1. (a) Introduction.

   1. (1) In Grade 7, students refine and master previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions. Seventh grade students analyze a speaker's persuasive techniques and credibility. Students evaluate a spoken message in terms of its content, credibility, and delivery. Seventh grade students continue to read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts. Students use knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and prefixes and suffixes in reading. Students recognize how style, tone, and mood contribute to the effect of the text. Seventh grade students are able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, or entertain. Students vary sentence structure and use verb tenses appropriately and consistently such as present, past, future, perfect, and progressive. Seventh grade students edit their writing based on their knowledge of grammar and usage, spelling, punctuation, and other conventions of written language. Students produce final, error-free pieces of written composition on a regular basis. Seventh grade students draw data from multiple primary and secondary sources for use in research reports and projects.
   2. (2) For seventh grade students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition.
   3. (3) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Grade 7 are described in subsection (b) of this section. Following each statement of a student expectation is a parenthetical notation that indicates the additional grades at which these expectations are demonstrated at increasingly sophisticated levels.
   4. (4) To meet Public Education Goal 1 of the Texas Education Code, §4.002, which states, "The students in the public education system will demonstrate exemplary performance in the reading and writing of the English language," students will accomplish the essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations at Grade 7 as described in subsection (b) of this section.
   5. (5) To meet Texas Education Code, §28.002(h), which states, "each school district shall foster the continuation of the tradition of teaching United States and Texas history and the free enterprise system in regular subject matter and in reading courses and in the adoption of textbooks," students will be provided oral and written narratives as well as other informational texts that can help them to become thoughtful, active citizens who appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation.

2. (b) Knowledge and skills.

   1. (1) Listening/speaking/purposes. The student listens actively and purposefully in a variety of settings. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) determine the purposes for listening such as to gain information, to solve problems, or to enjoy and appreciate (4-8);
      2. (B) eliminate barriers to effective listening (4-8);
      3. (C) understand the major ideas and supporting evidence in spoken messages (4-8); and
      4. (D) listen to learn by taking notes, organizing, and summarizing spoken ideas (6-8).

   2. (2) Listening/speaking/critical listening. The student listens critically to analyze and evaluate a speaker's message(s). The student is expected to:

      1. (A) interpret speakers' messages (both verbal and nonverbal), purposes, and perspectives (4-8);
      2. (B) analyze a speaker's persuasive techniques and credibility (7-8);
      3. (C) distinguish between the speaker's opinion and verifiable fact (4-8);
      4. (D) monitor his/her own understanding of the spoken message and seek clarification as needed (4-8);
      5. (E) compare his/her own perception of a spoken message with the perception of others (6-8); and
      6. (F) evaluate a spoken message in terms of its content, credibility, and delivery (6-8).

   3. (3) Listening/speaking/appreciation. The student listens to enjoy and appreciate spoken language. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) listen to proficient, fluent models of oral reading, including selections from classic and contemporary works (4-8);
      2. (B) analyze oral interpretations of literature for effects on the listener (6-8); and
      3. (C) analyze the use of aesthetic language for its effects (6-8).

   4. (4) Listening/speaking/culture. The student listens and speaks to gain and share knowledge of his/her own culture, the culture of others, and the common elements of culture. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) connect his/her own experiences, information, insights, and ideas with the experiences of others through speaking and listening (4-8);
      2. (B) compare oral traditions across regions and cultures (4-8); and
      3. (C) identify how language use such as labels and sayings reflects regions and cultures (4-8).

   5. (5) Listening/speaking/audiences. The student speaks clearly and appropriately to different audiences for different purposes and occasions. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) adapt spoken language such as word choice, diction, and usage to the audience, purpose, and occasion (4-8);
      2. (B) demonstrate effective communications skills that reflect such demands as interviewing, reporting, requesting, and providing information (4-8);
      3. (C) present dramatic interpretations of experiences, stories, poems, or plays to communicate (4-8);
      4. (D) generate criteria to evaluate his/her own oral presentations and the presentations of others (6-8);
      5. (E) use effective rate, volume, pitch, and tone for the audience and setting (4-8); and
      6. (F) clarify and support spoken ideas with evidence, elaborations, and examples (4-8).

