Enroll in English 7 with Dolphin STEM Academy

Course Overview

English is the study of the creation and analysis of literature written in the English language. In
English 7B, you will analyze the literary elements of point of view and conflict in literature. You
will study the features and techniques of persuasive writing. You will evaluate the use of the
literary element of conflict in informational texts. In addition, you will learn about the main
characteristics of public speaking and deliver a persuasive speech. In the latter part of this
course, you will investigate the topic of identity in literature. In the final unit, you will read novels
and explore various literary elements.

Course Goals

This course will help you meet these goals:
Analyze point of view, conflict, theme, setting, and plot in literature.
Determine the primary features of persuasive writing.
Develop skills for writing persuasively.
Explore the element of conflict in informational texts.
Investigate the elements and purpose of public speaking.
Identify and implement elements of speechwriting.
Explore the topic of identity in literature.
Develop research skills needed for writing academic papers.
Trace the development of characters in a novel.
Develop the skills necessary to draft a cohesive research paper.

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 7B 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 4 of this course, you’ll choose one of the following novels to read.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
This story of self-discovery, bravery, and brotherhood revolves around a small, furry-toed hobbit
named Bilbo Baggins. One day, Bilbo is visited by the great wizard Gandalf, who asks for his
help to reclaim a treasure. Soon Bilbo is in the midst of a thrilling and adventurous journey with
12 dwarves. The group faces a number of enemies, ranging from trolls to goblins. But their
greatest opponent is a powerful dragon named Smaug who guards the treasure they seek. Will
they survive Smaug’s wrath and reclaim what is rightfully theirs?

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
This story features a battle of endurance between an experienced old fisherman and the biggest
fish he has ever seen. When the story begins, the old man, Santiago, has failed to catch a
single fish for 84 days. To change his luck, he decides to go deep into the Gulf Stream. On his
very first day in the deep waters, Santiago manages to hook a big fish. But the fish is strong and
resists every attempt to be reeled in. Santiago knows that he must exhaust the fish before he
himself loses his will to defeat it. Will Santiago be successful? Or will his bad luck get the better
of him?

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
In this adventure through time and space, 13-year-old Meg Murry is an oddball at school who
struggles with her self-image. After a surprise visit from a peculiar woman named Mrs. Whatsit,
Meg embarks on a journey through dimensions and space in search of her missing father. She
is joined by her younger brother, Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin O’ Keefe. With some
help from three mysterious beings named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, Meg and
the boys land on the alien planet Camazotz. There they encounter an evil force called IT that
has captured Mr. Murry. Will Meg and her friends succeed in rescuing her father and bringing
him back home safely?

Note:

To read The Hobbit, The Old Man and the Sea, or a Wrinkle in Time,
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: What Can Literature Teach Us about Conflict?

Summary

This unit focuses on the elements of narrative point of view and conflict in literature. You
will evaluate narrative point of view in Yei Theodora Ozaki’s short story “The Story of the
Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Flower.” You will explore elements of internal
conflict in the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost and the short story “The Moustache” by
Robert Cormier. You will investigate characteristics of external conflict in Jack London’s
short story “To Build a Fire.” You will also determine the primary features of public
speaking. At the end of the unit, you will develop skills for writing persuasively.

Unit 2: How Can We Positively Influence a Conflict?

Summary

This unit focuses on nonfictional texts. You will consider various viewpoints of a conflict
presented in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Pearl Harbor Speech.” You will examine how writers
reflect on conflict in “Conference with General De Witt,” “Executive Order of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt,” and the “Presidential Letter of Apology.” You will investigate the
elements and purpose of public speaking in Winston Churchill’s speech “Blood, Toil, ears,
and Sweat.” Finally, you will identify and implement elements of speechwriting.

Unit 3: Does Our Search for Identity Ever End?

Summary

This unit explores the topic of identity in literature. You will examine the theme of identity
in the short stories “Little Red Riding Hood” and Ambrose Bierce’s “A Horseman in the
Sky.” You will explore how the topic of place can influence the discussion of identity in the
poems “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, “Places” by Sara Teasdale, and “Chicago”
by Carl Sandburg. You will evaluate how the topic of heritage can influence the discussion
of identity in the poem “The Twelfth Song of Thunder” and Julia Alvarez’s narrative
nonfiction piece “Names/Nombres.” You will develop the research skills needed for writing
academic papers.

Unit 4: Is It the Achievement or the Journey that Defines Us?

Summary

This unit focuses on character development in novels. You will read and analyze literary
elements of one of the following novels: J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Ernest
Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, or Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. You
will develop the skills necessary to craft a cohesive academic paper.

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