Standards
New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards - Grade 7
3.1 Reading
F. Vocabulary and Concept Development
2. Clarify word meanings through the use of definition, example, restatement, or contrast.
G. Reading Comprehension
3. Differentiate between fact, opinion, bias, and propaganda in newspapers, periodicals, and electronic texts.
8. Read critically by identifying, analyzing, and applying knowledge of the purpose, structure, and elements of nonfiction and providing support from the text as evidence of understanding.
10. Respond critically to text ideas and the author?s craft by using textual evidence to support interpretations.
3.2 Writing Strategies
A. Writing as a Process
2. Write multi-paragraph compositions that have clear topic development, logical organization, effective use of detail, and variety in sentence structure.
7. Reflect on own writing, noting strengths and setting goals for improvement.
B. Writing as a Product
4. Write a range of essays, including persuasive, speculative (picture prompt), descriptive, personal, or issue-based.
C. Mechanics, Spelling and Handwriting
1. Use Standard English conventions in all writing, such as sentence structure, grammar and usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
5. Use transition words to reinforce a logical progression of ideas.
7. Use a variety of reference materials, such as a dictionary, thesaurus, grammar reference, and/or internet/software resources to edit written work.
D. Writing Forms, Audiences, and Purposes
2. Apply knowledge and strategies for composing pieces in a variety of genres (e.g., narrative, expository, persuasive, poetic, and everyday/workplace or technical writing).
10. State a position clearly in a persuasive essay by stating the issue, giving facts, examples and details to support the position, and citing sources when appropriate.
11. Present evidence when writing persuasive essays, examples, and justification to support arguments.
15. Review scoring criteria or relevant rubrics.