Grade 7 Curriculum Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction / 1
Platform Overview / 2
Research / 4
Teaching Key Skills & Concepts / 5
ELA Curriculum Guide / 6
Science, Social Studies, and Math / 15
Supports for Developing Bilinguals / 16
Results / 18
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Introduction
About ThinkCERCA
What is ThinkCERCA?
ThinkCERCA’s personalized literacy platform helps educators teach critical thinking skills through
argumentative writing. Through standards-aligned close reading and academic writing lessons for
English language arts, science, social studies, and math, our schoolwide approach to literacy
instruction prepares students in grades 4-12 for post-secondary life by building up their analytical skills
in every subject.
Practical Approach, Expert Pedagogy
The designers of ThinkCERCA have authored more than 30 publications on cross-curricular critical
literacy.
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1
Platform Overview
The ThinkCERCA Platform
Schoolwide Literacy Instruction
The CERCA Framework gives teams a common literacy language to collaborate more effectively across
content areas and improve student outcomes.
Close Reading
Our platform includes a lesson library of relevant, leveled texts and tasks that build students’ disciplinespecific knowledge while making close reading engaging and fun.
• Standards-aligned, discipline-specific highlighting and summarizing practice
• In-text vocabulary and audio support
• Automated assessments for comprehension
Writing Across Content Areas
Scaffolded lessons walk students through the process of using evidence and details to support their
argumentative, informational, and narrative writings across disciplines. • Interactive Argument Builder; prewriting tools for narrative and informational writing
• Rigorous writing prompts focused on debatable issues and great literary models
• Standards-aligned sentence frames and supports for English language development
Differentiation
We make personalization simple with theme-based text sets that are differentiated for 10 levels of
readiness and built-in tools that keep teachers at the center of instruction.
• Embedded differentiation tools to auto-assign by readiness level
• Leveling pre-assessments for reading and writing
• Real-time data to monitor student progress [email protected] / (708) 79-CERCA
2
Platform Overview
Standards-Aligned Instruction
Our instructional designs were developed based on the research and practice of master teachers and
nationally recognized literacy experts and meet the demands of new career and college readiness
standards.
• Introductions to standards-aligned key skills and concepts
• Standards-aligned formative assessments and rubrics
Assessment Preparation
Research shows that frequent practice of CERCA increases test scores while building critical thinking
skills. ThinkCERCA’s formative and summative assessments allow teachers to infuse practice with
items found in new state assessments, including PARCC, Smarter Balanced, and ACT, as well as the
new SAT and growth assessments such as NWEA.
• Development of analytical and synthesizing skills
• Practice of providing supporting evidence with discipline-specific language instruction
• Creation of constructed responses to text-based questions
Why Argumentation?
ThinkCERCA prepares students for new standards and state assessments by providing a scaffolded
process that supports the development of argumentation skills.
“The Standards put particular emphasis on the students’ ability to write sound
arguments on substantive topics and issues, as the ability is critical to career and
college readiness.” — CCSS Appendix A
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3
Research
Our Research-Based Approach
Summary
ThinkCERCA was built upon an ever-growing body of research as well as years of practice and
continuous learning. The research behind our approach has been drawn from a number of sources.
Here, we highlight an influential University of Chicago study that clearly illustrates the importance of
writing and discussion in improving student achievement. While traditional models have positioned
technology as the teacher, we position technology as a support for great teaching and collaboration
with peers. The relationship with teachers and peers is what helps to create a context for true
personalized learning and motivate students to persist through challenges.
From High School to the Future: ACT Preparation—Too Much, Too Late (2008)
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4
Teaching Key Skills and Concepts
Direct Instruction to Introduce Key Skills and Concepts
Example ThinkCERCA Direct Instruction Lessons
Direct Instruction Lesson: Making Arguments About Theme
In this lesson students will learn how to identify
themes in literature and poetry and how authors
express themes through the choices they make.
Direct Instruction Lesson: Making Arguments About Multiple Perspectives
In this lesson students will learn how to analyze
multiple perspectives on a single topic or event,
including how to evaluate sources for bias and how
to make sense of conflicting information.
Direct Instruction Lesson: Socratic Discussions
In this lesson students learn how to participate in a
Socratic discussion.
