Standard: 7.RL.10 – By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
Grade level: Grade 7
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Literature
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of reading and comprehending a range of literary texts, including stories, dramas, and poems. It aims to develop students’ ability to understand and appreciate literature at a deeper level, which is crucial for their overall literacy development. Students should have a basic understanding of literary elements such as plot, character, setting, and theme. They should also be able to identify and interpret figurative language and have experience reading a variety of genres.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to analyze more complex texts, compare and contrast different literary works, and engage in higher-level discussions about literature. They will also be prepared to write analytical essays about literature.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that students only need to understand the basic plot of a story. This is incorrect because understanding literature involves analyzing deeper elements such as themes, character motivations, and the author’s purpose.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, teachers can encourage students to ask deeper questions about the text, explore character motivations, and discuss themes and the author’s purpose.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that poetry is too difficult to understand and not worth their time. This is not true because poetry offers rich language and deep meanings that can enhance students’ comprehension and analytical skills.
Intervention 2
Teachers can help students overcome this misconception by providing strategies for interpreting poetry, such as looking for figurative language, understanding the structure, and discussing the poem’s themes.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of literary elements such as plot, character, setting, and theme. They should also be able to identify and interpret figurative language and have experience reading a variety of genres.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to analyze more complex texts, compare and contrast different literary works, and engage in higher-level discussions about literature. They will also be prepared to write analytical essays about literature.
Instructional Activities
- Group discussions about themes and characters in a novel
- Dramatic readings and performances of scenes from a play
- Poetry analysis and interpretation activities
- Literature circles focusing on different genres
- Writing analytical essays about literary works
