7TH GRADE CURRICULUM MAP FOR ELA
MODULE A
Duration: First Trimester
Themes: Urban Chicago, Geography, Politics, Heart Break, and Loss
Anchor/Extended Texts for the Module:
1. Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost
2. Chicago by Carl Sandburg
3. Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe
4. Biography of Edgar Allen Poe (obtain non-fiction text resourced from the Poe Museum: http://www.poemuseum.org/life.php and from Biography.com:
http://www.biography.com/people/edgar-allan-poe-9443160)
* If there is time, a module will be added to explore the following classic short Stories:
 “Rikki Tikki Tavi” by Kipling;
 “The Cat in the Rain” by Hemingway;
 “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin;
 “Bartleby the Scrivener” by Herman Melville; and
 “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury.
Summative Assessment for the Unit: Students will write a travel brochure about a Chicago neighborhood such as Pilsen, Chinatown, and Bronzeville.
*For enrichment, let the students choose a Chicago neighborhood to research.
Required parts of the travel brochure are:
1. Demographics of the area;
2. History of the area;
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3. Landmarks or points of interest to visit in the area such as art, architecture, and restaurants;
4. Famous Chicago Residents of the area;
5. Any other interesting facts such as if movies were filmed in the area.
6. Visual pictures of each of the four categories mentioned above (numbers 1 – 4) must be included in the brochure (such a map of the location of the researched area).
Supplement Texts – Excerpts are used to enhance the anchor texts.
Fiction excerpts (text and/or video):
Non-fiction excerpts (text and/or video):
1. Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe
1. Biography of Robert Frost - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-andpoets/poets/detail/robert-frost
2. Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe
3. “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/42891
2. Biography of Carl Sandburg - https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/carlsandburg
4. “The Road not Taken” by Robert Frost https://www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/learning/core-poems/detail/44272
5. Collection of Carl Sandburg Poetry https://www.nps.gov/carl/learn/historyculture/sandburg-poetry.htm
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3. Geoffrey Baer – Chicago Tours (video and in person) http://interactive.wttw.com/geoffrey-baer-tours
4. Biography of Edgar Allen Poe - http://www.biography.com/people/edgar-allanpoe-9443160
ELA Concepts That Are a Focus of This Module:
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Stanza
Rhythm
Rhyme
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Alliteration
Turning point of the poem
Allusion
Connation
Denotation
Writing
Cross-Curricular Application
Science:
1. Daily Routine Writing –
Journaling, short responses, blogging, etc.

Make Your Own Blood - http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fake-Blood
2. Retell the story of the Tell-Tale Heart from the victim’s perceptive. (Narrative)