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5
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
CERCA SET
School Policy
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
“Uniform or Dress Code: There’s a Difference” — Do dress codes
1
RI.2, W1
create a more positive school environment?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Appeals Court Finds Nevada School’s Uniform Policy
Unconstitutional”
SKILLS FOCUS
Summary
CERCA SET
Video Games
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
“What Video Games Can Teach Us” — Do the potential benefits of
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Live Wires”
SKILLS FOCUS
Developing Effective Paragraphs
CERCA SET
Government Role in Health
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Should Junk Food Be Banned in Schools?” — Would banning junk
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“California Lawmaker Proposes Adding Health Warning Labels to
Sodas”
SKILLS FOCUS
Claims
CERCA SET
Social Media
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
“Why Teens Should Be on Social Media” — Does using social media
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Saving the World, One Bottle at a Time”
SKILLS FOCUS
Evidence
CERCA SET
Sports & Society
2
3
4
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
5
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
video games outweigh the disadvantages?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.8, W1
food in schools teach kids how to make healthy eating choices?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.1, W1
benefit teenagers?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.1, W1
"Two Opinions About the Intensity of Youth Sports” — Are the
benefits of participating in competitive youth sports worth the
drawbacks?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Does This Look ‘Amateur’ to You?
SKILLS FOCUS
Reasoning
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RI.8, W1
6
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
CERCA SET
The Role of Machines
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Watson a Game-Changer for Science" — Should society rely on AI
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Jellyfish Inspire Flying-Robot Design”
SKILLS FOCUS
Counterargument
CERCA SET
Distracted Driving
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Technology Can Distract Drivers” — Could government over-
6
7
RI.2, W1
for medical care and in other important matters?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.1, W1
regulation prevent pro-safety breakthroughs in the future?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Digital Savant: Don't Want a Hands-Free Driving Ticket? Here
Are Some Upgrade Options”
SKILLS FOCUS
Audience
CERCA SET
Personal Identity
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
8
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.2, W1
“Abercrombie & Fitch Refuses to Make Clothes for Large
Women” — Is Abercrombie & Fitch's idea to sell only to thin teenagers
who are "cool and popular" a good business decision, or is it likely to
turn off teen customers?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"The Champion of Chocolate”
SKILLS FOCUS
Organizing Your Argument
CERCA SET
Genetics
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"The Human Phoneme: Getting the Big Picture" — How does the
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"The Human Genome Project”
SKILLS FOCUS
Connections Within a Text
CERCA SET
Family and Influence
9
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
10
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
author develop his argument about phoneme research?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.2, W.1
Multiday Short Fiction: “The Monkey's Paw” — Based on the
experiences of the family portrayed in "The Monkey's Paw," what can
the reader infer about the author's views on the impact of temptation?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Naomi Shihab Nye and the Power of Stories"
SKILLS FOCUS
Theme
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RI.3, W1
7
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
Optional Narrative Writing Prompt >>
CERCA SET
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
The Best Laid Plans
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
Multiday Writing: “The Monkey’s Paw” — Write a personal narrative
about a choice you made that led to an unexpected outcome. INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“A Hero Emerges in Italy’s Ship Drama”
SKILLS FOCUS
Plot
CERCA SET
Group Decision-making
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
11
RL.3, W3
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.5, W1
"Voices of the Few” — Does the author build an effective argument
about the dangers of group decision-making through his examination of
democracy?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Calling the Constitution's Bluff”
SKILLS FOCUS
Connections Within a Text (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Bullying
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"The Real Problem" — Do you agree that bullying can be stopped if
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Hooliganism: The Dark Side of Soccer”
SKILLS FOCUS
Author’s Purpose
CERCA SET
Conflict and Dominance
12
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
13
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.6, W1
students learn more about the causes and effects of bullying?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.3, W1
Multiday Short Fiction: “The Tell-Tale Heart” — How does the
narrator’s insistence that he is sane and wise shape the tone of the
narration and the pacing of the story?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Real-Life Superheroes”
SKILLS FOCUS
Point of View
CERCA SET
Nonverbal Communication
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"In the Eye of the Beholder” — How does the author use the story of
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
Infographic: “Who's Wearing Seat Belts?”
SKILLS FOCUS
Informational and Explanatory Writing
14
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READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.3, W1
his mother's art instruction to make his argument?
