Essentials in Literature
Level 7
This homeschool literature curriculum features a slow, systematic approach for seventh grade students, aged 12 to 13, to learn literary analysis effectively. The step-by-step approach repeated each time a literary work is analyzed effectively teaches students how to approach literature. A complete English/Language Arts course includes both Essentials in Writing and Essentials in Literature for seventh grade.
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Includes access to ONLINE Student Book and Teacher Handbook
Includes lesson-by-lesson online video instruction for students
Includes 12-month online video lesson access with FREE renewals
Includes 100% free customer service and teacher support
PLEASE NOTE: DIGITAL only versions of Essentials in Literature will NOT include a copy of the novel. Physical copies of the Student Book and Teacher Handbook will only be shipped if selected below.
Order Essentials in Writing only
Order replacement textbooks & assessment resource books
Homeschool students will learn to apply parts of speech as well as use them as tools for effective communication. They will learn to write effectively by using a variety of sentence structures in paragraphs, a narrative, personal and business letters, an essay, and a research project. Students will explore expository, descriptive, persuasive, and compare, and contrast writing.
UNIT ONE: GRAMMAR
Apply Activities for Parts of Speech
- Adjectives
- Action Verbs
- Adverbs
- Prepositional Phrases
- Gerunds
- Vivid Language
Apply activities for sentence structure:
- Independent and Dependent clauses
- Simple and Compound Sentences
- Complex Sentences
- Avoiding Sentence Errors (fragments, run-ons, and comma splices)
- Varied Sentences in a Composition
- Appositives
- Transitions
Apply activities for common problems:
- Pronouns and Antecedents
- Subject/Verb Agreement
- Don’t/Doesn’t Problem
- Homophones
- Unclear Subjects
- Paraphrasing
- Writing a Summary
UNIT TWO: COMPOSITION
Follow the writing process for:
- Paragraphs (expository, persuasive, descriptive, compare, and contrast writing)
- Personal narrative
- Persuasive business letter
- Expository essay
- Descriptive personal letter
- Research project
Additional composition skills:
- Audience and purpose
- How to choose an appropriate writing form
- Informal and formal writing
- Finding and using quality sources to research and explain a topic
- Effective narrative writing skills (first and third-person point of view, mechanics of dialogue, narrative hook, narrative writing)
- Letter formatting (personal letters and business letters)
- Effective writing skills (sensory details, hooks, thesis statement and restatement, mechanics of dialogue, first and third-person point of view, transitions, variety of sentence structures and word choice)
- Summarizing and paraphrasing someone else’s content in their own words
- Develop supportive, strong details and examples
Sample Lesson Video – Level 7
Level 7 – Sample PDFs
Frequently Asked Questions About Level 7 Writing Curriculum
How old are 7th level students?
The general age for students completing Level 7 is 12 or 13 years old. The age can vary depending on if a child has started school early, on time, or is repeating a grade. The age of the student does not delegate if a child can complete this writing course. Instead, we recommend that students have a basic understanding of spelling, grammar, sentences, composition, and the skills taught in Level 6 before beginning.
What is taught in Level 7?
Level 7 will teach students to apply parts of speech and sentence structures to produce more complex and purposeful writing and introduces them to new grammatical concepts such as gerunds and appositives. Writing activities in Level 7 reinforce the writing process for persuasive, expository, descriptive, narrative, and research writing. Students will gain familiarity with the business letter format and the mechanics of dialogue and continue to learn techniques that will allow them to write with greater clarity and development.
What is the 7th grade homeschool writing curriculum?
In homeschool, 7th grade writing curriculum consists of online video lessons, a student textbook/workbook, and an answer key. Parents use this homeschool writing curriculum to guide their students through grammar and writing for the 7th grade. Seventh grade students should already have a basic understanding of grammar, how to write sentences and a basic paragraph, and the basic concept of beginning, middle, and end in writing.
Why choose Essentials in Writing?
Essentials in Writing is an excellent choice for homeschool curriculum because it is not parent intensive, and each composition follows a step-by-step process (The Writing Process) broken down into small chunks of information with the act of modeling provided by the teacher, Mr. Stephens, on video.