   6. (6) Reading/word identification. The student uses a variety of word recognition strategies. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) apply knowledge of letter-sound correspondences, language structure, and context to recognize words (4-8);
      2. (B) use structural analysis to identify words, including knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and prefixes/suffixes (7-8); and
      3. (C) locate the meanings, pronunciations, and derivations of unfamiliar words using dictionaries, glossaries, and other sources (4-8).

   7. (7) Reading/fluency. The student reads with fluency and understanding in texts at appropriate difficulty levels. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) read regularly in independent-level materials (texts in which no more than approximately 1 in 20 words is difficult for the reader) (7);
      2. (B) read regularly in instructional-level materials that are challenging but manageable (texts in which no more than approximately 1 in 10 words is difficult for the reader) (7);
      3. (C) adjust reading rate based on purposes for reading (4-8);
      4. (D) read aloud in selected texts in ways that both reflect understanding of the text and engage the listeners (4-8); and
      5. (E) read silently with increasing ease for longer periods (4-8).

   8. (8) Reading/variety of texts. The student reads widely for different purposes in varied sources. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) read classic and contemporary works (2-8);
      2. (B) select varied sources such as plays, anthologies, novels, textbooks, poetry, newspapers, manuals, and electronic texts when reading for information or pleasure (6-8);
      3. (C) read for varied purposes such as to be informed, to be entertained, to appreciate the writer's craft, and to discover models for his/her own writing (4-8); and
      4. (D) read to take action such as to complete forms, make informed recommendations, and write a response (6-8).

   9. (9) Reading/vocabulary development. The student acquires an extensive vocabulary through reading and systematic word study. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) develop vocabulary by listening to selections read aloud (4-8);
      2. (B) draw on experiences to bring meanings to words in context such as interpreting figurative language idioms, multiple-meaning words, and analogies (6-8);
      3. (C) use multiple reference aids, including a thesaurus, a synonym finder, a dictionary, and software, to clarify meaning and usage (4-8);
      4. (D) determine meanings of derivatives by applying knowledge of the meanings of root words such as like, pay, or happy and affixes such as dis-, pre-, or un- (4-8);
      5. (E) study word meanings systematically such as across curricular content areas and through current events (4-8);
      6. (F) distinguish denotative and connotative meanings (6-8); and
      7. (G) use word origins as an aid to understanding historical influences on English word meanings (6-8).

   10. (10) Reading/comprehension. The student uses a variety of strategies to comprehend a wide range of texts of increasing levels of difficulty. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) use his/her own knowledge and experience to comprehend (4-8);
       2. (B) establish and adjust purposes for reading such as reading to find out, to understand, to interpret, to enjoy, and to solve problems (4-8);
       3. (C) monitor his/her own comprehension and make modifications when understanding breaks down such as by rereading a portion aloud, using reference aids, searching for clues, and asking questions (4-8);
       4. (D) describe mental images that text descriptions evoke (4-8);
       5. (E) use the text's structure or progression of ideas such as cause and effect or chronology to locate and recall information (4-8);
       6. (F) determine a text's main (or major) ideas and how those ideas are supported with details (4-8);
       7. (G) paraphrase and summarize text to recall, inform, or organize ideas (4-8);
       8. (H) draw inferences such as conclusions or generalizations and support them with text evidence and experience (4-8);
       9. (I) find similarities and differences across texts such as in treatment, scope, or organization (4-8);
       10. (J) distinguish fact and opinion in various texts (4-8);
       11. (K) answer different types and levels of questions such as open-ended, literal, and interpretive as well as test-like questions such as multiple choice, true-false, and short answer (4-8);
       12. (L) represent text information in different ways such as in outline, timeline, or graphic organizer (4-8); and
       13. (M) use study strategies to learn and recall important ideas from texts such as preview, question, reread, and record (6-8).

   11. (11) Reading/literary response. The student expresses and supports responses to various types of texts. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) offer observations, make connections, react, speculate, interpret, and raise questions in response to texts (4-8);
       2. (B) interpret text ideas through such varied means journal writing, discussion, enactment, and media (4-8);
       3. (C) support responses by referring to relevant aspects of text and his/her own experiences (4-8); and
       4. (D) connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues across text (4-8).

