Wisconsin State Standards for Language Arts: Grade 7

WI.A. Reading/Literature: Students in Wisconsin will read and respond to a wide range of writing to build an understanding of written materials, of themselves, and of others.

A.8.1. Use effective reading strategies to achieve their purposes in reading.

8.1.1. Use knowledge of sentence and word structure, word origins, visual images, and context clues to understand unfamiliar words and clarify passages of text.

8.1.2. Use knowledge of the visual features of texts, such as headings and bold face print, and structures of texts, such as chronology and cause-and-effect, as aids to comprehension.

8.1.3. Establish purposeful reading and writing habits by using texts to find information, gain understanding of diverse viewpoints, make decisions, and enjoy the experience of reading.

8.1.4. Select, summarize, paraphrase, analyze, and evaluate, orally and in writing, passages of texts chosen for specific purposes.

A.8.2. Read, interpret, and critically analyze literature.

8.2.1. Identify the defining features and structure of literary texts, such as conflict, representation of character, and point of view.

8.2.2. Analyze the effect of characters, plot, setting, language, topic, style, purpose, and point of view on the overall impact of literature.

8.2.3. Draw on a broad base of knowledge about the genres of literature, such as the structure and conventions of essays, epics, fables, myths, plays, poems, short stories, and novels, when interpreting the meaning of a literary work.

8.2.4. Develop criteria to evaluate literary merit and explain critical opinions about a text, either informally in conversation or formally in a well-organized speech or essay.

A.8.3. Read and discuss literary and nonliterary texts in order to understand human experience.

8.3.1. Provide interpretive responses, orally and in writing, to literary and nonliterary texts representing the diversity of American cultural heritage and cultures of the world.

8.3.2. Identify common historical, social, and cultural themes and issues in literary works and selected passages.

8.3.3. Draw on a broad base of knowledge about the themes, ideas, and insights found in classical literature while reading, interpreting, and reflecting on contemporary texts.

8.3.4. Evaluate the themes and main ideas of a work considering its audience and purpose.

A.8.4. Read to acquire information.

8.4.1. Interpret and use technical resources such as charts, tables, travel schedules, timelines, and manuals.

8.4.2. Compare, contrast, and evaluate the relative accuracy and usefulness of information from different sources.

8.4.3. Identify and explain information, main ideas, and organization found in a variety of informational passages.

8.4.4. Distinguish between the facts found in documents, narratives, charts, maps, tables and other sources and the generalizations and interpretations that are drawn from them.

WI.B. Writing: Students in Wisconsin will write clearly and effectively to share information and knowledge, to influence and persuade, to create and entertain.

B.8.1. Create or produce writing to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

8.1.5. Write creative fiction that includes major and minor characters, a coherent plot, effective imagery, descriptive language, and concrete detail.

8.1.6. Write in a variety of situations (during an exam, in a computer lab) and adapt strategies, such as revision, technology, and the use of reference materials, to the situation.

8.1.7. Use a variety of writing technologies including pen and paper as well as computers.

8.1.8. Write for a variety of readers, including peers, teachers, and other adults, adapting content, style, and structure to audience and situation.

B.8.2. Plan, revise, edit, and publish clear and effective writing.

B.8.3. Understand the function of various forms, structures, and punctuation marks of standard American English and use them appropriately in communications.

8.3.5. Employ the conventions of capitalization.

8.3.6. Spell frequently used words correctly and use effective strategies for spelling unfamiliar words.

WI.C. Oral Language: Students in Wisconsin will listen to understand and will speak clearly and effectively for diverse purposes.

C.8.1. Orally communicate information, opinions, and ideas effectively to different audiences for a variety of purposes.

C.8.2. Listen to and comprehend oral communications.

8.2.5. Evaluate the reliability of information in a communication, using criteria based on prior knowledge of the speaker, the topic, and the context and on analysis of logic, evidence, propaganda devices, and language.

C.8.3. Participate effectively in discussion.

8.3.7. Summarize the main points of a discussion, orally and in writing, specifying areas of agreement and disagreement and paraphrasing contributions.

8.3.8. Display and maintain facial expressions, body language, and other response cues that indicate respect for the speaker and attention to the discussion.

8.3.9. Attend to the content of discussion rather than the speaker.

8.3.10. Participate in discussion without dominating.

8.3.11. Distinguish between supported and unsupported statements.

WI.D. Language: Students in Wisconsin will apply their knowledge of the nature, grammar, and variations of American English.

D.8.1. Develop their vocabulary and ability to use words, phrases, idioms, and various grammatical structures as a means of improving communication.

D.8.2. Recognize and interpret various uses and adaptations of language in social, cultural, regional, and professional situations, and learn to be flexible and responsive in their use of English.

WI.E. Media and Technology: Students in Wisconsin will use media and technology critically and creatively to obtain, organize, prepare and share information; to influence and persuade; and to entertain and be entertained.

E.8.1. Use computers to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate information.

E.8.2. Make informed judgments about media and products.

E.8.3. Create media products appropriate to audience and purpose.

E.8.4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of media production and distribution.

E.8.5. Analyze and edit media work as appropriate to audience and purpose.

8.5.1. Revise media productions by adding, deleting, and adjusting the sequence and arrangement of information, images, or other content as necessary to improve focus, clarity, or effect.

8.5.2. Develop criteria for comprehensive feedback on the quality of media work and use it during production.

WI.F. Research and Inquiry: Students in Wisconsin will locate, use, and communicate information from a variety of print and nonprint materials.

F.8.1. Conduct research and inquiry on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems and use an appropriate form to communicate their findings.