Seventh Grade ELA

Best for Ages 12-15
50-minute course

Our 7th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum provides a full year of dynamic, Common Core-aligned instruction designed to challenge and inspire middle school learners. Students will build advanced skills in reading comprehension, analytical writing, grammar, vocabulary, and oral communication through a blend of classic literature, nonfiction texts, and structured writing workshops. This course prepares students for academic success with engaging lessons that promote critical thinking and confident expression.

Class Structure

Stone Bridges Academy’s 7th Grade ELA course is designed to help students explore identity, culture, ethics, and creativity through literature and writing. With a strong emphasis on reading comprehension, grammar, essay writing, vocabulary development, and oral presentation skills, this course supports middle schoolers in becoming thoughtful readers and confident writers.suasive writing.

Unit 1: Identity & Expression – Who Am I?

• 📚 Explore personal identity through fiction and narrative writing

• 🧠 Skills: Character analysis, theme, figurative language, sentence structure

Week 1–2:

• Read “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto

• Discuss theme and character traits

• Begin writing personal narratives

Week 3–4:

• Draft and revise personal narratives

• Learn sentence types and grammar foundations

• Final reflections and set up academic writing portfolios

Unit 2: Mystery & Suspense – Uncover the Clues

• 📖 Analyze short stories and suspense elements

• 📝 Write a literary analysis essay

Week 5–6:

• Read “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Monkey’s Paw”

• Identify tone, mood, and plot structure

Week 7–8:

• Draft, revise, and publish a literary analysis essay

Unit 3: Justice & Ethics – What’s Right and Fair?

• 🗣 Persuasive writing and ethical decision-making

• 📚 Explore moral dilemmas through literature

Week 9–10:

• Read “Thank You, Ma'am” by Langston Hughes

• Learn argument structure and persuasive techniques

Week 11–12:

• Draft and publish an argumentative essay

Unit 4: Technology & Society – Living in a Digital World

• 🌐 Examine media and tech’s influence on teens

• 🖊 Informational and expository writing

Week 13–14:

• Read and analyze nonfiction about social media

• Identify bias and author’s purpose

Week 15–16:

• Draft and finalize an informative essay

Unit 5: Legends & Lore – Truth or Tale?

• 🌍 Discover global myths and legends

• ✍️ Write original fantasy stories

Week 17–18:

• Compare cultural myths

• Study symbolism and theme

Week 19–20:

• Write and share original myths

• Complete a compare and contrast literary essay

Unit 6: Voices of Change – Speak Up!

• 🗣 Public speaking and rhetorical writing

• 📢 Inspire change with persuasive speeches

Week 21–22:

• Study historical and modern speeches

• Practice active/passive voice

Week 23–24:

• Write and deliver personal persuasive speeches

Unit 7: World Building – Other Worlds, New Rules

• 🪐 Dive into science fiction and fantasy

• 🧪 Build imaginative settings and conflicts

Week 25–26:

• Read “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury

• Develop characters, setting, and conflict

Week 27–28:

• Write and revise original short stories

• Complete a setting-based literary analysis essay

Unit 8: Real Life, Real Talk – Slice of Life

• 📖 Personal essays and memoir-style writing

• ✍️ Express voice, tone, and reflection

Week 29–30:

• Read “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros

• Begin narrative essays about meaningful events

Week 31–32:

• Final revisions, story sharing, and reflection activities

Unit 9: Review & Showcase – Let’s Publish!

• 📚 Celebrate learning and publish best work

• 💡 Build confidence with final presentations

Week 33–34:

• Choose a writing piece to polish and revise

• Create a “Meet the Author” one-pager

Week 35–36:

• Host an Author Showcase

• Take a final grammar quiz and reflect on growth

📝 Learning Outcomes:
Students will leave this course with a portfolio of published writing, a stronger command of grammar and vocabulary, and the ability to analyze, reflect, and express ideas across a variety of genres and formats.