Seventh grade often sits in a transitional space. Learners are no longer new to middle school, but they aren’t at the top of the academic ladder. A high-quality 7th grade homeschool English/Language Arts (ELA) curriculum can turn this in-between year into one of meaningful academic growth.
Below, we’ll cover the differences between teaching 7th grade ELA at school and at home, the topics typically covered, and the different philosophies behind curriculum options. We’ll help you select and implement a curriculum in your home that supports you and your 7th grader throughout the year.
Overview: 7th Grade Homeschool English/ELA Curriculum
ELA isn’t just one school subject: it’s a whole host of them, including classic literature, contemporary reading, creative and academic writing, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, speaking, listening, and media literacy (National Governors Association 4).
On the plus side, 7th grade ELA instruction can benefit from the budding intellectual curiosity of kids that age and their inherent interest in argument. Media literacy skills become important, which they find interesting, and it can be a prime time for them to develop their own sense of humor and voice. But there are challenges too. The more difficult reading and the move from more fun, creative writing assignments to academic essays can be daunting for kids (National Council of Teachers of English, 21st Century Literacies). But with the right homeschool curriculum, you can lessen the challenges and maximize the perks.
Differences in teaching English at home versus in school
There’s a world of difference between teaching ELA in a traditional school setting and at home, and the home environment provides some unique benefits.
- Cross-curricular integration: At school, English might be at 8:30 and history at 9:45, and they have no relation to each other. But at home, a child might be reading Johnny Tremain while studying the American Revolution and writing an essay on taxation (National Governors Association 60).
- Individualization: In school, teachers attempt to “differentiate” instruction, but in a class of 25+, true individualization may be tricky to implement. But at home, a kid who’s a great reader but a struggling writer might be challenged to read Fahrenheit 451 while using a remedial writing program to build basic skills.
- Discussion: At school, students encounter diverse perspectives, but in large classes, it’s difficult for every student to have an opportunity to contribute. At home, the conversation may be narrower but can go much deeper (National Governors Association 49).
- Feedback on writing: Most teachers with multiple ELA classes of 25+ students do well to get writing assignments returned with feedback in a week, maybe two. But at home, the feedback loop can be much quicker (“Feedback Loops” 5).
Topics Covered in 7th Grade Homeschool English/ELA
ELA is a large grab-bag of different yet related ways of engaging with language. Some teaching philosophies separate them out into their individual parts, while others integrate them with each other along with history, science, and fine arts.
Literature
Seventh-grade literature can move away from a focus on plot to explore why those plot points happened. Learners can begin to analyze the motivation of characters, how foreshadowing and irony affect the reader’s experience, and how writers develop major themes.
Exposure to a mix of short stories, novels, poetry, and non-fiction broadens their understanding of how a piece works (National Governors Association 35). While the classics are important, 7th grade ELA also includes work on media literacy by advertising, social media posts, and film adaptations of written works.
Writing
The 7th grade ELA curriculum features a continued emphasis on the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Kids pivot to a focus on persuasive writing and work on writing strong thesis statements with logical support (National Governors Association 42).
Vocabulary
As kids read more complex works, they encounter more challenging vocabulary. Depending on the approach used, some kids may be assessed on new words from vocabulary lists and study Latin prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Others may focus on learning new words in the context of their reading rather than through separate activities (53).
Grammar and mechanics
In addition to continued study of grammar and mechanics, 7th grade requires kids to move from simple sentences to more complex sentence structures. Based on the approach, some kids may diagram sentences while others may work on grammar and punctuation through their own writing (52).
Speaking and listening
Discussions about literature become important in helping kids articulate their ideas and support their claims. Often, oral presentations incorporating visual aids are assigned (49-50).
Main Types of Homeschool English/ELA Curricula for 7th Graders
Every curriculum is a product of the educational philosophy behind it. Two different curriculum options that include all the same topics can still vary greatly based on their approach.
Classical
A classical approach to ELA is about much more than reading books; it’s about developing the tools of critical thinking. Rooted in repeating cycles of world history, kids read books that relate to the time period they are learning about in social studies. The emphasis is on preparing kids to recognize objective truth, reason effectively, and grow in virtue. Reading the “classics” is prioritized as essential for cultural literacy (Bauer and Wise 264).
Traditional or textbook
This approach most closely mirrors the traditional school experience with clear scope and sequence documents, workbooks, and testing. It features textbooks, often anthologies, and explicit grammar instruction and vocabulary lists (Hirsch 12).
Living books
This approach rejects textbooks in favor of high-quality books written by authors who are passionate about their subject matter. Popularized by Charlotte Mason, this kind of curriculum focuses on oral and written narration to demonstrate what a child has learned, copying from authors to learn grammar and spelling, and nature poetry (Mason 171).
Online or video-based
Online or video-based ELA curricula range from full-year, structured programs to short-term courses, tutoring, and targeted supplemental lessons focused on specific skills like writing, grammar, or literary analysis. Some offerings are self-paced, while others are live and instructor-led, allowing for discussion, feedback, and accountability. This approach is often a good fit for families seeking flexibility, outside expertise, or support in specific areas without committing to a single comprehensive curriculum.
