Unit 1: Paragraph Basics

*This unit is focused on writing skills, and integrate the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts as follows:

Text Types & Purposes
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2.A
Introduce a topic or thesis statement clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2.E
Establish and maintain a formal style.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2.F
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

This is the first unit for a 7th Grade English class, using Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs by National Geographic Learning as the primary resource. It includes lessons on all of the fundamentals of paragraph writing:

Sentence & Paragraph basics
Topic sentences
Topic sentences pt.2
Present simple tense
Supporting sentences
Concluding sentences
Imperatives

Each PPT comes with a printout for students to take notes on. When an animated man appears on a slide, that is the signal for students to take notes. The unit concludes with students writing their own paragraph, utilizing all of the things learned in the unit.