)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Building on the research work from last week, students transform notes and sources into a multi-section informational report that teaches a reader clearly and professionally. They’ll plan sections with headings/subheadings, integrate purposeful graphics (charts, diagrams, maps, photos) with teaching captions, reference visuals in-text, and maintain a formal, objective style while using precise academic and domain-specific vocabulary.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Introduce a topic with a clear organizational structure (headings/subheadings) and formatting/graphics that guide understanding (W.7.2a).
- Develop sections with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples from credible sources (W.7.2b).
- Use appropriate transitions (time, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, clarification) to create cohesion within/between sections (W.7.2c).
- Employ precise language and domain-specific vocabulary; define terms as needed (W.7.2d; L.7.6).
- Maintain a formal style and objective tone throughout; format reports for readability (W.7.2e).
- Provide a concluding statement/section that reflects on significance or next steps (W.7.2f).
- Integrate digital media/visuals (charts, maps, diagrams) with informative captions/labels to clarify ideas and add interest (SL.7.5).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 7
- W.7.2a–f: Informative/explanatory writing (organization; development; transitions; precise language; formal style/formatting; conclusion).
- SL.7.5: Strategic use of digital media/visual displays to clarify claims and add interest.
- L.7.6: Acquire/use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words; show independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge.
Success Criteria — student language
- My report uses clear headings, logical sections, and in-text references to visuals (e.g., “See Figure 1”).
- My graphics teach something the text alone cannot; every visual has a caption that explains the takeaway.
- My tone is formal and objective; I use precise academic/domain words and define terms.
- My conclusion answers ‘So what?’ and points to implications or next steps.