Our Curriculum › Writing & Grammar › 7th Grade
Writing 7
A year of 7th-grade writing built around arguments that answer opposing views, informative and research writing, and many kinds of storytelling from mysteries to graphic stories. Sentence grammar and revision are practiced throughout.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
10 units
Each opens to its lessons
Mystery & graphic story
Plus a research report and podcast script
Standards
Common Core Grade 7 writing & language
What's taught, unit by unit
Arguments, informative writing & sentence buildingDays 1–20
An argument that addresses an opposing claim with evidence, then an informative piece with categories, precise vocabulary, transitions and a formal conclusion. Grammar: phrases and clauses, compound and complex sentences, modifiers, conjunctions, commas.
- 1 · Welcome to Writing 7: Addressing Opposing Claims
- 2 · Writing a Claim and Identifying Opposing Views
- 3 · Addressing an Opposing Claim with Evidence
- 4 · Organizing Claims, Reasons, and Evidence Logically
- 6 · Phrase and Clause Function
- 7 · Compound and Complex Sentences
- 8 · Compound-Complex Sentences
- 9 · Correcting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
- 11 · Introducing a Topic Clearly (Informative Writing)
- 12 · Organizing Information with Categories
- 13 · Using Precise Language and Domain-Specific Vocabulary
- 14 · Using Transitions to Clarify Relationships
- 16 · Writing a Formal Conclusion
- 17 · Using Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions
- 18 · Varying Sentence Structure for Style
- 19 · Using Commas with Introductory Elements
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Narrative writing & the research reportDays 21–40
Narrative openings, dialogue, pacing and endings, and a historical fiction scene. Then a full research report: research questions, several sources, avoiding plagiarism, outline, draft, works cited, revising and editing.
- 21 · Writing a Narrative: Engaging the Reader
- 22 · Using Dialogue and Description
- 23 · Using Narrative Techniques: Pacing
- 24 · Writing a Satisfying Narrative Conclusion
- 26 · Writing a Historical Fiction Scene
- 27 · Using Correct Verb Tense Consistency
- 28 · More Practice with Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
- 29 · Using Precise Language in Narrative Writing
- 31 · Research: Generating Research Questions
- 32 · Gathering Information from Multiple Sources
- 33 · Avoiding Plagiarism and Citing Sources
- 34 · Organizing Research into an Outline
- 36 · Drafting a Research Report
- 37 · Using a Works Cited List
- 38 · Revising for Clarity and Focus
- 39 · Editing for Grammar and Mechanics
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Poetry, short story & persuasive speechDays 41–60
Poems with figurative language and sound devices, a short story with setting, conflict, climax and resolution, peer feedback, and a persuasive speech with reasons, repetition, a call to action and spoken delivery.
- 41 · Poetry Writing: Using Figurative Language
- 42 · Poetry Writing: Sound Devices
- 43 · Writing a Short Story: Establishing Setting
- 44 · Writing a Short Story: Building Conflict
- 46 · Writing a Short Story: Rising Action and Climax
- 47 · Writing a Short Story: Resolution
- 48 · Using Similes and Metaphors in Narrative Writing
- 49 · Peer Revision Using Specific Feedback
- 51 · Writing a Persuasive Speech: Choosing a Topic
- 52 · Using Strong Reasons and Evidence in Your Speech
- 53 · Using Repetition for Persuasive Effect
- 54 · Writing a Strong Call to Action
- 56 · Delivering a Speech: Voice and Pacing
- 57 · Varying Sentence Length for Effect
- 58 · More Practice with Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions
- 59 · Revising for Word Choice Precision
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Literary analysis & creative formsDays 61–80
A literary analysis essay about The Giver, a fact-checked news summary and a balanced argument, then coming-of-age, identity, letter-form and satire pieces, and a comparative essay on two texts with one theme. Grammar: pronoun agreement, commas.
- 61 · Writing a Literary Analysis Essay: Thesis Statement
- 62 · Selecting Strong Textual Evidence
- 63 · Writing Body Paragraphs with Evidence and Analysis
- 64 · Writing an Introduction and Conclusion for a Literary Essay
- 66 · Writing a Fact-Checked News Summary
- 67 · Writing a Balanced Argument on a Current Issue
- 68 · Using Correct Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- 69 · Peer Editing for Grammar and Style
- 71 · Writing a Coming-of-Age Narrative
- 72 · Writing About Personal or Cultural Identity
- 73 · Writing a Letter in an Epistolary Format
- 74 · Writing Humor and Satire
- 76 · Writing a Comparative Essay: Two Texts, One Theme
- 77 · Using Transitions to Compare and Contrast
- 78 · Using Correct Comma Usage in Complex Sentences
- 79 · Finalizing and Polishing Your Comparative Essay
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Science fiction, myth, hero's journey & mysteryDays 81–100
A halfway portfolio, a science fiction scene, a myth, archetypes, a hero's journey story from outline to final draft, and a mystery with suspects, clues, a red herring, an investigation, a reveal and fair-play checking.
