7th Grade ELA Reading Lesson Plan: Analyzing Textual Evidence
Overview
This four-day lesson plan focuses on teaching 7th Grade students how to analyze textual evidence effectively. The lessons align with Arizona BIE Standards for English Language Arts and aim to build students’ skills in identifying, citing, and using textual evidence to support their understanding of texts.
Day 1: Introduction to Textual Evidence
Objective
Students will understand the concept of textual evidence and identify its importance in supporting claims about a text.
Standards
- AZ ELA Standard: 7.RL.1 - Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Copies of a short story or excerpt (e.g., "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry)
- Handouts on textual evidence
Procedures
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Introduction (15 minutes)
- Begin with a brief discussion on what textual evidence is.
- Ask students about their understanding of the term and why it might be important in reading.
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Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
- Present examples of strong vs. weak statements about a text.
- Explain the difference between opinion and evidence.
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Guided Practice (20 minutes)
- Distribute copies of the short story.
- Read it aloud as a class.
- Discuss the main themes and characters.
- Ask students to find one piece of textual evidence for a claim related to the story.
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Closure (5 minutes)
- Summarize what textual evidence is and ask a few students to share their findings.
Homework
- Students will choose a character from the story and write a paragraph identifying that character's traits, citing textual evidence.
Day 2: Identifying Textual Evidence
Objective
Students will learn how to locate and extract evidence from a text in response to specific questions.
Standards
- AZ ELA Standard: 7.RL.1 - Analyze how specific elements of a story interact.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Copies of the same story or a new poem
- Highlighters
Procedures
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Review (10 minutes)
- Recap what was learned on Day 1 about textual evidence.
- Review the homework and allow students to share their paragraphs.
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Mini-Lesson (15 minutes)
- Teach students how to formulate questions that can be answered using textual evidence.
- Provide examples (e.g., “How does the author show the main character’s bravery?”).
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Independent Practice (25 minutes)
- Distribute copies of a new text (e.g., a poem).
- Students will work individually to read and highlight evidence that answers given questions.
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Closure (5 minutes)
- Discuss how different types of texts may require different approaches to finding evidence.
Homework
- Write down three questions about the poem and identify at least one piece of textual evidence that answers each question.
Day 3: Citing Textual Evidence
Objective
Students will learn the correct way to cite textual evidence in their writing.
Standards
- AZ ELA Standard: 7.W.1 - Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Citation handouts
- Draft copies of student responses from previous days
Procedures
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Introduction (10 minutes)
- Discuss what it means to cite textual evidence and why it matters in academic writing.
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Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
- Teach students how to format citations using MLA style.
- Discuss how to integrate quotes into their writing smoothly.
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Guided Practice (15 minutes)
- In pairs, have students choose a quote from a previously read text and practice integrating it into a written sentence.
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Independent Practice (10 minutes)
- Students will revise their homework from Day 2, citing evidence properly.
Homework
- Draft a short argument essay using textual evidence from the texts read during the week.
Day 4: Synthesizing Textual Evidence
Objective
Students will synthesize multiple pieces of textual evidence to support a single claim or argument.
Standards
- AZ ELA Standard: 7.RL.9 - Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Copies of two different texts addressing similar themes
- Graphic organizers
Procedures
-
Review (10 minutes)
- Briefly review the previous study of textual evidence and citation.
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Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
- Explain synthesis and its importance: combining evidence from multiple sources to form a cohesive argument or analysis.
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Independent Practice (20 minutes)
- Provide students with two different texts on a common theme (e.g., friendship).
- Using a graphic organizer, students will identify and synthesize evidence from both texts.
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Closure (10 minutes)
- Allow a few students to share how they synthesized their evidence and discuss variations in interpretation.
Assessment
- Collect the argument essays and graphic organizers for assessment.
Homework
- Reflective journaling on what they learned about using textual evidence over the week.
Conclusion
Over the course of these four days, students will develop stronger skills in analyzing, identifying, citing, and synthesizing textual evidence. By engaging in discussions, group work, and independent activities, they will clarify their comprehension of texts, reinforcing the importance of supporting their claims with textual evidence in their future writing.
Note: The above lesson plan can be adjusted as needed depending on class dynamics and student needs.