1. Mark Boatman
Interdisciplinary Curriculum Lesson – For 7th Grade
Standard:
1. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine atopic and convey ideas,
concepts, and informationthrough the selection, organization, and analysisof
relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing whatis to follow; organize ideas, concepts,
andinformation, using strategies such as definition, classification,
comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings),graphics
(e.g., charts, tables), and multimediawhen useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts,definitions, concrete details, quotations,
orother information and examples.
c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesionand clarify the relationships among
ideas andconcepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specificvocabulary to inform about or explain
thetopic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or sectionthat follows from and supports the
information
Relevant Ideas for Meeting the Core Writing Standard:
Reading: Group Investigation - In groups of three, students will write an essay
reviewing a novel or chapter of a novel, explaining the characters, the plot, the
climax, etc. Each student will write about one of the criteria above, and then
collaborate to form a well-structured essay.
Math: Students will write a step-by-step summary of how they solved an algebra
problem. The focus will be on how each step led to the equation’s solution. Think
about including transitions between each step, conveying your thought process.
Science: Students will research a species within the family of vertebrates, and write
an informative report explaining the basic information of the animal. Be sure to use
relevant and specific vocabulary, as discussed in the textbook, to explain your
animal.

2. Social Studies: Students will explain the Constitution in a short essay, why our
founders developed a set of rules/laws of the land, and then explain how the
Constitution relates to rules of the classroom, and the purpose of those rules. Be
sure to include quotations, and a timeline.
Art: Students will compile their artwork throughout the semester and create a
portfolio of the artwork and brief explanations about each piece.
Cooperative Learning: Think-pair-share – Students can think to themselves about a
specific topic that is introduced, pair with another student, and then collaborate to
come up with a well-structured informative report about the topic, and present it to
the class. This fosters participation and involvement, and allows the students to
really think and analyze before putting anything down in writing.
Differentiated Instruction: Orbital Studies – Students can conduct independent
investigations into a topic of their choosing. For example, pick an article from the
“World” or “Local” section of the newspaper. Students will select an article of their
choosing, and explain/expand on the article through research, and then write out
their findings in a well-organized article that they author. I can help guide students
if they need some advice or examples.