Enroll in English 6 with Dolphin STEM Academy

Course Overview

English is the study of the creation and analysis of literature written in the English language. In
English 6A, you will explore literary elements in both nonfiction and fiction texts. You will
examine point of view in memoirs and practice writing a short memoir. In the latter part of this
course, you will study character in different genres of literature. You will explore the topic of
change in nonfiction texts and evaluate arguments and claims in informational texts. Finally, you
will study the characteristics of persuasive writing and practice writing persuasively.

Course Goals

This course will help you meet these goals:
Examine main idea through the use of informational texts about identity.
Analyze the literary elements of plot structure, character, setting, point of view, conflict, and
theme in fiction.
Explore the characteristics of personal narratives.
Explore point of view in memoirs and practice writing a short memoir.
Study different aspects of character such as types of characters, characterization, and
character development.
Explore the characteristics of autobiographies and how autobiographies document change.
Examine a speech about social change.
Evaluate arguments and claims in informational texts.
Explore the characteristics of persuasive writing and practice writing persuasively.

General Skills

To participate in this course, you should be able to do the following:
Complete basic operations with word processing software, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Complete basic operations with presentation software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or
Google Docs Presentation.
Perform online research using various search engines and library databases.
Communicate through email and participate in discussion boards.

For a complete list of general skills that are required for participation in online courses, refer to
the Prerequisites section of the Plato Student Orientation document, found at the beginning of
this course.

Credit Value

English 6A is a 0.5-credit course.

Course Materials

notebook
pencil or pen
computer with Internet connection and speakers or headphones
Microsoft Word or equivalent
Microsoft PowerPoint or equivalent

Some course readings may require a visit to your school library or public library.

The Course Novel Unit

In Unit 2 of this course, you’ll choose one of the following novels to read.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mary Lennox is born in India to British parents who care little for her. The only attention she gets
is from the servants. This experience has turned Mary into a rude and spoiled girl. After the
death of her parents, Mary is sent to England to live with her uncle. Her uncle has a huge,
strange house that holds many mysteries. Soon, Mary learns about a secret garden on the
property that has been forgotten for many years. As Mary tries to uncover the secrets of the
house and garden, will she also learn something about herself?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This novel is set in a futuristic nation called Panem. Panem’s powerful and ruthless government
has divided its poor, struggling citizens into 13 districts. Each year, it chooses one girl and one
boy from each district to compete in the “Hunger Games.” But these are no ordinary games. The
Hunger Games is a televised event that forces the participants to fight to the death. Only one
child can survive and win food and supplies for his or her district. When 16-year-old Katniss
Everdeen’s younger sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Along with a boy
from her district, Peeta, Katniss enters the Games. Will Katniss come out alive? Or will she be
one of the victims of the Hunger Games?

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
In this thrilling story of survival, growth, and self-acceptance, 13–year-old Brian Robeson is the
only passenger on a small plane headed to Canada, where his father lives. As the flight takes
off, Brian is unaware of the dangers he will soon face. During the flight, the pilot dies of heart
failure, and Brian’s journey quickly turns into a nightmare. First, he must figure out how to land
the plane safely. Then he must work to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness. As he battles
hunger, cold nights, and wild animals, Brian must come to terms with his parents’ recent
divorce. Will Brian overcome these obstacles? Or will he be lost forever?

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
A young Civil War solider named Henry Fleming joins the Union Army, dreaming about the
glories of war. He soon realizes that his dreams are false and that war is extremely harsh.
During a battle, he becomes frightened and runs away. He’s immediately ashamed of his
actions. After meeting some wounded soldiers, he decides to return to battle. Will Henry be able
to become the hero he dreamt of being? Or will his fears defeat him in the end?

Note:

You will be able to read The Secret Garden and The Red Badge of Courage online. Links to these novels are provided in the course novel unit. To read The Hunger Games or Hatchet, you will need to get a copy from your school, a library, or some other source.

Course Pacing Guide

The following course description and pacing guide is intended to help you stay on schedule with
your work. Note that your course instructor may modify the schedule to meet the specific needs
of your class.

Unit 1: How Do We Decide Who We Are?

Summary

This unit focuses on literary elements found in fiction and nonfiction texts. In the opening
lesson, you will examine the main idea in an informational text about identity. Then you
will explore “The Story of the Three Bears” and “The Four Clever Brothers,” as well as “A
Water Melody” by the Brothers Grimm. Through these tales, you will identify the basic plot
elements of a story and learn about plot structure. Next, you will identify character and
setting in the fairy tale “The Frog-Prince.” You will also study point of view in “Briar Rose”
by the Brothers Grimm. Finally, you will explore the characteristics of personal narratives.

Unit 2: How Does Society Shape Who We Are?

Summary

This unit focuses on literary elements in nonfiction and fictional texts. First, you will
explore point of view in the following memoirs: “From Lithuania to the Chicago
Stockyards” by Antanas Kaztauskis and “America and I” by Anzia Yezierska. You will
also practice writing a short memoir. Later, you will analyze the literary elements of
character, setting, point of view, conflict, theme, and plot in one of the following novels:
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Hunger Games by Suzanne
Collins, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, or The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

For further details, see the section The Course Novel Unit above.

Unit 3: How Does a Person Change over Time?

Summary

This unit focuses on the literary element of character across different genres. First, you
will identify the types of characters found in literature by reading the short story “The
Water of Life” by Howard Pyle. Next, you will define and examine methods of
characterization in the short story “The Snow-Image: A Childish Miracle” by Nathaniel
Hawthorne. You will explore character development in drama through Alice
Gerstenberg’s play Alice in Wonderland. In the same play, you will also explore how plot
affects characters.

Unit 4: How Does a Society Change over Time?

Summary

This unit focuses exclusively on nonfiction texts. In the first lesson, you will read Helen
Keller’s autobiography The Story of My Life to explore the characteristics of
autobiographies and how autobiographies document change. In the next lesson, you will
examine Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech. Then you will
evaluate arguments and claims in informational texts. Finally, you will explore the
characteristics of persuasive writing and practice writing persuasively.