Aim: 7th Grade ELA Strategies and Preparation!

This year the ELA will be held on April 17, 18, & 19, 2012.  

Context Clues

�What does it mean? When readers come to an unfamiliar word, they should first try to use context clues to figure out the meaning.�Context clues are the words in the same sentence or in the sentences around the unknown word.

 

Context Clues

Example Volcanoes can erupt without warning. Scientists monitor volcanoes so that they may predict eruptions. Scientists use equipment to watch the volcanoes. MONITOR most likely means... 

Context Clues

Example Volcanoes can erupt without warning. Scientists monitor volcanoes so that they may predict eruptions. Scientists use equipment to watch the volcanoes. MONITOR most likely means...�Answer:

“To check” or “to keep track of.”

Drawing Conclusions

�What does it mean? When readers form an overall opinion after reading, they draw a conclusion.

 Conclusions are based on text details.

Drawing Conclusions

Example The National Weather Service issues tornado watches and tornado warnings. The service also has storm spotters who report what they see in the sky. What can you conclude about the National Weather Service?

 

Drawing Conclusions

Example The National Weather Service issues tornado watches and tornado warnings. The service also has storm spotters who report what they see in the sky. What can you conclude about the National Weather Service? Answer:The National Weather Service provides the public with information about tornadoes.

Author's Purpose� What does it mean? Writing may have different purposes. An author may write to entertain or to inform or teach readers. Writers may also write to persuade readers to think or act in certain ways. Sometimes authors write for more than one reason.

Author's Purpose

Example Flu season is here. How can you protect yourself? Get plenty of rest. Wash your hands often. Eat healthy foods, drink lots of liquids like water, juice, and Fluless. Fluless tastes great and is good for you! Everyone should drink it.�What is the author's purpose?�

Author's PurposeExample Flu season is here. How can you protect yourself? Get plenty of rest. Wash your hands often. Eat healthy foods, drink lots of liquids like water, juice, and Fluless. Fluless tastes great! Everyone should drink it.�What is the author's purpose? Answer:To inform readers about ways to protect themselves from the flu, and/or to persuade readers to drink Fluless.

ELA Listening Section Strategies

   ● Don't worry about grammar, spelling, and

punctuation when note taking.   

ELA Listening Section Strategies

● Don't worry about grammar, spelling, and punctuation when note taking.

 ● Focus on the information you are listening

to, not on the proper presentation (use abbreviations, not full sentences).

 

ELA Listening Section Strategies

● Don't worry about grammar, spelling, and punctuation when note taking.

 ● Focus on the information you are listening

to, not on the proper presentation (use abbreviations, not full sentences).

 ● You can add bullet points or a dash mark to

indicate the start of a new note. This may help you to not repeat information.

ELA Listening Section Strategies Two-Column Note Taking: Fold a piece of paper in half.  Use the left side to take notes while you listen the first time. Use the right side to add anything you missed as you listen again.

"Animals Deserve Better" Listening Piece 

Question 1: What often happens to horses after they are past their prime? A. They retire. B. They are abandoned or sold to slaughter houses. C. Jockeys run the horses until they die naturally. D. They are used to breed more racing horses.

Question 1: What often happens to racing horses after they are past their prime?

B. They are abandoned or sold to slaughter houses

Question 2: Read the following excerpt from the passage. “It’s one thing to hunt and fish for food. Although some people oppose this as well, animals do provide people with

SUSTENANCE.”

 The word SUSTENANCE MOST LIKELY means? A. CompanionshipB. WarmthC. NourishmentD. Entertainment

 

    

Question 3: The word SUSTENANCE MOST LIKELY means?

      

C. Nourishment

Question 3: Read the following excerpt from the passage.“Occasionally, a horse will break a leg during the race and have to be EUTHANIZED."

 

Which word or phrase MOST CLOSELY means EUTHANIZED?

A. Killed painlesslyB. HealedC. Left injuredD. Carried off

    

Question 3: Which word or phrase most closely means EUTHANIZED? 

A. Killed painlessly

Question 4: What is the author’s purpose for writing this passage?

A. Provide a brief history of animal abuse through the ages. B. Compare how different countries use animals for sport and entertainment. C. Convince readers to stop buying tickets to sporting events and circuses. D. Persuade readers that animals should not be used for sport or entertainment.

 

Question 4: What is the author’s purpose for writing this passage?

  D. Persuade readers that animals should not be used for sport or entertainment.

  

Question 5: What is the author’s main idea regarding hunting and fishing?

A. Only select cultures have a legitimate right to hunt or fish. B. They should not be done under any circumstances. C. They are acceptable as a sport, but not for entertainment.  D. They are acceptable if done for food, but never for sport.

  

Question 5: What is the author’s main idea regarding hunting and fishing?   D. They are acceptable if done for food, but never for sport.

Question 6: An alternate title for this passage could be?