Life Cycle of a Tree
3. Do you agree or disagree if Poe was talking about his wife in the poem, Annabel
Lee? (Argumentative)
Social Studies:
The geography and history of Chicago
4. Create a biography scrapbook for Edgar Allen Poe, Carl Sandburg, or Robert
Frost. (expository)
5. Of the three poems you read, which one should be considered the greatest
American poem of all time and why? (persuasive)
To help with research, possible field trips:
 Chicago Historical Society (use of library)
 DuSable Museum
 Chicago architecture boat tour
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STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THE MODULE
ELA Common Core State Standards
Literature:
RL 7.1 – 7.7, 7.9, 7.10
Informational Text:
RI 7.1 – 7.10
Writing:
W 7.1 – 7.10
Speaking & Listening:
SL 7.1 – 7.6
Language:
L 7.1 – 7.6
Illinois State Standards for Social Studies
Inquiry Skills
Developing
Questions and
Planning
Inquiries:
SS.IS.1.6-8
SS.IS.2.6-8
SS.IS.3.6-8
Evaluating Sources
and Using Evidence:
SS.IS.4.6-8.LC; MdC;
MC
SS.IS.5.6-8. LC; MdC;
MC
Content Standards
Communicating
Conclusions and
Taking Informed
Action:
SS.IS.6.6-8. LC;
MdC; MC
SS.IS.7.6-8
SS.IS.8.6-8. LC;
MdC; MC
Civics Standards:
Geography Standards:
SS.CV.1.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.CV.2.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.CV.3.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.CV.4.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS CV.5.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.CV.6.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.G.1.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.G.2.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.G.3.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.G.4.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
Economics and
Financial Literacy
Standards:
SS.EC.3.6-8. MC
SS.EC.FL.1.6-8. LC
History Standards:
SS.H.1.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.H.2.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.H.3.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
SS.H.4.6-8. LC; MdC; MC
Illinois Learning Standards for Science (NGSS)
Middle School Life Science: MS-LS1-1; MS-LS1-3
Science & Engineering Practices:
 Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
 Engaging in Argument from Evidence
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Core Disciplinary Ideas:
LS1.A: Structure and Function of Living Organisms
Cross-Cutting Concepts:
 Scale, Proportion & Quantity
 Systems & System Models
7TH GRADE CURRICULUM MAP FOR ELA
MODULE B
Duration: Second Trimester
Themes: Loyalty, Friendship & Perseverance
Anchor/Extended Texts for the Module:
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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
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Say Goodbye to the Elephants by Adee Braun
Summative Assessment for the Unit: Students will write an argumentative essay on the issue of “Should wild animals be used for entertainment purpose?” The
argumentative essay will also be debated in class as a way to practice speaking, listening, and language skills..
Supplement Texts – Excerpts are used to enhance the anchor texts.
Fiction excerpts (text and/or video):
1. King Kong – Movie
2. Planet of the Apes - Movie
3. One Gorilla by Anthony Browne
4. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
5. Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein
6. My Friend Gorilla by Atsuko Morzukei
7. Gorilla’s Story by Harriet Blackford
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Non-fiction excerpts (text and/or video):
1. Elephants in the Woodlawn Cemetery
2. History of Elephants in the circus
3. History of Ivan the Gorilla
4. Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
by Katherine Applegate and Mr. G. Brian Karas
5. Gorillas by Seymour Simon
6. Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey
7. Face to Face With Gorillas (Face to Face with Animals) by
Michael Nichols and Elizabeth Carney
8. National Geographic Kids about Gorillas:
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mountaingorilla/#mountain-gorilla-closeup-eating.jpg
9. Resources about gorillas:
a. http://www.examiner.com/article/about-gorillas-lessonplans-photos-worksheets-and-printables
b. http://homeschoolspace.blogspot.com/2013/01/gorillaslesson-plans-printables-and.html#.Vcy3VpeUIhQ
ELA Concepts That Are a Focus of This Module:
 Plot
 Setting
 Point of View
 Narrator
 Characterization
 Tone
 Symbolism
 Metaphor/Simile
 Theme
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Writing
Cross-Curricular Application
Science:
1. Daily Routine Writing – Journaling, short responses, blogging, etc.
2. Hollywood has portrayed gorillas in a negative light. They are used as characters who hurt humans.
After reading The One and Only Ivan, how is Ivan different than the Hollywood view of gorillas?
(persuasive)
3. The One and Only Ivan is based on the real-life saga of Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla. Do you agree
or disagree with the position of the B & I shop owners to purchase gorillas to increase their store’s
business? (persuasive)
4. Should gorillas be kept captive in zoos or should they live free in the wild? (persuasive)
After reading the article, do you think gorillas should be eaten as food? Why or why not?
(argumentative)
7. Pretend you are the real Ivan in the B & I shopping mall. Write a letter to a spectator coming to see
you in the shopping mall about what a day in your life is like. (narrative)
Zoology
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Animal Behavior
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Conversation