7th grade writing as a Tutoring Program
Many parents and teachers use this program for the children and students as a middle school writing tutor. Because each composition follows a step-by-step process (The Writing Process) broken down into small chunks of information with the act of modeling provided by the teacher, Mr. Stephens, on video, students learn to write well with ease. Additionally, given the fact that the lessons are short and compositions are written over several days rather than in one sitting, Essentials in Writing is an easy add to a student’s school day, like an after-school tutoring program. Most lessons are a maximum of 30 minutes each day, including the time students spend watching the teacher on video and working on the assignment.
What is included in the Workbook and Assessment Resource Book?
7th Grade Writing Workbook
- Lesson content that accompanies the video lesson
- Lesson activities that accompany the video lesson
- Writing graphic organizers that accompany the video lesson
- Separate parent/teacher handbook
- How to use the program
- 34-week lesson planning option
- Writing icon descriptions
- Sample answers for each lesson
- Scoring rubrics for compositions
- Point values for each activity and composition
- How to score activities and compositions
7th Grade Writing Assessment (A) / Resource Book (R)
- (A) Multiple choice, underline, fill-in-the-blank for each mini section of the grammar unit
- (A) Composition assessments for each composition completed in the workbook
- (A) Unit One and Unit Two comprehensive assessments
- (R) Extra graphic organizers
- (R) Extra helpful graphics
- (R) Extra composition rubrics
- (R) Research project source cards
- (R) Extra writing checklists
- (R) Additional word lists
The Assessment/Resource Book will provide students the opportunity to show what information they are retaining. Although some parents/teachers use the assessments as actual evaluations, others use them as extra practice. The point values are included to help parents/teachers track and evaluate the student’s progress, though some parents may not use them. The additional word lists and graphics are valuable in improving student vocabulary and remind the student of important writing techniques.
What if I have multiple students?
Additional 7th grade writing workbooks can be purchased to provide a workbook for another child/student. The workbook does not have additional information and is just another core workbook for another student so that each student has their own workbook to use.
What should a grade 7 homeschool student know by the end of the year?
Students completing their 7thgrade year should have mastered a number of skills and writing techniques.
- Apply parts of speech in writing
- Identify and correct common writing problems
- Use writing techniques to communicate effectively in written language
- Identify and use a variety of clauses and sentence structures to develop quality sentences
- Know and understand how to effectively paraphrase and summarize content
- Follow the writing process to communicate in paragraphs, narratives, letters, and essays
- Know and understand how to use strong details and examples to support opinions and explanations in writing
- Know and understand how to develop thesis statements for larger compositions
- Identify audience and purpose
- Use graphic organizers effectively to organize writing content
- Know how to choose an appropriate writing form
- Understand informal and formal writing
- Understand how to format personal and business letters
- Know and understand effective writing skills: strong details, transitions, variety of sentence structure, effective use of dialogue, and effective use of vivid language and sensory details
- Research a topic using quality sources, paraphrase content, and include multiple small compositions in a research project
What is included in the course?
Unit One covers grammar instruction with activities where students learn to apply parts of speech, to identify and correct common problems in writing, to use parts of speech along with a variety of sentence structures and vivid language as tools for effective communication, and to effectively paraphrase and summarize content.
Unit Two covers the writing process for multiple compositions as well as how to communicate effectively in written language through a variety of styles and formats by applying effective writing tools. The unit ends with a research project.
Does each unit come with worksheets and tests?
Both units are included in the 7thgrade writing curriculum Workbook/Textbook. This book contains instructional content as well as worksheet activities related to both units (grammar and composition). An Assessment/Resource Book is available for purchase to accompany the Workbook/Textbook and includes a variety of assessments in different formats as well as additional resources such as graphic organizers and resource word lists.
Does the workbook include a daily/weekly curriculum planner?
Each level of Essentials in Writing includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, lesson planner.
How much time will students need to complete a course?