   12. (12) Reading/text structures/literary concepts. The student analyzes the characteristics of various types of texts (genres). The student is expected to:

       1. (A) identify the purposes of different types of texts such as to inform, influence, express, or entertain (4-8);
       2. (B) recognize the distinguishing features of genres, including biography, historical fiction, informational texts, and poetry (4-8);
       3. (C) compare communication in different forms such as contrasting a dramatic performance with a print version of the same story or comparing story variants (2-8);
       4. (D) understand and identify literary terms such as playwright, theater, stage, act, dialogue, analogy, and scene across a variety of literary forms (texts) (6-7);
       5. (E) understand literary forms by recognizing and distinguishing among such types of text as stories, poems, myths, fables, tall tales, limericks, plays, biographies, and autobiographies (3-7);
       6. (F) analyze characters, including their traits, motivations, conflicts, points of view, relationships, and changes they undergo (4-8);
       7. (G) recognize and analyze story plot, setting, and problem resolution (4-8);
       8. (H) describe how the author's perspective or point of view affects the text (4-8);
       9. (I) analyze ways authors organize and present ideas such as through cause/effect, compare/contrast, inductively, deductively, or chronologically (6-8);
       10. (J) recognize and interpret literary devices such as flashback, foreshadowing, and symbolism (6-8); and
       11. (K) recognize how style, tone, and mood contribute to the effect of the text (6-8).

   13. (13) Reading/inquiry/research. The student inquires and conducts research using a variety of sources. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) form and revise questions for investigations, including questions arising from readings, assignments, and units of study (6-8);
       2. (B) use text organizers, including headings, graphic features, and tables of contents, to locate and organize information (4-8);
       3. (C) use multiple sources, including electronic texts, experts, and print resources, to locate information relevant to research questions (4-8);
       4. (D) interpret and use graphic sources of information such as maps, graphs, timelines or tables to address research questions (4-8);
       5. (E) summarize and organize information from multiple sources by taking notes, outlining ideas, and making charts (4-8);
       6. (F) produce research projects and reports in effective formats for various audiences (6-8);
       7. (G) draw conclusions from information gathered from multiple sources (4-8);
       8. (H) use compiled information and knowledge to raise additional, unanswered questions (3-8); and
       9. (I) present organized statements, reports, and speeches using visuals or media to support meaning (6-8).

   14. (14) Reading/culture. The student reads to increase knowledge of his/her own culture, the culture of others, and the common elements of cultures. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) compare text events with his/her own and other readers' experiences (4-8);
       2. (B) determine distinctive and common characteristics of cultures through wide reading (4-8); and
       3. (C) articulate and discuss themes and connections that cross cultures (4-8).

   15. (15) Writing/purposes. The student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and in a variety of forms. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) write to express, discover, record, develop, reflect on ideas, and to problem solve (4-8);
       2. (B) write to influence such as to persuade, argue, and request (4-8);
       3. (C) write to inform such as to explain, describe, report, and narrate (4-8);
       4. (D) write to entertain such as to compose humorous poems or short stories (4-8);
       5. (E) select and use voice and style appropriate to audience and purpose (6-8);
       6. (F) choose the appropriate form for his/her own purpose for writing such as journals, letters, editorials, reviews, poems, memoirs, narratives, and instructions (7-8);
       7. (G) use literary devices effectively such as suspense, dialogue, and figurative language (5-8); and
       8. (H) produce cohesive and coherent written texts by organizing ideas, using effective transitions, and choosing precise wording (6-8).

   16. (16) Writing/penmanship/capitalization/punctuation/spelling. The student composes original texts, applying the conventions of written language such as capitalization, punctuation, handwriting, penmanship and spelling to communicate clearly. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) write legibly by selecting cursive or manuscript as appropriate (4-8);
       2. (B) capitalize and punctuate correctly to clarify and enhance meaning such as capitalizing titles, using hyphens, semicolons, colons, possessives, and sentence punctuation (6-8);
       3. (C) spell derivatives correctly by applying the spellings of bases and affixes (7-8);
       4. (D) spell frequently misspelled words correctly such as their, they're, and there (7-8);
       5. (E) use resources to find correct spellings (4-8);
       6. (F) spell accurately in final drafts (4-8); and
       7. (G) understand the influence of other languages and cultures on the spelling of English words (6-8).

