Common Core Standards

Grade 7

Reading RL.7.5

Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.

This purpose of this standard is to have students understand why an author would choose to write something a certain way. After all, epistolary works (those in the form of letters) usually mean the author wants us to get deep into the characters' head, while sonnets usually signify that the author wants to convey passion. However, students don't have to think about why an author would choose one form or structure over another or how the meaning of a text would change if it was converted into a different form—that's a job for eighth graders.

Example 1

Here's an example lesson to use when students are reading South American literature and learning about immigration. 

Students will complete a KWL (Know-Want to Know-Learned) chart about immigration from South America. The will fill in the graphic organizer with new ideas and information after reading the short stories and poems about the Latino experience of coming to and living in America.

Aligned Resources