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Ecosystems & Environments
Social Studies:
5. Read Gorilla in Crisis:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson277/gorillas.pdf
6. The Ringling Bros. Circus has stopped using elephants in their circus acts. Write a letter to the local
newspaper explaining why the Ringling Bros. made such as decision. (expository)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/03/05/ringling-brothers-elephants/24423553/
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Zoos
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Circuses
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Ethical and historical treatment of gorillas and
elephants throughout history
*Contact the educator dept. at the Brookfield Zoo for a
personalized guided tour of the Great Ape House.
STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THE MODULE
ELA Common Core State Standards
Literature:
RL 7.1 – 7.7, 7.9, 7.10
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Informational Text:
RI 7.1 – 7.10
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Writing:
W 7.1 – 7.10
Speaking & Listening:
SL 7.1 – 7.6
Language:
L 7.1 – 7.6
Illinois State Standards for Social Studies
Inquiry Skills
Developing Questions and
Planning Inquiries:
SS.IS.1.6-8
SS.IS.2.6-8
SS.IS.3.6-8
Evaluating
Sources and
Using Evidence:
SS.IS.4.6-8.MC
SS.IS.5.6-8.MC
Content Standards
Communicating
Conclusions and
Taking Informed
Action:
Civics Standards:
Geography Standards:
SS.CV.1.6-8.MC
SS.CV.3.6-8.MC
SS.CV.6.6-8.MdC
SS.G.1.6-8.MC
SS.G.2.6-8.MC
SS.G.3.6-8.MC
SS.G.4.6-8.LC
SS.IS.6.6-8.MC
SS.IS.7.6-8
SS.IS.8.6-8.MC
Economics and
Financial Literacy
Standards:
SS.EC.1.6-8.LC
History Standards:
SS.H.1.6-8.MC
SS.H.2.6-8.MC
SS.H.3.6-8.MC
SS.H.4.6-8.MC
Illinois Learning Standards for Science (NGSS)
Middle School Life Science: MS-LS1-5, MS-LS1-8, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, & MS-LS2-4
Science & Engineering Practices:
 Constructing Explanations and Designing
Solutions
 Engaging in Argument from Evidence
 Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating
Information
 Analyzing and Interpreting Data
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Core Disciplinary Ideas:
LS1.B:
LS1.D:
LS2.A:
LS2.C:
Growth and Development of Organisms
Information Progressing
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
Cross-Cutting Concepts:
 Stability and Change
 Patterns
 Cause and Effect
7TH GRADE CURRICULUM MAP FOR ELA
MODULE C
Duration: Third Trimester
Themes:
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Family ties
Culture
Tradition
Loyalty
Overcoming Obstacles
Courage
Discrimination
Inner strength
Moral conflict
Racism
Slavery
Anchor/Extended Texts for the Module: Glory Field by Walter D. Myers
Summative Assessment for the Unit: Civil Rights Project (focus on Emmett Till)
Students will research the life and contributions of a Civil Rights Leader such as:
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Medgar Evers
Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King
Thurgood Marshall
Malcolm X
Ralph Abernathy
Little Rock Nine
Louis Farrakhan
Father Flager at St. Sabina Church
Ida B. Wells
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Mary McLeod Bethune
Dorothy Height
Jesse Jackson
Harriet Tubman
Sojourner Truth
*Focus on historical and current event connections between Emmett Till & recent racial issues in the news such as what happened to Trayvon Martin.
Students will summarize the finding of their research in a biography scrapbook. Pictures of the civil rights leaders, places, and events will be required as a part of the
project. (expository)
Supplement Texts – Excerpts are used to enhance the anchor texts.
Fiction excerpts (text and/or video):
1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
2. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
3. Manic McGee by Jerry Spinelli
Non-fiction excerpts (text and/or video):
1. American Black History by Milliken Publishing Company
2. A Celebration of Black History through Music by Lorenz Corporation
3. A Letter from the Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King
4. The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis
4. Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965 by Juan Williams and Julian Bon
5. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
5. The Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Reader: Documents, Speeches, and Firsthand Accounts from
the Black Freedom... by Clayborne Carson and David J. Garrow
6. To Be a Slave by Julius Lester
7. The Washed Window by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
6. Free At Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle by
Sara Bullard and Julian Bond
8. Satchel Paige by Bill Littlefield
*Mention the hidden history of women’s rights being fought along aside civil rights.
9. The Roots by Hugo Salazar Tamariz
10. Roots – movie
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11. Goodbye, Grandma by Ray Bradbury
12. A Kinsman by Jim Wayne Mille
13. Home by Gwendolyn Brooks
14. Who Can Be Born Black by Mari Evans
15. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
ELA Concepts That Are a Focus of This Module:
 Plot
 Setting
 Point of View
 Narrator
 Characterization
 Tone
 Symbolism
 Metaphor/Simile
 Theme
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Writing
1. Daily Routine Writing – Journaling, short responses, blogging, etc.
Cross-Curricular Application
Science:
2. Reparations for slavery is a controversial topic in U.S. politics. Reparations is the idea that
the U.S. government pay current African-Americans for the evils of slavery. What is your
position on reparations? Should the U.S. government pay for reparations? (argumentative)

