5: Unit 4: Research-Based 25-26 CM (Grade 7)

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1	Unit 4: Learning from Nature (Research-Based Essay)				Unit pacing: 4 weeks and 4 days (April 6- May 15, 2026)			April 27- May 1 Benchmark 4
2	Primary Writing Assessment: Research Paper				Secondary Writing Assessments: Research-Based Essay
3	Unit Overview and Enduring Understandings	In this unit, students explore how nature provides us with the necessities we need to survive—air, water, and soil in which to grow food. They discuss how different societies and cultures relate differently to the environment. By reading diverse text selections, students consider how our relationship with nature goes far beyond the needs of survival, becoming a mirror in which we see ourselves, a friend that gives us gifts, and even an enemy that we fight and that fights us back. Students develop action plans for the texts they read with small groups and independently, and they engage in self-directed research throughout the unit.
4	Unit Essential Question	What is the relationship between people and nature?
5	Essential Questions	How do I find credible and reliable sources for my research? How can I effectively take notes and use information from different sources? How can I avoid plagiarism and properly cite my sources? How can I evaluate the credibility and reliability of information from different sources (e.g., websites, books, articles)? How can I identify bias in sources and understand different perspectives on a topic?
6	Content Domain	Essential Standards	Supporting Standards	Concept/Skills (Suggested Vocabulary Bolded and Undelined)	Evidence of Mastery (Standard Proficiency)	Assessments	District Aligned Resources
7	Reading Literature Standards	7.RL.1 * Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.	7.RL.7 Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film). 7.RL.10 By the end of the year, proficiently and independently read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in a text complexity range determined by qualitative and quantitative measures appropriate to grade 7.	● Cite several pieces of textual evidence. ● Analyze what the text says explicitly. ● Draw inferences from the text.	7.RL.1 cites several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.	Benchmark 4: April 27-May 1 PERFORMANCE TASKS Mid-Unit Performance Tasks - Write a research paper in which you answer a focused research question about the following broad topic: problems that pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, currently face. - With your group, research how to perform a specific task or activity related to the natural world. Then, teach the rest of your class that task, using instructions to guide them step by step. End-of-Unit Performance-Based Assessments - Write a research-based essay that explores an answer to the Essential Question: What is the relationship between people and nature? Develop Your Perspective: Unit Projects Students choose how to demonstrate their learning through: - Create a t-shirt design that depicts one idea from the unit about the relationship between people and nature. - Write a paragraph detailing one idea from the unit that you will always remember. - In small groups, hold an informal debate about this question: How important is nature in humans’ lives?	SAAVAS: My Perspective
8		7.RL.2 * Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.		● Determine a theme or central idea. ●Analyze the development of a theme or central idea. ●Write an objective summary of the text.	7.RL.2 determines a theme or central idea of a text and analyzes its development over the course of a text; provides an objective summary of a text.
9		7.RL.3 * Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).		● Analyze particular elements of a story or drama interact	7.RL.3 analyzes how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
10		7.RL.4 * Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.		● Determine the meaning of words and phrases including figurative and connotative meanings ● Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. ● Analyze specific rhymes and other repetition sounds in a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.	7.RL.4 determines the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyzes the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) in a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
11	Reading Informational Standards	7.RI.1 * Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.	7.RI.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others. 7.RI.10 By the end of the year, proficiently and independently read and comprehend informational texts and nonfiction in a text complexity range determined by qualitative and quantitative measures appropriate to grade 7.	● Cite several pieces of textual evidence. ● Analyze what the text says explicitly. ● Draw inferences drawn from the text.	7.RI.1 cites several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
12		7.RI.2 * Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.		● Determine a theme or central idea. ●Analyze the development of a theme or central idea including its relationship to supporting ideas ●Write an objective summary of the text.	7.RI.2 determines two or more central ideas in a text and analyzes their development over the course of the text; provides an objective summary of a text.
13		7.RI.4 * Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.		● Determine the meaning of words and phrases including figurative and connotative meanings ● Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone including analogies or allusions	7.RI.4 determines the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyzes the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
14		7.RI.5 * Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.		● Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text ● Analyze how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas	7.RI.5 analyzes the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.
15		7.RI.9 * Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.		● Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts	7.RI.9 analyzes how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.
16	Writing Standards	7.W.1 * Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.	7.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. 7.W.6 Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others. 7.W.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation. 7.W.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation. 7.W.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.	● Write arguments supporting claims with clear reasoning and relevant evidence. ● Introduce claims. ● Acknowledge alternate or opposing claims ● Organize reasons and evidence logically. ● Support claims with logical reasoning and relevant evidence. ● Utilize accurate and credible sources. ● Demonstrate and understanding of topic or text. ● Create cohesion using words, phrases, and clauses. ● Clarify claims, reasons, and evidence. ● Establish and maintain a formal style. ● Provide a concluding statement supporting the argument.	7.W.1 writes arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
17		7.W.2 * Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.		● Write informative/explanatory texts. ● Examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information ● Introduce a topic clearly. ● Organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories. ● Develop a topic with well-chosen, relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information. ● Create cohesion with varied transitions. ● Clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. ● Inform or explain a topic using precise language & domain-specific vocabulary. ● Establish a formal style. ● Provide a supportive concluding statement.	7.W.2 writes informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
18		7.W.4 * Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade‐specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above).		● Produce clear and coherent writing. ● Develop, organize, and style appropriate writing for task, purpose, and audience.	7.W.4-6 produces clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience; develops and strengthens writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed; edits for conventions; uses technology to produce writing.
19	Speaking and Listening Standards	7.SL.2 * Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, and orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.	7.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. 7.SL.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, appropriate vocabulary, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. 7.SL.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.	● Analyze main ideas and supporting details in many different medias and formats ● Explain how ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.	7.SL.2 analyzes the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explains how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
20	Language Standards	7.L.1 * Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.	7.L.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. 7.L.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. 7.L.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. 7.L.6 Acquire and use accurately grade‐appropriate general academic and domain‐specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.	● Demonstrate commands of English grammar when writing. ● Explain function of verbals & their function in sentences. ● Form & use verbs in active & passive voice. ● Form verbs in indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjective moods. ● Recognize & correct inappropriate shifts.	7.L.1 demonstrates command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
21	Language Standards	7.L.2 * Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.		● Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English. ● Explain the function of phrases and clauses and their function in specific sentences. ● Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound‐complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas. ●Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.	7.L.2 demonstrates command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
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