1

7th Grade Literature - The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Overview

Name:____________________________ Class:____________

Reading Quiz and Test Schedule_________________________

Chapters 1-5 Quiz
Chapters 6-10 Quiz
Chapters 11-15 Quiz
Chapters 1-10 Test
Chapter 16-21 Quiz
Chapters 1-21 Test
Monday, October 29
Monday, November 5
Monday, November 12
Tuesday, November 13
Monday, November 19
Tuesday, November 27

Reading Guide Check Schedule_________________________

Chapters 1-10 Check Tuesday, November 13 (quiz grade - completion)
Chapters 11-21 Check Tuesday, November 27 (quiz grade - completion)

Project Schedule______________________________________
Inquiry Project Due Friday, Oct. 26 & Monday, Oct. 29 (1 quiz grade, 1 test grade)
Multimodal Project Due Monday, December 10 (3 quiz grades, 1 test grade)

Rationale____________________________________________
The purpose of this unit is to fulfill the following Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
and Literacy:
● RL 7.1-7.10 (reading, comprehension, analysis, and evaluation of literary texts);
● W 7.1, 7.4-7.10 (writing supported arguments, completing short-term research);
● SL 7.1, 7.5 (engaging in various types of discussion and incorporating multimedia elements into
presentations);
● L 7.1-7.6 (grade-level-appropriate acquisition and usage of standard American English)

Additionally, the teacher designs this project to encourage both reading for enjoyment and reading with
discernment.
 2

7th Grade Literature - The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Inquiry Project

Purpose____________________________________________
● Activate prior knowledge of the novel’s setting (17th century New England)
● Identify and fill gaps of knowledge (self-motivated inquiry and discovery)
● Understand how a knowledge of setting leads to better comprehension and enjoyment of a text

Process____________________________________________
1. Use Chromebook in class Monday-Friday to search for information about the five sections of the “I
think I know, Now I know, How I know” handout
2. Use Chromebook in class (or computer at home) to craft a 3-5 paragraph reflection on the week’s
work (“I think I know…” handout must be completed before reflective paragraph can be
written) **don’t forget about the extra credit opportunity for this TEST GRADE**

Product____________________________________________
1. “I think I know, Now I know, How I know” Handout - Due Friday, October 26 - (quiz grade)
a. Transportation
b. Clothing or Government
c. Family Life or Weaponry
d. Historical Events
e. Religion
f. Turn in the completed packet on Friday
2. Reflective Essay - 3-5 paragraphs - Due before class on Monday, October 29 - (test grade)
a. What did I learn? (anything interesting or surprising?)
b. What did my process look like? (how did I spend my time in class? did I do any work at
home? what was the most useful tool I used? least useful?)
c. If I were a teacher and gave this assignment, how would I make it better?
d. Email to or share with jonwhite@northwoodacademy.com
 3

7th Grade Literature - The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Inquiry Project

“I Think I Know, Now I Know, How I Know” Handout (Tik Nik Hik)

Directions - use the spaces below to record what you already know (before starting research), then what
you learn from your research (use wikipedia, Google, history.com, scdiscus.org, etc.), and finally where
your information came from.

Topic - Life in the late 1600s in New England

Subtopic 1 - Transportation
I think I know:

Now I know:

How I know:

Topic - Life in the late 1600s in New England

 4

Subtopic 2 - Clothing or Government

I think I know:

Now I know:

How I know:

Topic - Life in the late 1600s in New England

 5

Subtopic 3 - Family Life or Weaponry

I think I know:

Now I know:

How I know:

Topic - Life in the late 1600s in New England

 6

Subtopic 4 - Historical Events

I think I know:

Now I know:

How I know:

Topic - Life in the late 1600s in New England

 7

Subtopic 5 - Religion
I think I know:

Now I know:

How I know:
 8

7th Grade Literature - The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Inquiry Project

Rubric for Reflective Essay

Exceeds Meets Approaches Developing

Expectations Expectations Expectations
4 3 2 1

Structure - Topic
Sentences, Supporting
Details, Explanations,
Summary Sentences

Content - All three

questions answered
thoughtfully and
completely

Mechanics -
Spelling, punctuation,
and Style

Format - MLA
format (2x spaced, 1”
margins, header,
heading, title

Total Points

Score

16 pts = 100 11 pts = 68.75 6 pts = 37.5

15 pts = 93.75 10 pts = 62.5 5 pts = 31.25
14 pts = 87.5 9 pts = 56.25 4 pts = 25
13 pts = 81.25 8 pts = 50 3 pts = 18.75
12 pts = 75 7 pts = 43.75 2 pts = 12.5

+10 points if you have a parent/grandparent/guardian write me

a note or email me that they have (1) read your reflective essay and
(2) asked you any questions or made any comments they wanted to!