LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

English Language Arts — Grade 7

Goal 3: The learner will refine the understanding and use of argument.

Objective 3.01. Analyze a variety of public documents that establish a position or point of view by:

  • monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and /or viewed.
  • identifying the arguments and positions stated or implied and the evidence used to support them.
  • recognizing bias, emotional factors, and/or semantic slanting.
  • examining the effectiveness of style, tone, and use of language.
  • summarizing the author's purpose and stance.
  • examining the importance and impact of establishing a position or point-of-view.
  • making connections between works, self and related topics.
  • drawing inferences.
  • responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials, reviews, local/state/national policies/issues).

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Interdisciplinary Integrated Unit on DNA/Genetics Part C: Language Arts
The third lesson of an interdisciplinary integrated unit on DNA and genetics, focusing on language arts. The first two lessons in the unit focus on science and math.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
By Jane Lentz, Jimmy White, Marlene Smith, and Tori Goldrick.

Resources on the web

Why preserve biodiversity?
In this lesson from the National Geographic Xpeditions website, students discuss the importance of maintaining ecosystems and find out about the various arguments that people make in favor of preserving the Earth's biodiversity. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Science)
Provided by: Xpeditions
Persuasive essay: Environmental issues
In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students explore environmental issues that are relevant to their own lives, self-select topics, and gather information to write persuasive essays. Although this lesson focuses on the environment as a broad topic, many other... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
The penny problem
In this lesson from EconEdLink, students explore possibilities for “phasing out” the penny from the United States money supply. This lesson incorporates links to a variety of web resources. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: EconEdLink
Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Power of Nonviolence
This lesson introduces students to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence and the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi that influenced King's views. After considering the political impact of this philosophy, students explore its relevance to personal... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: EDSITEment
Inventing and presenting unit 2: Effective speeches and building the invention
This lesson is part of a three-part unit from ReadWriteThink titled “Inventing and Presenting.” In this interdisciplinary unit, students use what they have learned about experimentation and the scientific method, critical thinking, clear writing,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Science)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Exploring free speech and persuasion with "Nothing but the Truth"
In this ReadWriteThink lesson, after reading the novel Nothing But The Truth, students discuss the protagonist Phillip and his right to free speech as well as their own rights. Students examine various Web sites to research First Amendment... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Entering history: Nikki Giovanni and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students study the social impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech by reading Nikki Giovanni’s poem “The Funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr.”. Students complete a close reading of the text of King's speech and... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Book report alternative: A character's letter to the editor
This lesson that focuses on Carl Hiaasen’s Newbery Honor Book Hoot, includes an exploration of the genre of letters to the editor, a review of persuasive writing structure and letter format, and an emphasis on multi-draft... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Battling for liberty: Tecumseh's and Patrick Henry's language of resistance
This lesson challenges students to think critically about how people resist oppression through the spoken word. By examining two speeches by Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee alongside Patrick Henry's famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Authentic persuasive writing to promote summer reading
This ReadWriteThink lesson invites students to create brochures and flyers that suggest books and genres to explore during the summer months. Rather than a teacher-centered requirement, summer reading becomes a student-driven exploration with brochures... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink