7th Grade · Argument · 4 units
English Language Arts 7
Week 1 is free. Tap Week 1. The reading and the problems are on that lesson. Weeks 2–36 open with a Life Academy plan ($35/month per student or $69/month per family (up to 4 students)).
Unit 1: Foundations
Weeks 1–9Week 1Argument claim plus evidence; Beowulf public-domain cold openWeek 2Argument: should humans “manage” ecosystems? (evidence from walk)Week 3Informational text on feudalism; paraphrase + vocabWeek 4Short argument: chivalry — moral code or PR for knights?Week 5Ethos, pathos, logos in a medieval textWeek 6Research question seed for medieval/world moduleWeek 7Informational plus primary: House of Wisdom excerptWeek 8Comparative paragraph: medieval Europe ↔ West African kingdom governanceWeek 9Argument essay: human role in an ecosystem or a medieval claim
Unit 2: Building fluency
Weeks 10–18Week 10Research mini open: Earth science OR medieval technology questionWeek 11Note-taking for research; source credibility checklistWeek 12Primary-source close read: Marco Polo travel excerptWeek 13Research outline; thesis candidateWeek 14Draft research mini-paper (2–3 pages) with 3+ sourcesWeek 15Revision workshop: claim clarity, quote integration, counterclaimWeek 16Publish research mini; 3-minute source defenseWeek 17Speech craft: hook, claim, 3 points, closeWeek 18Deliver 2–3 min speech; peer rubric
Unit 3: Depth & application
Weeks 19–27Week 19Debate format intro; constructive vs rebuttalWeek 20Primary source: Columbus letter or an indigenous encounter accountWeek 21Classroom debate on a coach-approved prompt (tech or history)Week 22Printing press: did print unite Europe or split it?Week 23Close read: Galileo letter or Bacon on idolsWeek 24Persuasive speech #2 with one data/probability appealWeek 25Shakespeare Sonnet 18 (public domain) — image and voltaWeek 26Locke or Hobbes: a short excerpt on the state of natureWeek 27Process writing: engineering report (CER + constraints)
Unit 4: Mastery & showcase
Weeks 28–36Week 28Portfolio curation begins; growth essay seedWeek 29Student-led seminar on year text cluster (3 sources)Week 30Revise 2 best writing pieces to publish standardWeek 31Expository: “What is algebra for?” one-pagerWeek 32Public speech OR recorded civic talk (3–4 min) on “why government”Week 33Full portfolio rehearsal with timerWeek 34Final writing polish; citation checkWeek 35Socratic warm defenseWeek 36Portfolio + Socratic defense (family panel)