Common Core Standards

Grade 7

Writing W.7.3

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

Stories should be fun to write. For some reason, many students have come to hate creative writing, and the Common Core wants them to regain that love for creative writing. Because of that, students shouldn't be beaten over the head with these standards, but these are some questions you should be able to say "yes" to when reading students' work:

1. Does the main character have his or her own emotion and thoughts (which make up a point of view)? Does the main character's journey during the course of the story make sense?
2. Does the story have dialogue and descriptions? Is it paced in a way that makes it interesting to read?
3. Do you know when and where different scenes take place, and when the story changes to a different scene?
4. Can you picture what's being written in your head?
5. Do you feel like the main conflict resolved at the end of the story (even if it didn't end the way you had wanted it to)?

If you can say "yes" to all of these questions, then the student is on his or her way to becoming the next great creative writer.

Standard Components

Example 1

Here's a lesson that pairs nicely with any book about youthful rebellion. We like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but anything goes.

Students will use the writing process to write a narrative about their most rebellious moment. Sensory details, dialogue, and point of view will be emphasized. A comic strip can be used to help students flesh out a plotline to use in their narratives.

Aligned Resources

Teacher Guides

More standards from Grade 7 - Writing

If I'd had to teach to the Common Core, I would have used Shmoop, too.

Aristotle

The observed gravitational effect between Common Core activities results from their warping of Shmooptime.