The time needed to complete the 7th level writing curriculum is a typical academic year (34 weeks). If students follow the 34-week plan included, they will complete individual lessons and activities during the week; however, because the lessons are broken up into small, daily mini-lessons, students can double up on some lessons and activities and complete the entire course sooner. Each day, students will spend 15-30 minutes on writing.
Can I grade my student papers myself?
Yes. Essentials in Writing provides both scoring checklists and rubrics for your convenience with sample compositions for comparison purposes.
Some parents, however, choose to use The Essentials in Writing Scoring Service. This service is an optional add-on that takes the scoring burden off parent/teacher and places it on the scoring team! Our Scoring Team includes a variety of qualified individuals including long-time educators, librarians, and professionals with Bachelor’s degrees in English.
Parents of students completing Levels 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of Essentials in Writing are eligible to purchase this service. Offered from August 1 to May 15 of each school year, one composition for each EIW assignment may be submitted for scoring. If purchased after the August 1 start date, services still expire on May 15 of the following year.
The scoring system includes:
* Online access through Gradient where the Scoring Services are conducted
* One final composition from each lesson of Essentials in Writing to submit for scoring
* Feedback in the form of a rubric with a score as well as a one-paragraph write-up from their scorer complementing strengths and sharing areas to improve, plus, detailed comments and suggestions within the composition
The Difference Between Digital and Print Textbook/Workbook
The online version of the curriculum includes all of the required materials for completing a level of Essentials in Writing or Essentials in Literature, but in a digital format. With the online version, all of your materials are in one spot within the member’s dashboard for you to view and print!
The required online materials include:
- Student Workbook/Textbook
- Lesson Videos
- Teacher Handbook (EIW Levels 1-10 and EIL 7-9)
For EIW Levels 1-10, you can get a digital Assessment/Resource Booklet as well!
How does this compare to the print version? The print version of the curriculum includes all the online access to the digital materials AND the printed, physical, tangible version of the textbooks. The printed books are great for students who prefer to complete their assignments directly within an organized, bound book.
It simply comes down to personal preference. Now, families have the added convenience of being able to access their materials in different formats.
Additional Student Level Textbook/Workbook
Additional Workbook is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing video instruction. This is only a Student Workbook for an ADDITIONAL student using the same level of video instruction. Please note that the Workbook is not functional without the related video instruction.
About The Scoring Service
Let Essentials in Writing take the scoring burden off your mind! Our Scoring Team includes a variety of qualified individuals, including long-time educators, librarians, and professionals with Bachelor’s degrees in English, and they are ready to take the burden of grading compositions away from you.
Parents of students completing levels 6*, 7*, 8*, 9, 10, 11 or 12 of Essentials in Writing are eligible to purchase this service. (*Second Editions only.) Offered from August 1 to May 15 of each school year, one composition for each EIW assignment may be submitted for scoring. If purchased after August 1 start date, services still expire on May 15 the following year.
How Do The Scoring Services Work?
- Available from August 1 to May 15 (one school year).
- One final composition from each composition lesson of Essentials in Writing may be presented for scoring.
- Students receive a rubric with a score as well as a one-paragraph write-up from their scorer complimenting strengths and sharing areas to improve, plus, detailed comments and suggestions within the composition.
- Scoring Services will be conducted online through Canvas by Instructure.
PLEASE NOTE: Scoring services are for Essentials in Writing only and are not eligible for unconditional money back guarantee.
Read More About Our Scoring Service
(Assessment/Resource Booklet is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing curriculum)
Assessment/Resource Booklet
- Assessments
15 grammar assessments in a variety of formats (fill in the blank and revision activities associated with both sentences and larger compositions), five composition assessments, and two comprehensive unit tests - Resources
Parent/student full-color word lists, composition resources, and multiple graphic organizers
Essentials in Writing comes with Online Streaming Video Instruction
- ONLINE STREAMING
12 month access to ONLINE lesson-by-lesson video instruction (Free renewals upon request) - DVD
DVD video lessons can be added for $45.00 plus shipping (This includes access to online streaming as well)
The Level 7 Literature course is broken down into four units with each unit focusing on a different type of literature. Unit One focuses on short story fiction with fiction unit terms and explanation, seven short stories (application), and one summative assessment.