- 81 · Halfway Milestone: Writing Portfolio
- 82 · Writing a Science Fiction Scene
- 83 · Writing a Myth Explaining a Natural Event
- 84 · Using Archetypes in Your Own Writing
- 86 · Writing a Hero's Journey Outline
- 87 · Drafting a Hero's Journey Short Story
- 88 · Using Vivid Verbs and Precise Nouns
- 89 · Finalizing Your Hero's Journey Story
- 91 · Writing a Mystery: Planning Clues and Suspects
- 92 · Writing a Red Herring
- 93 · Writing the Opening Scene of Your Mystery
- 94 · Writing the Investigation Scenes
- 96 · Writing the Reveal Scene
- 97 · Checking Your Mystery for Fairness
- 98 · Revising for Suspense and Pacing
- 99 · Editing Your Mystery for Grammar and Clarity
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Survival narrative, data report & formal essayDays 101–120
A survival narrative about a character facing nature, a report built around a graph or chart with sources cited, and a formal essay with a claim, analogies, statistics, expert testimony, a counterargument and logical flow.
- 101 · Writing a Survival Narrative: Planning the Challenge
- 102 · Writing Character vs. Nature Conflict
- 103 · Writing Resourceful Problem-Solving Scenes
- 104 · Writing a Theme of Perseverance
- 106 · Writing a Data-Based Report
- 107 · Choosing and Creating an Effective Data Display
- 108 · Explaining Data Without Misleading Readers
- 109 · Citing Data Sources Correctly
- 111 · Writing a Formal Essay: Choosing a Claim
- 112 · Using Analogies to Clarify Ideas
- 113 · Using Statistics and Expert Testimony as Evidence
- 114 · Addressing a Counterargument
- 116 · Writing a Powerful Introduction
- 117 · Writing an Effective Conclusion
- 118 · Revising for Logical Flow
- 119 · Final Editing: Grammar and Citation Check
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Graphic story, podcast & biographical sketchDays 121–140
A graphic story scene with panels, dialogue and descriptions for an illustrator, a podcast script written for the ear, and a biographical sketch with research, key details, an obstacle, chronological or thematic order and citations.
- 121 · Writing a Graphic Story Scene: Planning Panels
- 122 · Writing Effective Dialogue for a Graphic Scene
- 123 · Writing Visual Descriptions for an Illustrator
- 124 · Adapting a Prose Scene into Graphic Format
- 126 · Writing a Podcast Script: Planning
- 127 · Writing Sound Effect and Music Cues
- 128 · Writing Conversational, Spoken-Style Language
- 129 · Recording or Presenting Your Script
- 131 · Writing a Biographical Sketch: Choosing a Subject
- 132 · Researching Your Subject's Life
- 133 · Selecting the Most Significant Details
- 134 · Writing About an Obstacle Your Subject Overcame
- 136 · Writing an Engaging Introduction for Your Sketch
- 137 · Organizing Your Sketch Chronologically or Thematically
- 138 · Writing a Conclusion About Your Subject's Legacy
- 139 · Finalizing and Citing Your Biographical Sketch
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Mixed review & portfolioDays 141–150
Mixed review of narrative, argument, informative writing and grammar, then choosing and revising a best piece for a portfolio, writing a reflection on growth and setting goals for next year.
- 141 · Mixed Review: Narrative Writing Skills
- 142 · Mixed Review: Argumentative Writing Skills
- 143 · Mixed Review: Informative Writing Skills
- 144 · Mixed Review: Grammar and Sentence Skills
- 146 · Choosing Your Best Piece for a Portfolio
- 147 · Revising Your Chosen Piece One More Time
- 148 · Writing a Reflection on Your Growth as a Writer
- 149 · Setting Writing Goals for Next Year
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
More craft & a synthesis essayDays 151–160
A foil character, a frame story, a free verse poem, a dramatic monologue, a synthesis essay combining sources, academic vocabulary, varied sentence openings and a final proofread of the portfolio.
- 151 · Writing a Foil Character
- 152 · Writing a Frame Story Structure
- 153 · Writing a Free Verse Poem
- 154 · Writing a Dramatic Monologue
- 156 · Writing a Synthesis Essay: Combining Multiple Sources
- 157 · Writing with Precise Academic Vocabulary
- 158 · Writing with Varied Sentence Openings
- 159 · Final Proofreading Pass on Your Portfolio
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Mastery checks, practice tests & celebrationDays 161–180
Mastery checks and practice tests on narrative, argument, informative writing, grammar, research and the writing process, a portfolio presentation, celebration days and a preview of next year. Mostly review.
- 161 · Reviewing Complex Multi-Paragraph Writing
- 162 · Mastery Check: Narrative Writing
- 163 · Mastery Check: Argumentative Writing
- 164 · Mastery Check: Informative Writing
- 166 · Practice Test: Grammar and Mechanics
- 167 · Practice Test: Writing Process Skills
- 168 · Practice Test: Research and Citation Skills
- 169 · Reviewing the Writing Process One Last Time
- 171 · Final Review: Narrative and Argumentative Writing
- 172 · Final Review: Informative and Research Writing
- 173 · Final Review: Grammar and Sentence Craft
- 174 · Preparing Your Writing 7 Portfolio Presentation
- 175 · Presenting Your Writing 7 Journey
- 176 · Writing 7 Celebration Day: Favorite Pieces
- 177 · Writing 7 Celebration Day: Skills Showcase
- 178 · Looking Ahead: Preparing for Writing 8
- 179 · Final Reflection: A Year of Writing 7
- 180 · Congratulations! You Completed Writing 7!
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Write an argument that addresses an opposing claim with evidence
- Plan, draft and cite a research report from several sources
- Write stories, including a short story, a mystery and a hero's journey, with conflict and pacing
- Write a literary analysis essay that supports a thesis with quotations
- Build compound, complex and varied sentences and fix misplaced modifiers
- Revise their work using feedback and collect their best pieces in a portfolio
Other 7th Grade subjects: Math 7 · Reading 7 · Science 7 · History 7