A weeklong 7th-grade ENL instructional unit targeting informational text comprehension, academic grammar, multi-syllable word stress, and structured visual analysis with Spanish B1 scaffolds.
(1) This diagram shows a comparison of Earth and Mars. (2) Earth is bigger and warmer than Mars because it has liquid oceans. (3) In conclusion, Earth is the best planet for life.
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Teacher Guide & Answer Key • Lesson 1
Category: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
2 Ash blocked solar rays; _______________, temperatures fell worldwide.
Category: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
3 Regional air travel stopped _______________ dangerous silica dust in the sky.
Category: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
4 _______________ trapped gas expands inside the rock, pressure builds rapidly.
Category: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Page 1 of 2
Cause & Effect Informational Analysis
Volcanoes Unleashed: The Eruption Chain Reaction
Informational Reading
Informational Passage
A volcanic eruption creates a powerful chain reaction. A chain reaction happens when one event causes another event to occur. First, hot melted rock called magma sits deep underground. Because magma is lighter than rock, it rises into underground chambers. Over time, trapped gas creates strong pressure inside the earth. This pressure leads to a violent eruption.
Next, the volcano explodes. Consequently, clouds of dark ash and sulfur gas shoot high into the sky. Strong winds carry this dust around the world. The thick ash blocks sunlight from reaching the ground. As a result, regional temperatures drop quickly. A large eruption can cool the entire planet for months!
Cause & Effect Graphic Analysis
The Cause (Trigger)
Signal Word & Type
The Effect (Result)
1. Magma is lighter than solid rock
Because (Conjunction)
Molten magma rises into underground chambers.
2. Rock crust fractures violently
Consequently (Transition)
Clouds of ash and sulfur dust ___________________________
3. Stratospheric ash blocks sunlight
As a result (Transition)
Regional temperatures ___________________________
Visual Task: 3-Sentence Diagram Description
Grammar & Syntax Rules Applied
1
Subsurface Pressure Trapped gases create magma pressure
2
Explosive Eruption Ash shoots into stratosphere
3
Atmospheric Cooling Sunlight is blocked; temps drop
Grammar-Guided Sentence Frames: Notice punctuation: comma after transitions!
Sentence 1 (Verb Pattern): Underground magma pressure leads to[Noun Phrase: an explosive eruption].
Sujeto + verbo 'leads to' + efecto sustantivo
Sentence 2 (Transition Adverb): The volcano erupts violently; consequently,[Complete Clause: dark ash spreads worldwide].
Usa punto y coma (;) o punto (.) + 'Consequently,' con coma
Sentence 3 (Prepositional Opener):Due to[Noun Phrase: this atmospheric ash cloud], global temperatures drop significantly.
'Due to' + frase sustantiva + coma + oración principal
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Page 2 of 2
(2)
(3)
Scaffolded / Developing Model (B1 L1 Spanish):
(1) Magma pressure underground leads to a violent explosion. (2) Dark ash shoots into the sky; as a result, solar light is blocked. (3) Due to this dark cloud, global temperatures become colder.
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Teacher Guide & Answer Key • Lesson 2
3 Marine biologists ______________________________ (identify) unique adaptations in twilight zone animals.
4 Recent data ______________________________ (show) that deep currents regulate global climate systems.
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Page 1 of 2
Main Idea & Informational Synthesis
Ocean Twilight Zone: The Hidden Heart of the Sea
Informational Reading
Informational Passage
The ocean has a deep, shadowy layer called the twilight zone. It is located 200 to 1,000 meters under the water surface. Almost no sunlight reaches this dim realm. In recent years, modern robotic technologyhas helped scientists explore this deep environment. Marine researchers have discovered millions of strange fish living in the dark. Many of these animals make their own glowing light!
Scientists have learned something very important from their scientific investigation. Every night, tiny sea animals swim up to feed and carry carbon back down to the deep sea. Through this motion, twilight zone creatures have protected Earth's global climate for thousands of years.
Informational Text Analysis: Main Idea & Supporting Evidence
Central Main Idea (What is the primary message of the text?):
Modern robotic technology has helped scientists discover that the ocean twilight zone contains rich sea life and protects Earth's climate.
Key Supporting Detail 1:
Robots have discovered millions of glowing fish in the dim waters.
Key Supporting Detail 2:
Swimming creatures carry carbon deep to protect our climate.
Visual Task: 3-Sentence Infographic Description
Spanish B1 Scaffold
Sunlight Zone 0m – 200m depth Warm water, coral reefs
Twilight Zone 200m – 1,000m depth Robots have found glowing life
Sentence 1: This infographic shows how marine scientists [have explored / have studied] the three ocean depth layers. (Muestra cómo los científicos han explorado...)
Sentence 2: In the twilight zone, advanced submersibles [have discovered] enormous populations of bioluminescent creatures. (Han descubierto enormes poblaciones...)
Sentence 3: Through this technology, researchers [have proved / have shown] that the ocean depths help regulate our climate. (Han demostrado que regula el clima...)
Write your final 3-sentence description below:
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Page 2 of 2
(1) This infographic illustrates how marine scientists have explored the three depth layers of the ocean. (2) In the twilight zone, advanced submersibles have discovered enormous populations of bioluminescent creatures that thrive without sunlight. (3) Through this technology, researchers have proved that twilight zone migrations help stabilize our global climate.
Scaffolded / Developing Model (B1 L1 Spanish):
(1) Scientists have studied the three layers of the deep ocean. (2) Underwater robots have found glowing fish and creatures living in the twilight zone. (3) New research has shown that this ocean zone protects our planet's environment.
Unit 2: Informational Text Structures • ENL Grade 7 Teacher Guide & Answer Key • Lesson 3