8
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
CERCA SET
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
15
Communities
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.4, W1
“Poetry: Ode to a Pair of Socks” — How does Neruda use figurative
language to help us understand his views on art that is also useful?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“From the Land of Fairy Tales”
SKILLS FOCUS
Elements of Language
CERCA SET
21st Century Learning
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Cell Phones at School?” — Do the benefits of allowing cell phones in
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Off to Blab School”
SKILLS FOCUS
Central Ideas
CERCA SET
Image & Impact
16
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
17
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.1, W1
schools outweigh the drawbacks?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.7, W1
"Remember the Maine!" — How did the way the media reported on
the sinking of the Maine, with large illustrations and splash headlines,
affect the way American people perceived the Spanish-American War?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"A Hero Emerges in Italy’s Ship Drama”
SKILLS FOCUS
Text Features
CERCA SET
Risk-Taking
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"The Teenage Brain" — Does teenage brain development influence
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Real-Life Superheroes Fight Injustice with Flair”
SKILLS FOCUS
Central Ideas (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Character and Risk
18
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
19
RI.2, W1
risk-taking behavior?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.9, W1
Multiday Short Fiction: “Alaska Gold Rush and The King of Mazy
May” — How does Jack London's fictional story help readers
understand the opportunities and challenges of the historical Yukon Gold
Rush?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Don't Go to Memphis”
SKILLS FOCUS
Ideas Across Texts
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READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
9
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
Optional Narrative Writing Prompt >>
CERCA SET
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
Overcoming Obstacles
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.3, W3
Multiday Writing: “The King of Mazy May” — Write a personal
narrative to describe a time when you helped someone with something
difficult or went to a lot of trouble on someone else’s behalf.
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Meet Kairuhu”
SKILLS FOCUS
Characters
CERCA SET
Perseverance
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Zhan Haite and the Case for Change" — How did Zhan Haite work
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Harriet Tubman, the Woman Called Moses”
SKILLS FOCUS
Connections Within a Text (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Social Responsibility
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
“Malala Youafzai: A Girl with a Voice” — What makes Malala Youafzai
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Thomas Garrett and the Underground Railroad”
SKILLS FOCUS
Author’s Purpose (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Conflict and Character
20
21
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
22
RI.9, W1
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.6, W1
Multiday Short Memoir: “The Story of a Sioux Warrior” — How
does Rain-in-the-Face’s selection of details and his accompanying
commentary reveal his own values and those of the Sioux nation?
SKILLS FOCUS
Characters (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Civil War Poetry
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.2, W1
Poetry: “Beat! Beat! Drums!” — How does Walt Whitman use
imagery, rhythm, and rhyme in "Beat! Beat! Drums!" to explore the
impact of war?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“A Poem of the People”
SKILLS FOCUS
Theme (spiraled)
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READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
a hero?
"Was He Good or Bad?”
23
RI.3, W1
to change China's policy on where students could attend high school?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
10
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
CERCA SET
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
24
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.4, W1
"Scientists Hint at Why Laughter Feels So Good” — What does
laughing do to our bodies that makes us feel better? Science May Have
an Answer.
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Laugh Yourself Healthy.... and That's No Joke.”
SKILLS FOCUS
Words and Details
CERCA SET
Technology & Impact
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
“Real Relationships Rule—Or Do They?" — Is society benefiting
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Friendship Secrets”
SKILLS FOCUS
Central Ideas (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Technology and Art
25
26
Humor
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
Format
CERCA SET
Endangered Animals
RI.1, W1
sanctuaries truly benefit animals or do they present a different type of
risk?
"Only in Mexico”
SKILLS FOCUS
Words and Details (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Nature Poetry
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.2, W1
Poetry: “the coming of fox” — In this poem, what commentary about
the relationship between humans and animals does Clifton make?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Geo-Medicine”
SKILLS FOCUS
Theme (spiraled)
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READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
"Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals? What You Should
Know Before You Visit a Wildlife Sanctuary." — Do wildlife
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
28
RL.7, W1
the recording, which version does a better job of helping the reader
understand the speaker's experience?
SKILLS FOCUS
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
"Poetry: The Raven” — After reading the poem silently and listening to
“The Children’s Blizzard”
27
RI.2, W1
from the increase in cyber-interactions?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
11
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
CERCA SET
Cultural Perception
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"A Slippery Slope Toward Discrimination" — After September 11,
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Where Were the Women?”
SKILLS FOCUS
Words and Details (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Intellectual Property
29
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
30
RI.4, W1
how did stereotypes change how certain ethnic groups were perceived?
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.1, W1
"A Quarrel: Who Invented Calculus?" — Based on the evidence
provided in this article, does Newton or Leibniz deserve credit for
inventing calculus?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Air Travel Takes Off”
SKILLS FOCUS
Reasoning (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Family History
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.2, W1
“Quinceañeras Often Symbolize Family’s Hard Work, Success" —
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
Does the author present both sides of the debate about whether or not it
is wise for families to provide their children with lavish celebrations of
milestones in their cultures?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"The Past Is Present”
SKILLS FOCUS
Central Ideas (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Cultural Memoirs
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Little Things Are Big” — Were Colon’s feelings of guilt justified?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Green Corn Ceremonies”
SKILLS FOCUS
Theme (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Growing Up
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Little Things Are Big” — Write a personal narrative that describes a
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“The Boy Who Built St. Louis”
SKILLS FOCUS
Writing Narratives
31
32
Optional Narrative Writing Prompt >>
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READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.7, W2
RL.2, W3
single moment in which you made an important decision.
