7th Grade ELA (South Dakota Content Standards)

Reading Literature (RL)

• 7.RL.1 Cite several pieces of evidence for what the text says directly and for inferences.
• 7.RL.2 Work out a theme or central idea.
  • a. Analyze how it develops across the text.
  • b. Identify key details that support the analysis.
• 7.RL.3 Analyze how elements of a story or play affect each other, e.g. setting shaping characters or plot.
• 7.RL.4 Interpret words and phrases as the author intended.
  • a. Work out figurative and connotative meanings and how they shape tone and mood.
  • b. Analyze how sound devices and allusions affect a particular part of a text.
• 7.RL.5 Analyze how a text's overall form or structure (drama, poem, narrative, short story) adds to its meaning.
• 7.RL.6 Analyze how an author builds and contrasts the viewpoints of characters or narrators.
• 7.RL.7 Compare a written text with an adapted version and analyze how media techniques such as lighting, sound or camera affect meaning.
• 7.RL.9 Compare a fictional picture of a time, place or person with a historical account to see how fiction uses or changes history.
• 7.RL.10 Read and understand varied literary texts at grade 7 level on one's own.
  • a. Show proficiency with grade-level texts.
  • b. Choose texts for enjoyment, interest and schoolwork.
  • c. Read widely to understand different perspectives.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• 7.RI.1 Cite several pieces of evidence for points made directly and by inference.
• 7.RI.2 Work out two or more central ideas.
  • a. Analyze how they develop across the text.
  • b. Give an objective summary.
• 7.RI.3 Analyze how people, events and ideas interact, e.g. how ideas influence people or the reverse.
• 7.RI.4 Work out figurative, connotative and technical meanings and how word choice affects meaning and tone.
• 7.RI.5 Analyze how the author structures sentences, paragraphs and larger sections to develop ideas.
• 7.RI.6 Work out the author's point of view or purpose and how it differs from other viewpoints.
• 7.RI.7 Compare a text with its audio, video or multimedia version and analyze how each portrays the subject.
• 7.RI.8 Trace and evaluate an argument and its claims.
  • a. Judge whether the reasoning is sound.
  • b. Judge whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient.
• 7.RI.9 Analyze how two or more authors on one topic present key information differently through evidence or interpretation.
• 7.RI.10 Read and understand literary nonfiction and informational texts at grade 7 level from varied genres and perspectives.
  • a. Show proficiency with grade-level texts.
  • b. Choose texts for enjoyment, interest and schoolwork.
  • c. Read widely to understand different viewpoints.

Language (L)

• 7.L.1 Use standard grammar and usage in writing or speaking, building on earlier skills.
  • a. Explain what phrases and clauses do in general and in particular sentences.
  • b. Choose simple, compound, complex or compound-complex sentences to show relationships.
  • c. Place phrases and clauses within a sentence.
  • d. Spot and fix misplaced and dangling modifiers.
• 7.L.2 Use standard capitalization, punctuation and spelling when writing.
  • a. Use commas between coordinate adjectives.
  • b. Use commas and semicolons correctly in compound and complex sentences.
  • c. Spell correctly, knowing some words have accepted variants.
• 7.L.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions in writing, speaking, reading and listening.
  • a. Keep style and tone consistent while varying sentence patterns.
  • b. Choose precise, concise language and cut wordiness and repetition.
  • c. Recognize nonstandard English and judge whether it suits the purpose and audience.
• 7.L.4 Work out or clarify unknown and multiple-meaning words using a range of strategies.
  • a. Use context clues.
  • b. Use common Greek or Latin affixes and roots.
  • c. Use general and specialized references for pronunciation, meaning or part of speech.
  • d. Check first guesses at word meanings.
  • e. Learn about the history of the English language.
• 7.L.5 Understand figurative language, word relationships and shades of meaning.
  • a. Interpret figures of speech, including literary, biblical and mythological allusions.
  • b. Use relationships such as synonym, antonym and analogy to understand words.
  • c. Tell apart the connotations of words with similar dictionary meanings.
• 7.L.6 Learn and use grade-level academic and subject-specific words.
  • a. Research words and build word knowledge.
  • b. Use the words in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Writing (W)

• 7.W.1 Write arguments backed by clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • a. Introduce claims, acknowledge opposing claims and organize logically.
  • b. Support claims with sound reasoning and credible sources.
  • c. Use transitions to link claims, reasons and evidence.
  • d. Keep a formal style.
  • e. End with a conclusion that supports the argument.
• 7.W.2 Write informative pieces that examine a topic through well-chosen, organized and analyzed content.
  • a. Preview the topic, organize it by strategies such as comparison or cause and effect and use headings or graphics.
  • b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, details, quotations and examples.
  • c. Use transitions to make the writing hang together.
  • d. Use precise language and subject-specific words.
  • e. Keep a formal style.
  • f. End with a conclusion that supports the explanation.
• 7.W.3 Write narratives and creative texts with effective technique, details and a well-built order of events.
  • a. Set the context and point of view, introduce the narrator or characters and order events logically.
  • b. Use dialogue, pacing, rhythm, description and poetic devices.
  • c. Use transitions to signal sequence and shifts in time or setting.
  • d. Use precise words, details and figurative and sensory language.
  • e. End by reflecting on the experience, when it suits the genre.
• 7.W.4 Write clearly and coherently with development, style, tone and voice suited to task, purpose and audience.
• 7.W.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed.
  • a. Use the writing process: plan, draft, revise, edit, rewrite or try a new approach.
  • b. Focus on how well purpose and audience are addressed.
  • c. Use help from peers, adults and digital tools, editing to show command of Language standards 1–3.
• 7.W.6 Use technology to format, produce and publish writing.
  • a. Link to and cite sources in MLA or APA format.
  • b. Interact and work with others.
  • c. Type well enough to write with stamina in one sitting.
• 7.W.7 Carry out short research projects that answer a question using several sources and raise related questions.
• 7.W.8 Gather relevant information from several print and digital sources.
  • a. Use search terms well.
  • b. Judge the credibility and accuracy of each source.
  • c. Quote or paraphrase others' data and conclusions without plagiarizing.
  • d. Follow a standard citation format.
• 7.W.9 Draw on evidence from literature or informational texts for analysis, reflection and research.
• 7.W.10 Write regularly over longer and shorter time frames and choose topics and formats independently.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• 7.SL.1 Take part well in group discussions with different partners on grade 7 topics.
  • a. Come prepared with researched material and refer to evidence.
  • b. Follow agreed rules, track goals and deadlines and define roles.
  • c. Ask questions that draw out more detail and add relevant ideas.
  • d. Acknowledge new information and change views when justified.
  • e. Cooperate, mediate and solve problems to reach group decisions.
• 7.SL.2 Analyze main ideas and details in different media and explain how they clarify a topic.
• 7.SL.3 Set out a speaker's argument and claims and evaluate the reasoning and whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient.
• 7.SL.4 Present claims and findings suited to purpose and audience.
  • a. Include relevant descriptions, facts, details and examples.
  • b. Use suitable eye contact, volume and clear pronunciation.
  • c. Stress key points in a focused, coherent way.
• 7.SL.5 Include multimedia and visual displays that clarify claims and stress key points.
• 7.SL.6 Adapt speech to different contexts, audiences and tasks using self-reflection, feedback and formal English when suitable.