Minnesota State Standards for Language Arts: Grade 7

MN.I.A. Reading and Literature: Word Recognition, Analysis, and Fluency: The student will read with accuracy and fluency.

I.A.1. Read unfamiliar complex and multi-syllabic words using cueing systems, advanced phonetic analysis and structural analysis.

I.A.2. Read narrative and expository text with fluency, accuracy and comprehension at an appropriate silent reading rate.

I.A.3. Apply correct word pronunciation and inflection.

MN.I.B. Reading and Literature: Vocabulary Expansion: The student will use a variety of strategies to expand reading, listening and speaking vocabularies.

I.B.1. Acquire, understand and use new vocabulary through explicit vocabulary instruction and independent reading.

I.B.2. Analyze word structure and use context clues to understand new words.

I.B.3. Recognize and interpret words with multiple meanings.

I.B.4. Recognize the influences of other languages on the English language.

I.B.5. Apply knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes to understand content area vocabulary and assist pronunciation.

I.B.6. Identify and explain analogies, similes and metaphors.

I.B.7. Determine pronunciation, meanings and alternate word choices through the use of dictionaries, thesauruses and electronic tools.

MN.I.C. Reading and Literature: Comprehension: The student will understand the meaning of texts, using a variety of strategies, and will demonstrate literal, interpretive, inferential and evaluative comprehension.

I.C.1. Comprehend, interpret and evaluate text by asking and answering questions.

I.C.2. Recall and use prior learning and preview text to prepare for reading.

I.C.3. Use knowledge of narrative and expository text structures and subject specific texts to summarize content.

I.C.4. Make inferences and draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information from texts.

I.C.5. Create outlines, logical notes and summaries across content areas.

I.C.6. Use texts' structural organizers, such as graphics, illustrations, references, notes, introductions, boldface type and subheadings to aid comprehension.

I.C.7. Distinguish statements of fact from opinion and give examples from text.

I.C.8. Critically read and evaluate to determine the author's purpose, point of view, audience and message.

I.C.9. Follow written directions in technical reading.

I.C.10. Scan a passage to determine relevant information and skim the text to locate specific information.

I.C.11. Identify devices used in persuasive text.

MN.I.D. Reading and Literature: Literature: The student will actively engage in the reading process and read, understand, respond to, analyze, interpret, evaluate and appreciate a wide variety of fiction, poetic and nonfiction texts.

I.D.1. Read a variety of high-quality, traditional, classical, and contemporary literary works specific to America, as well as significant works from other countries.

I.D.2. Identify and analyze various genres and subgenres as forms with distinct characteristics and purposes.

I.D.3. Identify and analyze the relationships among elements of fiction including setting, character, plot, conflict/resolution, theme, and tone.

I.D.4. Identify and analyze the effect of characters' traits on the plot and resolution of the conflict.

I.D.5. Analyze how figurative language and literary devices contribute to the meaning of a text.

I.D.6. Identify and discuss the effect of the speaker and recognize the difference between first and third person point of view.

I.D.7. Relate a given literary work to historical events (place, time and custom).

I.D.8. Explain how form and stylistic devices convey the meaning of a poem.

I.D.9. Identify and understand recurring themes across literary works, citing evidence from the texts.

I.D.10. Respond to literature using ideas and details from the text to support reactions and make literary connections.

I.D.11. Read from and respond to a variety of fiction, poetic and nonfiction texts of increasing complexity for personal enjoyment.

MN.II.A. Writing: Types of Writing: The student will create informative, expressive and persuasive writing.

II.A.1. Write frequently in a variety of forms, including but not limited to the following: poetry, stories, essays, editorials, letters, directions and research reports. By the end of grade 8, the student will have written in all of the forms listed.

MN.II.B. Writing: Elements of Composition: The student will engage in a writing process, with attention to context, organization, focus, quality of ideas and a purpose.

II.B.1. Create multiple paragraph compositions that state, maintain and use details in a logical order to support a main idea.

II.B.2. Create narratives that develop settings, people/characters, dialogue, and conflicts using descriptive, concrete language to engage audiences.

II.B.3. Create informative reports, including gathering material, formulating ideas based on gathered material, organizing information, and editing for logical progression.

II.B.4. Employ composing processes to develop writing, including: prewriting - planning strategies such as brainstorming, journaling, sketching, listing, outlining and determining audience, purpose and focus; drafting - organizing, supporting and putting ideas into sentences and paragraphs; revising - improving the quality of content, organization, sentence structure and word choice; editing - correcting errors in spelling and grammar, publishing - producing a document and sharing the writing with the audience.

II.B.5. Consider the intended audience when composing text.

MN.II.C. Writing: Spelling, Grammar, and Usage: The student will apply standard English conventions when writing. (Use of standard English conventions is necessary to help a writer convey meaning to the reader. Spelling, grammar, and usage may be taught as a separate unit as well as integrated into teaching writing processes.)

II.C.1. Compose complete sentences when writing.

II.C.2. Edit writing for correct spelling and sentence clarity.

II.C.3. Apply grammar conventions correctly in writing, including: consistent verb tense; subject and verb agreement with simple and compound subjects; nominative, reflexive, objective, and possessive pronouns, pronoun/antecedent agreement; subject and verb agreement when interrupted by a phrase.

II.C.4. Apply punctuation conventions correctly in writing, including: apostrophes; semi-colon; capitalization of proper nouns; abbreviations; sentence beginnings and first words in quotes; commas (in compound sentences, and after subordinating conjunctions, noun of address, and non-essential clauses); quotation marks (to identify dialogue).

MN.II.D. Writing: Research: The student will locate and use information in reference materials.

II.D.1. Formulate questions and collect and assess relevant information to address these questions.

II.D.2. Cite sources for quoted and paraphrased information in a bibliography when writing a research report.

II.D.3. Gather and organize information from a variety of sources, including electronic and print.

II.D.4. Define plagiarism, its consequences and avoid its use.

MN.II.E. Writing: Handwriting and Word Processing: The student will write legibly and demonstrate effective keyboarding skills.

II.E.1. Write legibly using cursive.

II.E.2. Format word-processed documents to present information in an organized, readable format, integrating graphics, illustrations and bulleting as needed.

MN.III.A. Speaking, Listening and Viewing: Speaking and Listening: Students will demonstrate understanding and communicate effectively through listening and speaking.

III.A.1. Participate in and follow agreed-upon rules for conversation and formal discussions in large and small groups.

III.A.2. Know and apply listening rules for formal settings.

III.A.3. Apply assessment criteria to self-evaluate oral presentations.

III.A.4. Distinguish between speaker's opinion and verifiable facts and analyze the credibility of the presentation.

III.A.5. Follow a speaker's presentation and represent it in notes.

III.A.6. Orally communicate information, opinions, and ideas effectively to different audiences for a variety of purposes.

III.A.7. Adjust delivery and language in oral presentations for the intended audiences and purposes.

III.A.8. Perform expressive oral readings of prose, poetry or drama.

MN.III.C. Speaking, Listening and Viewing: Media Literacy: The student will critically analyze information found in electronic and print media, and will use a variety of these sources to learn about a topic and represent ideas.

III.C.1. Identify distinctions in how information is presented in print and non-print materials.

III.C.2. Evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information found on Internet sites.

III.C.3. Make informed evaluations about television, radio, film productions, newspapers and magazines with regard to quality of production, accuracy of information, bias, purpose, message and audience.

III.C.4. Critically analyze the messages and points of view employed in different media, including advertising, news programs, web sites, and documentaries.