Cross-curricular
This interdisciplinary approach weaves ELA into other subject areas. It allows a child to take a deep dive into a specific area of interest. For instance, when studying the Renaissance in history, the child might spend multiple weeks studying Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jacobs 54).
Elements to Look for in a 7th Grade Homeschool English/ELA Curriculum
Choosing a 7th grade homeschool ELA curriculum is about more than just educational philosophy. Once you know which approach you prefer, you also need to judge the options available to make sure they have these elements.
Academic components
Kids at this age can work on analyzing the literature they read for themes, irony, character arcs, and other literary techniques. You can make sure that both print and digital materials are used and that kids are encouraged to work more independently.
Also, 7th grade is often thought of as “the essay year” because many curricula explicitly teach expository and persuasive writing. Grammar components can encourage kids to use complex sentence structures and more advanced punctuation like dashes and semi-colons. If your learner has excelled at spelling in the past, you may drop formal spelling instruction in favor of a focus on vocabulary instead.
Cost
All-in-one premium curriculum packages are an option, but can be costly. However, the cost may be worth it if you don’t have a lot of time for preparation. You can save money by purchasing materials for a modular approach, which might come to a few hundred dollars per year, but since the materials lack the fully scripted lesson plans of complete sets, they require a lot more time. Additional video instruction or online lessons can thread the needle between these options by providing a wide range of options, but doesn’t take up all their time.
For any curriculum you consider, check to see if part of the fee covers online subscriptions for novels or if you need to purchase them separately (National Center for Education Statistics).
Preparation
This element works in tandem with the cost factor. The more work you are willing to do, the less you must pay, and vice versa.
Popular Homeschool English/ELA Curricula for 7th Graders
Gone are the days when the only curriculum materials available were ancient textbooks for reading and loose-leaf paper for writing. Sure, textbooks are still an option, but today there are lots of delivery methods to choose from.
Outschool’s online curricula and classes
Outschool’s online classes provide everything from live online classes that meet four times a week for the entire year to one-on-one tutoring and lots in between. Multi-week deep-dive classes on particular skill areas, like supporting a claim with evidence, are popular.
In addition to these live options, they also offer pre-recorded video lessons that can be accessed on demand.
Traditional textbook
This method is the most familiar because it mimics how kids learn in school. They work through physical books and workbooks, complete writing assignments, and practice grammar and vocabulary drills. It requires no internet connection or screen time and is very portable, but it can feel dry, like busy work. Also, all-in-one boxed sets of this kind of curriculum can be very expensive (Kunzman and Gaither 278).
Modular
Instead of one textbook being the centerpiece of instruction, this method divides the course into modules or unit studies, each with its own curriculum.
For instance, a child reading The Outsiders might use a print workbook for advanced readers from one publisher, a vocabulary text from another, and take an online live class through another. This hybrid approach can be highly customized to a child’s strengths and weaknesses but involves time to curate all of the necessary materials (Wearne 365-366).
Literature-based
Known as the “Living Books” method, this approach drops textbooks altogether in favor of real novels with grammar and writing lessons pulled directly from them. It can foster high engagement since it relies heavily on parent-child discussions about literature and writing, but it does require a great deal of parent involvement.
Digitally automated
In this approach, the entire curriculum, lesson plans, activities, and quizzes happen through a digital platform asynchronously. A benefit of Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE) is that the platform itself grades the assignments submitted in real time for immediate feedback, but it requires a lot of screen time and can lack the in-depth critical thinking found in more literature-heavy programs. Also, the lack of live online interaction in classes makes it a solitary endeavor.
How to Plan or Choose a 7th Grade Homeschool English/ELA Curriculum
Worried that the process of selecting the best homeschool ELA curriculum may be complicated? There are many options out there, but by following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to success.
Step 1: Diagnose readiness
The place to start is with your child. Use the free placement tests available online to see what your child’s reading and writing levels are. And remember, they may be much stronger in one than the other.
You can also look at their writing. Can they identify a claim? Do they know the difference between dependent and independent clauses? If not, they may benefit from working on basic skills before diving into 7th grade material (National Council of Teachers of English, “Position Statement on Writing Assessment”).
Step 2: Identify your educational philosophy
The “what” of 7th grade homeschool ELA instruction is pretty consistent from one curriculum to another. They all cover literature, writing, speaking, vocabulary, etc.
But the “why” differs greatly based on approach. If a primary goal for you is developing your child’s love of reading, then a literature-based curriculum may be the ticket. But if you are more concerned about covering a predictable scope and sequence, then the textbook approach may be what you need.
Step 3: Choose your preferred delivery method
The “how” of the curriculum is the way the content is delivered to the child. Do you prefer to be the primary instructor who leads rich discussions about literature? Or would you prefer a professional educator do the heavy lifting via online classes while you serve as a coach?
