Belonging Essay Planning Worksheet
IEP Scaffolds Grade 7 ELA • Unit 1: Community & Belonging
1 Prompt › 2 Discuss › 3 Evidence › 4 Thesis › 5 Outline › 6 Draft
Name:
Class:
Date:
1 Breaking Down the Essay Prompt
Your Goal: Learn key terms, understand the 3 parts of the essay prompt, and restate the question.
Standard W.7.2
Essential Vocabulary Word Bank Use these in your writing
Community
A group sharing history, space, or values.
Shared Story
"Identity-forming narrative" that defines who we are.
Outsider
A stranger viewed as not belonging to the group.
Belonging
Feeling accepted and recognized by the group.
The Culminating Prompt Broken Into 3 Chunks
1. The Theory
Toby Lowe: A community is united by a shared identity story.
2. The Story
"The War of the Wall": Explain how the community views the painter lady.
3. Evidence
Must cite quotes from BOTH texts in your essay.
Step A: Checklist — What must your essay contain? (Check all 3):
1. Explain Toby Lowe's idea about a "shared story" (identity-forming narrative). 2. Explain how the neighbors view the painter lady at first vs. after seeing the mural. 3. Quote textual evidence from both assigned texts.
Step B: Translate Lowe's Quote Into Your Own Words: Sentence Frame
Toby Lowe argues: "A community is a group of people who share an identity-forming narrative."
In my own words, Toby Lowe means that a community is united because all the members share
Step C: Visual Timeline — The Community's View Turn & Talk with a partner
AT FIRST (Conflict):
They viewed her as:
IN THE END (Unity):
They realized she:
Checkpoint 1: Confirm with your teacher that you understand the 3 essay goals.
Teacher Initials:
IEP Scaffolds Grade 7 ELA • Unit 1: Community & Belonging
✓ 1 › 2 Discuss › 3 Evidence › 4 Thesis › 5 Outline › 6 Draft
2 Discussing & Connecting Ideas
Partner & Group Talk
Directions: Discuss the three questions below. Use the word bank categories and sentence frames to record your ideas.
Idea & Discussion Word Bank Pick words to fill your frames below
People & Places
Taliaferro Street painter lady Lou & narrator Jimmy Lyons
Initial Feelings
defensive outsider territorial misunderstood
Final View & Values
memorial shared respect pride belonging
A
How does the community's shared story inform their view at first?
Clue: The wall holds their memories (pitching pennies, sitting in the shade).
Sentence Frame: At first, the neighborhood views the painter lady as an outsider because the wall belongs to their history of
B
What identity-forming narrative do the community and the painter lady share?
Clue: Who was Jimmy Lyons, and who are the civil rights leaders on the wall?
Sentence Frame: They actually share the same story because both the community and the painter lady honor
and they both feel deeply connected to
C
Overall, how does the community end up viewing the painter lady? Why?
Clue: How do Lou and the narrator react when they read the dedication?
Sentence Frame: By the end, the community realizes she belongs with them because the mural proves she
Checkpoint 2: Show your discussion notes to your teacher or peer before finding evidence.
Teacher Initials:
IEP Scaffolds Grade 7 ELA • Unit 1: Community & Belonging
✓ 1 › ✓ 2 › 3 Evidence › 4 Thesis › 5 Outline › 6 Draft
3 Evidence Hunter: Selecting Quotes
Evidence Bank
Directions: Circle the strongest quote from each text, then complete the explanation frames using the analytical word bank.
Evidence Analysis Word Bank (Use in your explanations)
shows that proves that reveals that illustrates demonstrates highlights the idea that
Text 1: "The War of the Wall" by Toni Cade Bambara
Short Story
Quote A (At First) Par. 1
"It was our wall, and she had no right coming into our neighborhood painting on it... We’ve been pitching pennies against that wall since we were little kids."
Shows: Territorial / Outsider
Quote B (In the End) Par. 33
"To the People of Taliaferro Street I Dedicate This Wall of Respect Painted in Memory of My Cousin Jimmy Lyons."
Shows: Shared Tribute / Respect
My Selection: Circle one: [ Quote A ] or [ Quote B ]
This evidence proves that the neighborhood felt
Text 2: "What is 'community' and why is it important?" by Toby Lowe
Article
Quote X (Pride & Hurt) Par. 2
"It must explain the feeling of pride or hurt we feel when a community of which we are part is praised or attacked."
Shows: Protective emotions
Quote Y (Shared Story) Par. 9
"Community is a group of people who share a story that is so important to them that it defines an aspect of who they are."
Shows: Identity-forming narrative
My Selection: Circle one: [ Quote X ] or [ Quote Y ]
This connects to the story because Toby Lowe explains that
Checkpoint 3: Confirm with your teacher that you have chosen 1 quote from each text.