12
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
Entrepreneurship
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Forty Kids and Counting" — How did the events in Doyne's life
33
RI.3, W1
influence her to open the Kopila Valley Children's Home and School?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Troop Cafe Offers Hearty Meals and Restaurant Training for
Veterans”
SKILLS FOCUS
Organizing Your Argument (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Money and Decisions
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
34
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.2, W1
"The Gift of the Magi” — Why does the narrator say that those who
sacrifice their treasured possessions for the ones they love are "the
wisest"? In other words, why is sacrifice a sign of wisdom?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Troop Cafe Offers Hearty Meals, and Restaurant Training for
Veterans”
SKILLS FOCUS
Theme (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Kid Inventors
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
35
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.5, W1
"Cellphone Medical Test Wins NPR's 'Big Ideas' Contest" —
What do the author's introductory paragraphs contribute to the article as
a whole?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
"Craig Kielburger: An Ordinary Boy with an Extraordinary Dream”
SKILLS FOCUS
Structure and Organization
CERCA SET
Sounds in Poetry
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
36
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
CERCA SET
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.5, W1
"Poetry: We Wear the Mask” — How does the poet use sounds to
convey the conflict the speaker explores in the poem?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“A Long, Hard March"
SKILLS FOCUS
Elements of Language (spiraled)
CERCA SET
Student Free Speech
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
"Civil Liberties Groups Think This Tennessee School District's
Tech Policy Is Unconstitutional" — How should schools balance
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“Professor Says Teens’ Social Media Lingo Hurts Writing Skills”
SKILLS FOCUS
Reasoning (spiraled)
37
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READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RI.1, W1
student safety and privacy rights?
13
English Language Arts Curriculum Guide
Example Scope & Sequence: Grade 7
CERCA SET
APPLIED WRITING
PRACTICE
38
Comparing Traditional Tales
READING & WRITING
STANDARDS
RL.9, W1
“The Legend of Johnny Appleseed” and “Johnny Appleseed”—
How do historical accounts shape our understanding of Johnny
Appleseed?
INDEPENDENT
READING PRACTICE
“A Tale of Two Brothers”
SKILLS FOCUS
Ideas Across Texts (spiraled)
Integration of Longer Works with Recommended CERCA Sets
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - connections with Perseverance, Cultural Perception, and Family
History
• The Hunger Games - connections with Role of Machines, Group Decision-making, and Bullying
• Breaker Boys - connections with Image and Impact, Social Responsibility, and Technology and
Impact
• Chew on This - connections with Government Role in Health, School Policy, and Student Free Speech
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14
Literacy Across the Curriculum
Cross-Curricular Literacy Lessons
The above scope and sequence are lessons from our ELA library only. We have lessons in science,
social studies, and math, as well. Below are examples.
Science: NGSS
Contributors to the Next Generation Science Standards,
master teachers, and administrators worked with our
team to develop our approach to differentiated science
literacy content. This debate-centric approach to science
mirrors items on new assessments that ask students to
evaluate peer-to-peer and scientist-to-scientist debates.
Social Studies: C3 Frameworks
We collaborated with key thought leaders, including the
designers of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State
Standards, as we developed our social studies content.
These leveled lessons—aligned to key topics across
geographical locations and time periods—allow teachers
to build discipline-specific background knowledge in a
vertical plan while engaging students who may be ahead
of or behind peers.
Math: Content & Practice
We collaborated with Professor Doug O’Roark, founder
of the Graduate Math and Science Teacher Certification
Program at University of Chicago and current head of
Math Circles Chicago, to design a unique, standardsaligned approach to differentiated math literacy content
that supports the expansion of mathematical knowledge
through its application in writing.
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15
English Language Development Supports
Supporting Developing Bilinguals
ThinkCERCA provides teachers with everything they need to support developing bilinguals in their
academic English fluency. In addition to research-based approaches embedded in the pedagogy of our
software, we provide direct instruction in standards-aligned practices that help developing bilinguals
succeed.