Agriculture

Effects of Drugs on the Human Body
3. The Glory Field is at the heart of Lewis family. Land is at the heart of many families. Write
about a place where your family all comes together to celebrate being a family. (narrative)

Heat
Social Studies:
4. Before 1954, students were segregated from going to school together based on color. In
1954 and 1955, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools are illegal. However, the
reality is that in many parts of Chicago, schools are mainly of one color. In 2015, why is this still
occurring?
(expository)
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
1753 – Slave trading
1864 – Planation Slavery
1900 – Jim Crow Area
1930 – Chicago – Great Southern Migration
1964 – Civil Rights Movement
1994 – NY Harlem
School Integration
Underground Railroad
African American roots in music – hip hop, rap, blues, jazz, etc.
Resources:
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
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/glory-field-lessonplans.html

http://betterlesson.com/community/lesson/67198/the-gloryfield-unit-overview-and-assessments

http://dickersonk.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-plan-threeglory-field-by-walter_06.html

http://my-ecoach.com/project.php?id=14874
STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THE MODULE
ELA Common Core State Standards
Literature:
RL 7.1 – 7.7, 7.9, 7.10
Informational Text:
RI 7.1 – 7.10
Writing:
W 7.1 – 7.10
Speaking & Listening:
SL 7.1 – 7.6
Language:
L 7.1 – 7.6
Illinois State Standards for Social Studies
Inquiry Skills
Developing Questions and
Planning Inquiries:
SS.IS.1.6-8
SS.IS.2.6-8
SS.IS.3.6-8
Content Standards
Evaluating
Sources and
Using
Evidence:
Communicating
Conclusions and
Taking Informed
Action:
SS.IS.4.6-8.MC
SS.IS.5.6-8.MC
SS.IS.6.6-8.MC
SS.IS.7.6-8
SS.IS.8.6-8.MC
Civics Standards:
Geography Standards:
SS.CV.1.6-8.MC
SS.CV.3.6-8.MC
SS.CV.6.6-8.MdC
SS.G.1.6-8.MC
SS.G.2.6-8.MC
SS.G.3.6-8.MC
SS.G.4.6-8.LC
Economics and
Financial Literacy
Standards:
SS.EC.1.6-8.LC
History Standards:
SS.H.1.6-8.MC
SS.H.2.6-8.MC
SS.H.3.6-8.MC
SS.H.4.6-8.MC
Illinois Learning Standards for Science (NGSS)
Middle School Life Science: MS-LS1-5, MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-8, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4 & MS-LS2-5
Middle School Physical Science: MS-PS4-1 & MS-PS4-2
Middle School Earth & Space Science: MS-ESS3-3
Science & Engineering Practices:
 Constructing Explanations and Designing
Solutions
 Engaging in Argument from Evidence
 Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating
Information
 Analyzing and Interpreting Data
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Core Disciplinary Ideas:
LS1.B:
LS1.D:
LS2.A:
LS2.C:
Growth and Development of Organisms
Information Progressing
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
Cross-Cutting Concepts:
 Stability and Change
 Patterns
 Cause and Effect
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