A. "Animals Are Treated Fairly"  B. "Humans Are Smarter Than Animals" C. "Animal Treatment Must Be Improved" D. "No More Fishing Or Hunting!"

Question 6: An alternate title for this passage could be?

C. "Animal Treatment Must Be Improved" 

 

Question 7: What conclusion can be made about the author of "Animals Deserve Better?"

A. The author thinks people are justified when they hunt or fish for sport B. The author believes that animals should NOT be used for sport and entertainment  C. The author believes circuses and zoos are proper habitats for animals D. The author thinks people are NOT justified when hunting or fishing for food

Question 7: What conclusion can be made about the author of "Animals Deserve Better?" 

B. The author believes that animals should NOT be used for sport and entertainment

  

Question 8: Which new detail would BEST make the argument more convincing?

A. Statistics proving that many horses get hurt in sports. B. A quote from a child who enjoys going to the circus. C. Examples of cultures that traditionally hunt for sport. D. A list of television programs about sport fishing.

 

        Question 8: Which new detail would BEST make the argument more convincing?

A. Statistics proving that many horses get hurt in sports.

Short Response:Using one detail from the article for each box, complete the chart below to describe how the author believes bullfighting and horse racing are cruel.

How bullfighting is cruel?

How horse racing is cruel?

ELA Preparation

Homework on E-Board! Read the two passages and answer the questions. Due tomorrow 4/3!

     April 3, 2012  Aim: ELA Reading Section Strategies

 

Text Structure

�Authors organize their writing in different ways. Text Structure is the way a text is arranged or organized.

 

Types of Text Structure

•Cause & Effect – the author presents a problem or idea, outlines causes of the problem or idea, and then presents the effects that the causes have on the problem or idea. •Chronological Order – information is presented in the order it happens. •Problem & Solution – the author presents a dilemma and a possible solution or solutions.

 

Types of Text Structure

•Process/Listing – an author might use this style if the information presented involves a series of steps. •Comparison/Contrast – the author introduces two or more events, people, places, or ideas and then identifies their similarities and differences.

Compare and Contrast

What does it mean?

 Authors use compare-contrast structure to show similarities and differences between two or more people, places, events, or ideas.

Compare and ContrastExampleBoth dolphins and porpoises live in the ocean. They have lungs and breathe air. As opposed to dolphins, porpoises are small. Unlike sleek dolphins, porpoises are plump. Porpoises are shy animals, while dolphins are friendly toward people.  What is this passage comparing?

What do they have in common? What are their differences? 

Compare and Contrast

What is this passage comparing?Dolphins and porpoises.

 What do they have in common?

Both live in the ocean, have lungs, and breathe air. What are their differences?

Porpoises are small, plump, and shy. Dolphins are big, sleek, and friendly.

Venn Diagram�One way of synthesizing, or understanding, information in a

compare/contrast passage is by creating a Venn Diagram.�

When filling out a Venn Diagram, write details that tell how the subjects are different in the outer circles.  Write details that tell how the subjects are alike where the circles overlap.

 

Venn Diagram

 

 

Making Inferences

What does it mean?

 Authors do not always explain everything in the text & sometimes readers must make inferences, or educated guesses, based on details in the text and on what they already know. 

Making Inferences

Example My arms ached from paddling, but I had to getthrough each swirling pool of water. �Where is this person? How do you know?  

Making Inferences

ExampleMy arms ached from paddling, but I had to getthrough each swirling pool of water.

This person is rowing through rapids or rapidly running water.

Finding the Theme

What does it mean?

 �Theme is the central idea or insight about life an author wants readers to understand.  Theme is the general message of a story.

Finding the Theme

ExampleA lion was awakened by a mouse. The mouse pleaded for his life, noting that he could help the lion one day. The angry lion laughed, but he did let the little mouse go. Some time later, the mouse saw that the lion was caught in a hunter's net. The mouse nibbled the net until the lion could crawl out to safety.  What does the author want me to understand about life? What is his message?

Finding the Theme

What does the author want me to understand about life? What is his message?The lion didn't think the little mouse could help, but the mouse was a big help.  The theme is, "Size doesn't matter. Everyone can help."

ELA Reading Section Note Taking Strategies

Reading passages differ in length and subject matter.  It can be difficult to keep track of the main ideas, plot, and details while you read, especially when you are reading several passages one after the other.  

ELA Reading Section Note Taking Strategies

Look for the causes of the things that happen to a passage's main characters. Pay attention to the "who, what, where, when, why, and how" information from a passage.   

ELA Reading Section Note Taking Strategies

No need to memorize all of this information!  Keep track of the main idea by taking notes. Stop after each paragraph and write a label—a word or phrase that summarizes the main ideas of that paragraph.     

 

ELA Reading Section Note Taking Strategies Let's try these strategies on last night's assignment!