Unit 1: Fiction (Short Stories)
- Fiction unit terms and explanation
- 7 short stories (application)
- 1 summative assessment
Unit 2: Nonfiction (Short Literary Works)
- Nonfiction unit terms and explanation
- 6 nonfiction works (application)
- 1 summative assessment
Unit 3: Novel
- 1 Novel (literary analysis application)
- 1 summative assessment
- 1 character study project
Unit 4: Figurative Language/Poetry
- Figurative Language/Poetry Unit terms and explanation
- 5 units of up to 10 literary works (application)
- 1 summative assessment
Sample Lesson Video – Level 7
Level 7 – Sample PDFs
Frequently Asked Questions About Level 7 Essentials in Literature
What is included in the course?
The Level 7 Literature course is broken down into four units with each unit focusing on a different type of literature. Unit One focuses on short story fiction with fiction unit terms and explanation, seven short stories (application), and one summative assessment. Unit Two centers on short nonfiction literature and includes nonfiction unit terms and explanation, six nonfiction works (application), and one summative assessment. Unit Three has one novel with a literary analysis application, one summative assessment, and one character study project. Unit Four is all about figurative language/poetry terms and explanation, five units of up to ten literary works (application), and one summative assessment.
How are tests and assignments graded?
Scoring is for Essentials in Writing only, and there is no scoring for Essentials in Literature. The literature curriculum provides parents with scoring guides found in the answer key that include sample answers for each activity.
How much time will students need to complete Essentials in Literature?
The Essentials in Literature material follows the same 34-week timeline as Essentials in Writing, but students can work faster than the intended timeline to finish the course sooner. Each day, students will spend 15-40 minutes on writing.
Does the Workbook include a daily/weekly curriculum planner?
Essentials in Literature Level 7 includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, lesson planner geared for middle school level learning.
Will I need to purchase additional reading material for this curriculum?
Shorter works for Units One, Two, and Four can be found online. Instructions are given in the Parent/Teacher Handbook. The chosen novel for Unit Three is included with the purchase of Essentials in Literature Level 7.
What is included in the bundle?
The bundle for Level 7 includes both Essentials in Writing and Essentials in Literature. The textbook, workbook, and video content are included in the bundle price.
Difference between the writing workbook and literature workbook?
Essentials in Writing texbook/workbook is the writing component whereas Essentials in Literature textbook/workbook is the literary analysis component in order to earn an English credit at the middle school level.
The Difference Between Digital and Print Textbook/Workbook
The online version of the curriculum includes all of the required materials for completing a level of Essentials in Writing or Essentials in Literature, but in a digital format. With the online version, all of your materials are in one spot within the member’s dashboard for you to view and print!
The required online materials include:
- Student Workbook/Textbook
- Lesson Videos
- Teacher Handbook (EIW Levels 1-10 and EIL 7-9)
For EIW Levels 1-10, you can get a digital Assessment/Resource Booklet as well!
How does this compare to the print version? The print version of the curriculum includes all the online access to the digital materials AND the printed, physical, tangible version of the textbooks. The printed books are great for students who prefer to complete their assignments directly within an organized, bound book.
It simply comes down to personal preference. Now, families have the added convenience of being able to access their materials in different formats.
Additional Student Level Textbook/Workbook
This is only a Student Workbook for an ADDITIONAL student using the same level of video instruction. Please note that the Workbook is not functional without the related video instruction.
Scoring Services are for Essentials in Writing only.
Essentials in Writing comes with Online Streaming Video Instruction
- ONLINE STREAMING
12 month access to ONLINE lesson-by-lesson video instruction (Free renewals upon request) - DVD
DVD video lessons can be added for $25.00 plus shipping (This includes access to online streaming as well)
Not sure which level is right for your student? Use the level wizard.
Not sure which level is right for your student? Use the level wizard.