Penn-Delco School District

A.   Students in Grade 7 who meet the reading standards are able to:

• Identify and evaluate appropriate text for a variety of assignments/projects.
• Use word structure and context clues to determine meaning.
• Find basic facts and ideas in text through active reading strategies such as recall, rereading, setting a purpose for reading, generating essential questions and clarifying understanding through discussion.
• Determine the author’s purpose.
• Expand reading vocabulary through the use of appropriate resources.
• Demonstrate understanding by citing evidence, comparing and contrasting.
• Demonstrate fluency and comprehension by reading aloud with accuracy, self-correcting mistakes, using rhythm, flow and pronunciation.
• Find the main idea in a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts.
• Identify point of view and bias.
• Analyze the use of literary elements in fiction, such as characterization, setting, plot, theme, point of view, tone and style.
• Identify poetic forms (ballad, couplet, and sonnet).
• Read and analyze drama.

B.   Students in Grade 7 who meet the writing standards are able to:

• Write short stories, poems and plays.
• Write multi-paragraph informational pieces such as letters, descriptions, reports, instructions, articles and interviews.
• Write persuasive pieces including a clearly stated position, properly cited evidence and a counter argument.
• Write with a sharp focus, well developed content, logical organization and smooth transitions.
• Develop style with attention of sentence length and variety, tone, voice and precise language.
• Revise writing to improve content, organization and vocabulary.
• Edit writing using the conventions of language: correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation and sentence structure.

C.   Students in Grade 7 who meet the speaking and listening standards are able to:

• Listen and ask probing questions.
• Analyze information to determine relevancy and take notes when needed.
• Listen to fiction and non-fiction and relate to prior knowledge, make predictions and summarize.
• Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.
• Contribute to discussions, respond with relevant information and give reasons for opinions.
• Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.

D.   Students in Grade 7 who meet the characteristics and functions of the English language standards are able to:

• Describe the origins and meaning of common foreign words used frequently in the English language.
• Analyze the role and place of standard American English in speech, writing and literature.
• Identify new words that have been added to the English language over time.

E.   Students in Grade 7 who meet the research standard are able to:

• Select and refine a topic for research.
• Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.
• Organize, summarize and present the main findings from the research.