What does a student learn in StateTennessee,GradeGrade 7,SubjectEnglish Language Arts?

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.

When reading or listening, explain the function of phrases and clauses with effectively-placed modifiers.

When writing or speaking, produce simple, compound, and complex sentences with effectively-placed modifiers.

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. When reading or writing, explain the function of commas to separate coordinate adjectives and use them correctly to do so.

When writing and speaking, choose precise language to express ideas concisely.

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on 7th grade-level text by choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or a phrase.

Use common grade-appropriate morphological elements as clues to the meaning of a word or a phrase.

Consult reference materials, both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or phrase.

Use etymological patterns in spelling as clues to the meaning of a word or phrase.

When reading, listening, writing, and speaking, explain the function of figurative language, word relationships, and connotation/denotation and use them correctly and effectively.

Acquire and accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; cite several pieces of textual evidence to support conclusions.

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary.

Analyze how specific elements of a story or drama interact with and affect each other.

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including allusions to other texts and repetition of words and phrases.

Analyze the form or structure of a story, poem, or drama, considering how text form or structure contributes to its theme and meaning.

Analyze how an author establishes, conveys, and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multi-media version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium.

Compare and contrast an historical account with a fictional portrayal of the same time, place, or character.

Read and comprehend a variety of literature throughout the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with a gradual release of scaffolding at the high end as needed.

Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; cite several pieces of textual evidence to support conclusions.

Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary.

Analyze the relationships and interactions among individuals, events, and/or ideas in a text.

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including allusions to other texts and repetition of words and phrases.

Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.

Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.

Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of a text, analyzing each medium's portrayal of the subject.

Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.

Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing an alternate explanation of events.

Read and comprehend a variety of literary nonfiction throughout the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with a gradual release of scaffolding at the high end as needed.

Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media formats; explain how this clarifies a topic, text, or issue under study.

Explain a speaker's argument and specific claims, focusing on whether the reasoning is sound, relevant, and sufficient.

Prepare for collaborative discussions on 7th grade level topics and texts; engage effectively with varied partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own ideas clearly.

Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and to emphasize major points.

Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Introduce claim(s).

Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, sufficient evidence; acknowledge alternate or opposing claim(s).

Organize the reasons and evidence clearly and clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.

Use credible sources and demonstrate an understanding of the topic or source material.

Craft an effective and relevant conclusion that supports the argument presented.

Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary.

Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

Use varied sentence structure to enhance meaning and reader interest.

Establish and maintain a formal style.

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Introduce a topic clearly, using the introduction to prepare the reader for what is to follow.

Organize ideas, concepts, and information using effective strategies to create cohesion and aid in comprehension.

Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

Thoroughly and accurately explain and elaborate on the evidence provided, demonstrating a clear understanding of the topic and the source material.

Craft an effective and relevant conclusion.

Include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when appropriate.

Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary.

Use varied sentence structure to enhance meaning and reader interest.

Establish and maintain a formal style.

Write narratives (fiction and nonfiction) to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or participants/characters.

Organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

Create a smooth progression of experiences or events.

Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description when appropriate, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts, and show the relationships among experiences and events.

Craft an effective and relevant conclusion that reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 7.)

Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to collaborate with others; link to and cite sources; type a complete product in a single sitting as defined in W.1-3.

Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on multiple sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.

Integrate relevant and credible information from print and digital sources; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

Support interpretations, analyses, reflections, or research with evidence found in literature or informational texts, applying grade 7 standards for reading; assess whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.

Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.