Teacher Initials:
IEP Scaffolds Grade 7 ELA • Unit 1: Community & Belonging
✓ 1 › ✓ 2 › ✓ 3 › 4 Thesis › 5 Outline › 6 Draft
4 Drafting Your Thesis Statement
Essay Roadmap
What is a Thesis? A 1-2 sentence claim that states your central argument and answers the whole prompt.
The 3-Part Thesis Puzzle Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3 = Strong Thesis
Part 1: Text & Initial Conflict In "War of the Wall," the neighbors see the painter lady as an outsider.
Part 2: The Turning Point However, when she dedicates the mural to Jimmy Lyons...
Part 3: Lowe's Connection ...they realize they share the same identity-forming narrative.
Thesis Connecting Words Bank Use to link your ideas smoothly
although initially however once they realize shares their story proves belonging
Model Exemplar Thesis Statement:
"In Toni Cade Bambara's 'The War of the Wall,' the community at first rejects the painter lady as an outsider, but when they see her mural honoring Jimmy Lyons, they realize she shares their identity-forming narrative."
Option A: Fill-in-the-Blank Thesis Frame (Guided)
In Toni Cade Bambara's "The War of the Wall," the Taliaferro Street community initially treats the painter lady as an [ outsider / intruder ] because they want to protect their wall; however, when they discover her mural dedicated to , they realize they share the same [ identity-forming narrative / shared values ].
Option B: Write Your Final Clean Thesis Draft
Self-Check: Does your thesis have all 3 parts?
Mentions story & painter lady Shows how view changes Includes "shared story / narrative"
Checkpoint 4: Get your thesis approved before filling out your essay outline.
Teacher Initials:
IEP Scaffolds Grade 7 ELA • Unit 1: Community & Belonging
✓ 1 › ✓ 2 › ✓ 3 › ✓ 4 › 5 Outline › 6 Draft
5 Guided Essay Outline Map
4-Paragraph Plan
Directions: Use your notes from Pages 1–4 to fill out the 4 paragraphs of your essay outline.
Essay Transition Word Bank (Use to connect your paragraphs)
In the beginning, ... For example, ... In addition, ... However, ... According to Lowe, ... This demonstrates ... Consequently, ... Ultimately, ...
1 Paragraph 1: Introduction & Thesis Statement Copy from Page 4
2 Paragraph 2: Initial Conflict (Viewed as Outsider) Evidence: War of the Wall (Par. 1)
Claim: At first, the neighborhood views the painter lady as an outsider invading their wall.
Connection to Lowe: This shows Toby Lowe's idea that communities protect their shared story because
3 Paragraph 3: The Turning Point (Shared Belonging) Evidence: Dedication to Jimmy Lyons
Claim: When they see the mural dedicated to Jimmy Lyons, they realize she belongs to their narrative.
Connection to Lowe: This matches Lowe's concept because both the painter lady and community share
4 Paragraph 4: Conclusion (Big Takeaway) Wrap-Up
In conclusion, both texts prove that a true community is created when people share
Final Checkpoint & IEP Accommodations Record
Outline Approved!
Oral Rehearsal Completed Speech-to-Text / Scribe Used Extended Pacing Provided
IEP Scaffolds Grade 7 ELA • Unit 1: Community & Belonging
✓ 1 › ✓ 2 › ✓ 3 › ✓ 4 › ✓ 5 › 6 Draft
6 Final Essay Draft
Title:
Essay Word Bank Include key terms in your draft
identity-forming narrative outsider Taliaferro Street Jimmy Lyons Wall of Respect protective pride belonging
Self-Check
Indent 4 ¶s 2 text quotes "Shared story" Capitals & .
1 Paragraph 1: Introduction & Thesis Statement Hook + state thesis claim
Starters: "In Toni Cade Bambara's 'The War of the Wall'..." • "Toby Lowe explains that community is..." • "Although initially seen as an outsider, she..."
2 Paragraph 2: Initial Conflict (Viewed as Outsider) War of the Wall Quote + Lowe Link
Starters: "At first, the neighborhood feels protective because..." • "The narrator says, '[quote]'..." • "This shows Lowe's idea that communities..."
3 Paragraph 3: Turning Point & Shared Belonging Dedication Quote + Shared Narrative
Starters: "However, their view transforms when the dedication reads..." • "This proves both the painter lady and community share..."
4 Paragraph 4: Conclusion & Big Takeaway Synthesize & final takeaway
Starters: "In conclusion, both texts demonstrate that..." • "Ultimately, the painter lady belongs because the mural honors..."
Teacher Evaluative Rubric (Standard W.7.2)
Final Score: / 16 pts
1. Thesis & Claim
All prompt parts
1 2 3 4
2. Text Evidence
Both texts quoted
1 2 3 4
3. Lowe Link
"Shared story" link
1 2 3 4
4. Conventions
Transitions & grammar
1 2 3 4
