Topic: Language Standards, Grade 7.

Review:

Conventions of Grammar and Usage

.Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general.

.Choose among simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.

.Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, avoiding misplaced and dangling modifiers.

.Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

.Spell correctly.

Comment: The following applies to Grade 8 as well.

“Spell correctly.” Easy to say, not easy to do. A coherent spelling program is necessary, beginning with multi-syllable words through other words likely to be misspelled. [i.e., the only word spelled with –sede is supersede. Only three words end in –ceed, proceed, exceed and succeed. All other words ending with the sound of “seed” are spelled –cede, precede, recede, intercede, etc. Except for the word “seed” itself.] Also include how to spot typos and how to proofread by reading from last word to first. RayS.

.Emphasize conciseness in choosing words and phrases. Eliminate wordiness and redundancy.

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

.Multiple-meaning words

.Use known roots as clues to the meanings of unknown words.

.Verify estimation of a word’s meaning through use of the dictionary.

.Interpret various figures of speech.

.Distinguish words with similar meanings but different connotations.

.Highlight specialized words in different disciplines.

Source:  “CCSSI (Common Core State Standards Initiative) for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies and Science.” March 10, 2010. You will find the standards at http://www.corestandards.org/.