Grade Seven
Seventh graders may be in their first year of junior high school or in their second year of a
sixth- through eighth-grade middle school program; in either case, they are expected to continue
advancing in their skills towards the overarching goals of ELA/literacy and ELD instruction: developing
the readiness for college, careers, and civic life; attaining the capacities of literate individuals;
becoming broadly literate; and acquiring the skills for living and learning in the 21st century. (See
chapter 2 in this ELA/ELD Framework for a discussion of these goals.) Students continue to engage
with ideas, concepts, and knowledge in literature and informational text in what they read in school
and independently. In grade seven, students also continue to engage with the standards for literacy
in history/social studies, science and technical subjects, strengthening development of reading and
writing skills not just in the language arts, but across the content areas. Seventh graders who are
entering school as ELs, or who have been in U.S. schools since the elementary years but are still
designated as ELs, need particular attention, as their English language and literacy abilities (especially
in academic English) need to improve in an accelerated time frame for them to be prepared for the
rigors of high school in two more years.
This grade-level section provides an overview of the key themes of ELA/literacy and ELD
instruction in grade seven. It also offers guidance for ensuring that ELs have access to ELA and
content instruction, including integrated and designated ELD instruction. Snapshots and vignettes
bring several of the concepts to life.Key Themes of ELA/Literacy and ELD Instruction in Grade Seven
In this section, the key themes of ELA/Literacy and ELD instruction are discussed as they apply to
grade seven. These include Meaning Making, Language Development, Effective Expression,
Content Knowledge, and Foundational skills. See figure 6.17. These themes are largely
overlapping and consistent with the call for the integration of reading, writing, speaking and listening,
and language in the CA CCSS for ELA Literacy and the CA ELD Standards. Inextricably linked to every
area of the curriculum, the two sets of standards promote an interdisciplinary approach. Each of
the snapshots for grade seven that follow is presented in connection with a theme; however, many
snapshots illustrate several themes. The two vignettes at the end of the section for grade seven depict
integrated ELA and ELD instruction and designated ELD instruction based on the same topic and/or
readings.
Figure 6.17. Circles of Implementation of ELA/Literacy and ELD Instruction582 | Chapter 6 Grade 7