•
•
•
•
Supports for English language development in any classroom setting
Resources for students at a WIDA Level 3 and above
Research-based best practices for developing bilinguals
Online and offline tools and instructional practices, including speaking and listening activities
Full Supports List for Developing Bilinguals
Conventions of
Standard English
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
Personal
Connections
- Applied Reading and
Writing Lessons
ThinkCERCA’s Minilessons help students with conventions of standard
English usage, mechanics and grammar, and parts of speech. They also
provide instruction in discipline-specific, academic vocabulary across
subjects.
Each Applied Lesson provides an opportunity for students to connect
personally with the topics in the text. By encouraging collaboration and
peer-to-peer discussion, in a group, or even whole class, students engage
in meaningful discussions and high-interest topics that expose them to the
language they need to successfully navigate the world.
Tier 2 Vocabulary
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
- Additional Reading
Practice
- Applied Reading and
Writing Lessons
Audio Support
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
- Additional Reading
Practice
- Applied Reading and
Tier 2 vocabulary words with definitions are provided for pre-reading
support. Explicit instruction in academic vocabulary helps students access
content in disciplines.
All ThinkCERCA texts have audio support so students can listen to the text
while reading along. Student have the option of listening multiple times or
even listening to small sections of the text. Real human voices model fluent
and expressive English and allow students to access texts beyond their
independent English reading levels.
Writing Lessons
Non-Print Features
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
- Additional Reading
Practice
- Applied Reading and
ThinkCERCA provides non-print features to support students in connecting
to background knowledge and developing new meaning. The strong visuals
in our Minilessons and the images embedded in our texts, including
infographics, multimedia, and video presentations, support learning for
everyone, including English language learners.
Writing Lessons
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16
English Language Development Supports
Full Supports List for Developing Bilinguals
Sentence Frames
- Applied Reading and
Writing Lessons
Blended Learning &
Small Groups
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
- Additional Reading
Practice
- Applied Reading and
Sentence stems help students crack the code of college- and career-ready
English. By understanding the most common frames and practicing them,
students build confidence in their critical literacy skills.
ThinkCERCA provides a framework for teachers to incorporate into small
group instruction, independent collaboration, and individual personalized
instruction in a blended learning environment. In this dynamic
environment, students are given a variety of opportunities to engage with
language through listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Writing Lessons
Structure &
Language of Genre
- Additional Reading
Practice
- Applied Reading and
ThinkCERCA exposes students to the language of various genres and
disciplines. The consistency of the text structures in the overview, summary,
sentence frames, and counterargument gives students repeated exposure
and familiarity with both structure and language.
Writing Lessons
Oral & Written
Language
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
- Additional Reading
Practice
- Applied Reading and
Writing Lessons
Applied Reading &
Writing Lesson
Supports
- Applied Reading and
ThinkCERCA supports the critical relationship between oral and written
language by requiring students to discuss and negotiate complex issues
with multiple perspectives. Readings about debatable topics open up
opportunities for structured conversations in small groups, with partners
and as a whole class. Discussions require students to use accurate and
relevant text-based information to support claims and to explain their
reasons as well as reasoning. By toggling back and forth from text to
conversation, and finding evidence to support thinking, students increase
and deepen their understanding of the text at hand.
We have additional ELD lesson supports for our premium Applied Writing
Lessons. These supports provide extra scaffolding in order to help ELD
students access the same great content as their non-ELD peers
Writing Lessons
Culture
- Direct Instruction
Lessons
- Applied Reading and
Readings respect and honor the cultures of multiple groups and offer broad
representation of not only various cultures, but also discussions about
global issues.
Writing Lessons
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English
Results Language Development Supports
Proven to Help Student Achieve Two Years of Academic Growth
Third-party efficacy data shows that students gain an average of 1.5 to 2.5 years of reading growth when
ThinkCERCA is implemented with fidelity. More information at www.thinkcerca.com/results.
LEAP Innovations Controlled Study
On average, students using ThinkCERCA gained an extra year's worth of academic growth. This is equivalent to closing the
achievement gap by 264 percent for low-income students, 456 percent for black students, and 749 percent for Latino students.
Read the full study at go.thinkcerca.com/leapstudy
Atlantic Research Partners Third-Party Study
Students in grade levels with significant use of ThinkCERCA outperformed their peers nationally on NWEA growth at different
attainment levels in the 2014-2015 academic school year. Read the full study at go.thinkcerca.com/arpstudy
SRI Education Controlled Study
Gains in student writing scores in the elementary grades were positive across all writing aspects and statistically significant for
five of the six aspects. Read the full study at go.thinkcerca.com/sristudy
[email protected] / (708) 79-CERCA
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