Consider each factor in the “elements” section above, and you’ll be sure to make the right choice for you and your child (International Literacy Association, Children’s Rights).
Step 4: Audit for core content
Once you know your philosophical priorities and preferred delivery method, you can make sure any curriculum you consider prioritizes rhetorical mastery. Specifically, it can focus on the “big three” 7th grade writing and thinking skills: citing evidence to support a claim, writing persuasively while anticipating counterclaims, and using more complex sentence structures.
Step 5: Consider your budget
The price of a curriculum isn’t just the dollar amount on the sticker or in the online cart. Check to see if you can reuse student workbooks, especially if you have younger children, and factor in whether you need to purchase all novels or if you can check them out from the library. Also consider the cost of your time. A cheaper curriculum can require a lot more parent hours than more comprehensive options.
What Teaching 7th Grade English/ELA Can Look Like at Home
ELA is usually the most time-consuming subject because it covers so many disciplines within it. But don’t let that intimidate you! With a high-quality curriculum, you’ll make teaching 7th grade English look like a walk in the park. There’s room for flexibility, but these are the common elements.
Timing
You can plan for 60-90 minutes of ELA work each day, including literature, writing, and grammar/vocabulary. Since many homeschool families use a four-day week, consider saving Friday for catch-up time or a creative writing or book club.
Lesson planning
Some parents find it helpful to think in terms of units, not just days, which can help you see the big picture of a whole 3-4 week block.
For example, your child might spend a month reading Where the Red Fern Grows, studying vocabulary words from the book, writing a persuasive essay about the role sacrifice plays in relationships, and learning how to use transitions to make their essay smoother (National Council of Teachers of English, “Resolution”).
Instructional activities
Naturally, your role as a teacher depends on which curricular approach you choose. Regardless of the philosophy and delivery method you select, your goal this year can be to deepen the conversation about literature, both orally and in writing. For example, you can use Socratic dialogue by asking open-ended questions and prompting your child to go deeper by making claims in writing.
Grading
While grading vocabulary and literature may be relatively straightforward, assessing your child’s writing may seem challenging because of its subjectivity. But you can objectify the process by using rubrics to assess final drafts only. A rubric paints a picture of what an outstanding, good, fair, and poor piece looks like and applies those standards to the assignment at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions: 7th Grade Homeschool English/ELA
Still a little nervous about the 7th grade? We’ve got the answers to some of the most common questions from 7th grade parents who’ve been standing exactly where you are right now.
What level of parental involvement is typical for 7th grade English at home?
Certainly, one factor here is the type of curriculum selected. For instance, a “Living Books” approach will require more time than a self-paced digital platform.
But regardless of curriculum, 7th grade parents can move from being the “primary instructor” to serving as more of a coach and editor, so your child develops more independence. During the course of a week, you can expect to spend about 30-60 minutes on preparation, 45-60 minutes discussing literature, and about 60 minutes editing and assessing writing.
How does 7th grade English differ from 6th and 8th grade expectations?
It may be tempting to lump all three grades of middle school together and think of them as one long puberty-propelled year.
There are distinct differences in the academic expectations for each grade.
- Literature: In the 6th grade, kids read more complex books, but the focus was still on understanding the plot. In the 7th grade, though, they get into the “why” behind characters’ actions and the author’s choices. Then in 8th grade, they move that focus deeper into the impact various elements of a book have on the rest of it.
- Writing: Sixth graders may get into persuasive writing by focusing on supporting their personal opinions with facts. In 7th grade, kids are asked to do this with literature and acknowledge opposing viewpoints, and then in 8th grade, they more fully develop the relationship between claims, counterclaims, and evidence.
- Grammar and mechanics: In 6th grade, kids may know the parts of speech but learn more complex types, like subjective, objective, and possessive pronouns. In 7th grade, the focus can be moved to phrases and clauses and how to manipulate them for sentence variety. Then in 8th grade, they may go deeper with this and learn complex grammar. Likewise, punctuation can move from its general use to how to use commas to separate clauses to how to use varied punctuation to create different types of pauses.
- Parents’ role: In the 6th grade, you may still be teaching the lessons and checking their work, but in 7th grade, your role can become more of a co-pilot or coach. By 8th grade, the goal may be for you to have minimal direct involvement and act as a “consultant” instead.
How do I document progress or mastery for homeschool records?
It may be important to assess your child’s work to demonstrate proficiency, and there are several tools that will help you do this. One tool is a portfolio that includes writing assignments demonstrating growth from beginning to end. It can also include copies of annotated texts that show your child’s analytical thought process while reading. Another strategy is to use rubrics like we discussed before with writing.
Ask your child to do a self-assessment using it and then compare that to your assessment. A reading and resource log is also a great way to demonstrate that your child has read a variety of types of literature and produced a variety of products as a result of their study.
The Best ELA Curricula for 7th Graders
Although the 7th grade may not always get the spotlight, it can still be a meaningful and productive year for you and your child. By selecting and implementing a high-quality 7th grade homeschool ELA curriculum, you may set your child up for continued success.
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