   17. (17) Writing/grammar/usage. The student applies standard grammar and usage to communicate clearly and effectively in writing. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) write in complete sentences, varying the types such as compound and complex sentences, and use appropriately punctuated independent and dependent clauses (7-8);
       2. (B) use conjunctions to connect ideas meaningfully (4-8);
       3. (C) employ standard English usage in writing for audiences, including subject-verb agreement, pronoun referents, and parts of speech (4-8);
       4. (D) use adjectives (comparatives and superlatives forms) and adverbs appropriately to make writing vivid or precise (4-8);
       5. (E) use prepositional phrases to elaborate written ideas (4-8);
       6. (F) use verb tenses appropriately and consistently such as present, past, future, perfect, and progressive (6-8);
       7. (G) write with increasing accuracy when using apostrophes in contractions such as won't and possessives such as Smith's (4-8); and
       8. (H) write with increasing accuracy when using pronoun case such as "She had the party." (6-8).

   18. (18) Writing/writing processes. The student selects and uses writing processes for self-initiated and assigned writing. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) generate ideas and plans for writing by using prewriting strategies such as brainstorming, graphic organizers, notes, and logs (4-8);
       2. (B) develop drafts by categorizing ideas, organizing them into paragraphs, and blending paragraphs within larger units of text (4-8);
       3. (C) revise selected drafts by adding, elaborating, deleting, combining, and rearranging text (4-8);
       4. (D) revise drafts for coherence, progression, and logical support of ideas (4-8);
       5. (E) edit drafts for specific purposes such as to ensure standard usage, varied sentence structure, and appropriate word choice (4-8);
       6. (F) use available technology to support aspects of creating, revising, editing, and publishing texts (4-8);
       7. (G) refine selected pieces frequently to "publish" for general and specific audiences (4-8);
       8. (H) proofread his/her own writing and that of others (4-8); and
       9. (I) select and use reference materials and resources as needed for writing, revising, and editing final drafts (4-8).

   19. (19) Writing/evaluation. The student evaluates his/her own writing and the writings of others. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) apply criteria to evaluate writing (4-8);
       2. (B) respond in constructive ways to others' writings (4-8);
       3. (C) evaluate how well his/her own writing achieves its purposes (4-8);
       4. (D) analyze published examples as models for writing (4-8); and
       5. (E) review a collection of written works to determine its strengths and weaknesses and to set goals as a writer (4-8).

   20. (20) Writing/inquiry/research. The student uses writing as a tool for learning and research. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) frame questions to direct research (4-8);
       2. (B) organize prior knowledge about a topic in a variety of ways such as by producing a graphic organizer (4-8);
       3. (C) take notes from relevant and authoritative sources such as guest speakers, periodicals, and on-line searches (4-8);
       4. (D) summarize and organize ideas gained from multiple sources in useful ways such as outlines, conceptual maps, learning logs, and timelines (4-8);
       5. (E) present information in various forms using available technology (4-8);
       6. (F) evaluate his/her own research and frame new questions for further investigation (4-8); and
       7. (G) follow accepted formats for writing research, including documenting sources (6-8).

   21. (21) Writing/connections. The student interacts with writers inside and outside the classroom in ways that reflect the practical uses of writing. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) collaborate with other writers to compose, organize, and revise various types of texts, including letters, news, records, and forms (4-8);
       2. (B) correspond with peers or others via e-mail or conventional mail (4-8); and
       3. (C) identify challenges faced by published authors and strategies they use to compose various types of text (7-8).

   22. (22) Viewing/representing/interpretation. The student understands and interprets visual images, messages, and meanings. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) describe how illustrators' choice of style, elements, and media help to represent or extend the text's meanings (4-8);
       2. (B) interpret important events and ideas gathered from maps, charts, graphics, video segments, or technology presentations (4-8); and
       3. (C) use media to compare ideas and points of view (4-8).

   23. (23) Viewing/representing/analysis. The student analyzes and critiques the significance of visual images, messages, and meanings. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) interpret and evaluate the various ways visual image makers such as illustrators, documentary filmmakers, and political cartoonists represent meanings (6-8);
       2. (B) compare and contrast print, visual, and electronic media such as film with written story (4-8);
       3. (C) evaluate the purposes and effects of various media such as film, print, and technology presentations (6-8); and
       4. (D) evaluate how different media forms influence and inform (6-8).

   24. (24) Viewing/representing/production. The student produces visual images, messages, and meanings that communicate with others. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) select, organize, or produce visuals to complement and extend meanings (4-8);
       2. (B) produce communications using technology or appropriate media such as developing a class newspaper, multimedia reports, or video reports (4-8); and
       3. (C) assess how language, medium, and presentation contribute to the message (6-8).

Source Note:The provisions of this §110.23 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.