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American Literature & Composition: Semester 1 (High School Homeschool English)
Valerie Stone, BA
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(95)
During this 15-week, high school English course, students will critically analyze and respond to various genres of literature from the Pre-Civil War period to the Modern Period, as well as develop and support arguments in an essay.
Class experience
US Grade 9 - 12
𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: This is an early/intermediate level English course that covers a variety of classic American literature. Students in 8th-12th grade have successfully completed this course, as each student's level of proficiency is different. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: This class will touch upon various pieces of American literature from Pre-Civil War Period to the Modern Period. The 2nd semester will continue the Modern Period to the Contemporary Period. During 1st semester,...
3 units//15 lessons//15 Weeks
Unit 1𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 / Realism / Romanticism𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 / Realism / Romanticism6 lessons6 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1American Realism & Romanticism, Topic Sentences, and Basic Paragraph Outline<<Anchor Text - Huck Finn / Supplemental Texts 1-8>> -Introduce American Realism & Romanticism -Discuss classroom and homework expectations -Review basic sentence and grammar expectations -Review a basic paragraph outline & how to write a topic sentence -Complete an overview of literary time periods -Analyze and synthesize short texts from 2 time periods. Homework: Read a short text, answer questions, and complete an extended writing responseWeek 2Lesson 2Historical Context of America in the 1880's and Paragraph Elements-Review the historical context of America in the 1880’s -Review the biography of Mark Twain -Explore the differing vernacular speech within the novel -Discuss satire and irony and how those elements connect to the novel -Complete a character preview -Discuss elements of a paragraph, and complete realism response writing Homework: Read chapters 1-10 and complete question/answer responses, as well as questions regarding grammar concepts discussed in class.Week 3Lesson 3Novel Exploration, Comma Usage, and Closing Sentences-Discuss point of view and determine the type of narrator in the novel -Find satire within the novel -Reinforce some comma usage rules -Discuss character connections in relationship to internal/external conflict -Review how paragraph closing sentences -Complete response writing Homework: Read chapters 11-20 and complete question/answer responses, as well as questions regarding grammar concepts discussed in class.Week 4Lesson 4Novel Themes, Compare & Contrast, and Comma Usage-Discuss themes that are present in the novel -Read an excerpt from the text and identify the theme presented -Compare and Contrast 2 characters in the novel. -Consider how Mark Twain’s writing adds to the discussion about these important issues -Reinforce more comma usage rules -Analyze the text and complete response writing regarding superstitions Homework: Read chapters 21-30 and complete question/answer responses, as well as questions regarding grammar concepts discussed in class.Week 5Lesson 5Novel Exploration, Persuasive Writing, and Elements of an Essay Introduction-Review elements of an essay introduction -Discuss the concept of “appearance vs. reality” in the novel and locate examples -Ascertain how Huck’s fear of being “sivilized” shapes his character and directs his actions -Determine the underlying motivation for incidents of deception -Write a persuasive paragraph about deception -Complete sentence edits Homework: Read chapters 31-43 and complete question/answer responses, as well as questions regarding grammar concepts discussed in class.Week 6Lesson 6Character Growth, Themes, and Elements of Essay Body Paragraphs and Conclusion-Discuss how Huck’s character changes throughout the novel -Review several themes within the novel -Review the characteristics of a 5 paragraph theme essay -Discuss essay body paragraphs and the conclusion -Review MLA format and essay rubric Homework: Complete a 5 paragraph theme or literary element essay regarding 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘯. An essay organizer will be provided to assist learners with the format and details.Unit 2𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 / 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Naturalism𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 / 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Naturalism5 lessons5 WeeksWeek 7Lesson 7Naturalism, Poetry Analysis, and Synthesizing Information<<Anchor Text - Red Badge / Supplemental Texts 9-16 Below>> -Discuss romanticism vs. realism vs. naturalism -Analyze and synthesize short texts from 2 time periods. -Discuss literary elements, rhyming patterns, and writing styles in poetry -Introduce and analyze poetry by Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson Homework: Choose a poem, analyze literary elements, and write a paragraph response.Week 8Lesson 8Impressionism, Novel Introduction, Prepositional Phrases, and In-text Citations-Complete jigsaw learning regarding the time period -Discuss impressionism -Discuss inner strengths/weaknesses + a time of testing -Write an inner monologue for a character in a tenuous situation -Introduce the author, main characters, and setting of the novel -Discuss the point of view within the novel -Identify prepositional phrases -Introduce in-text citations and complete practical examples Homework: Read chapters 1-7, complete question/answer responses, and complete impressionism chartWeek 9Lesson 9Literary Devices, Character Types, Literary Present Tense, and Semicolons-Introduce personification, similes, and metaphors ~ find examples in the text -Discuss character types and find examples of each in the text -Introduce writing in the literary present tense -Complete response writing using the literary present tense -Reinforce the usage of semicolons and complete practical examples Homework: Read chapters 8-14, complete question/answer responses, and complete grammar corrections.Week 10Lesson 10Color Psychology and Impressionism, Commas, Semicolons, and Conjunctive Adverbs-Delve into color psychology & impressionism in artwork and literature -Find color examples within the reading and discuss what the colors represent -Reinforce commas, semicolons, conjunctive adverbs, and how to join clauses -Complete sentence edits -Complete the Tattered Man response writing using various phrases & clauses Homework: Read chapters 19-23, complete question/answer responses, and complete grammar corrections.Week 11Lesson 11Joining Clauses, Characterization, and Overarching Thesis Statements-Review other ways to join clauses -Discuss characterization and context clues -Discover how to write an overarching thesis statements -Review the character analysis essay format/style -Brainstorm ideas and quick-write a working thesis and topic sentences -Review essay prompt and rubric Homework: Complete a 5 paragraph character analysis essay regarding 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦. An essay organizer will be provided to assist learners with the format and details.Unit 3𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 / 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴gle / Disillusionment𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 / 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴gle / Disillusionment4 lessons4 WeeksWeek 12Lesson 12Historical Context of the Jazz Age, Narrator, Motif, Colons, and Formal Writing<<Anchor Text - Gatsby / Supplemental Texts 17-18 Below>> -Review the historical context of the Jazz Age and the era of extravagance -Introduce the author -Discuss omniscient vs first-person narrator -Preview characters and geographical motif -Discuss the middle and lower class in the 1920s -Introduce colons and complete practical sentence edits -Discuss formal (academic) writing rules Homework: Read chapters 1-3, complete question/answer responses, and complete grammar corrections.Week 13Lesson 13Mood, Symbols, MLA Rules, Absolute Phrases, Run-on Sentences, and Comma Splices-Review absolute phrases, fragments, run-ons, and comma splices + complete sentence edits -Discover how authors create a mood -Discuss recurring symbols and motifs -Locate a motif from the text -Compare and contrast two main characters -Reinforce MLA format and introduce MLA titles Homework: Read chapters 4-6, complete question/answer responses, and complete grammar corrections.Week 14Lesson 14Novel Exploration, Active vs. Passing Voice, Objective Tone, Persuasive Writing-Discover the paradox within the novel -Follow the main motif & complete response writing -Discuss direct and indirect characterization -Introduce active vs. passive writing and redundant writing -Review elements of persuasive writing, as well as writing with a formal & objective tone -Write a persuasive structured paragraph Homework: Read chapters 7-9, complete question/answer responses, and complete grammar corrections.Week 15Lesson 15Citations, Plagiarism, Phrases, Themes, Narrative Hooks, and Motif-Continue discussing motif -Identify particle, gerund, and infinitive phrases -Delve into underlying ideas in the text -Review two types of thesis statements -Review essay topic ideas and synthesizing information. -Introduce narrative hooks -Reinforce source citation & plagiarism -Review essay prompt & rubric Homework: Complete a 5 paragraph literary analysis essay regarding 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘣𝘺. An essay organizer will be provided to assist learners with the format and details
During this semester, this course will reinforce critical analysis of text, synthesize ideas, understand and locate literary devices, determine how time periods influence writers, complete active reading questions and answers, use creative thinking and writing, develop supportive arguments, reinforce conventions of grammar and language usage, write short responses (paragraph), and write three 5 paragraph essays.
𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 I am a home educator with over 16 years of teaching experience with ages preschool to 12th grade. I have a proven track record of success in teaching writing to students of all ages and abilities, and I am passionate about helping learners develop their writing skills because I was a learner who found it difficult to understand the writing process. Specifically, I have taught multiple years of Middle School and High School English, including composition, literature, and grammar. Currently, I teach an intermediate and an advanced high school level composition/literature course at our area homeschool cooperative. I believe that even the most reluctant writers can be unlocked with the right guidance and prompting. I have a college junior on the autism spectrum, a college sophomore with ADHD, and a gifted 10th grader. Teaching to varying learners has given me the unique insight of how to teach children, at various levels, to express themselves. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 -Successfully developed and implemented my own writing curriculum for middle and high school students -Instructed students regarding a variety of literary genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, and drama -Helped students develop critical thinking and writing skills through close reading, analysis, and discussion -Worked with students on a 1:1 basis, as well as in a classroom setting, to help them overcome specific writing challenges, such as grammar errors, punctuation issues, and difficulty organzing their thoughts -Provided feedback on student work and offered guidance on how to improve writing & critical thinking skills -Mentored other home educators implement strategies to help struggling writers, as well as provided them with resources and support 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗻 My teaching approach for Huck Finn is to discuss how/why Mark Twain chose to write the novel in the way that he did. Further, we will discuss his use of satire to expose the flaws of society. There is a book option that omits offensive words, and offensive words will not be used in class or on any presentation materials. The main goal is to understand the book in the context of its time period, and how it adds to the discussion of various issues Mark Twain is exposing. I have successfully taught this material in class and online for 5 years.
Homework Offered
Weekly reading and response writing are required for students requesting a grade. The response writing is mostly in the form of question-and-answer. Response homework will be graded and marked with full credit if thoughtful answers are provided. After completing each novel, students will write a full essay. Writing organizers and rubrics will be provided in advance. Essays will be graded according to the provided rubric. In addition, students who participate via verbal response or Nearpod answers will receive credit for class participation. Modified essay assignments are available upon request.2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Each learner will receive full credit for weekly homework if thoughtful answers are provided. Five paragraph essays will be graded according to the rubric. Class participation is worth 20 points per class, weekly assignments are worth 100 points, and essays are worth 250 points. Students can receive a completion report or a report including all grades. All students requesting a grade, who thoughtfully respond according to the requirements, should be able to obtain a high grade, as I give students the opportunity to resubmit homework or essays to achieve a higher score. Note: I prefer to challenge beyond each student's level; therefore, one student's "A" may not look the same as the next. The overall goal is for the student to show overall improvement as the year progresses. I offer modified assignments upon request.Grades Offered
<<𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗦>> 1. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘯 by Mark Twain ISBN-13: 978-0486280615 ISBN-10: 9780486280615 ISBN-13: 978-1603062350 (OMITS offensive words) FREE Project Gutenberg Public Domain: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/76/76-h/76-h.htm FREE Adobe hosted: https://contentserver.adobe.com/store/books/HuckFinn.pdf *there are multiple versions of this book that are suitable ~ I prefer the E-Text version by A Glassbook Classic (hosted by Adobe) 2. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 by Stephen Crane ISBN: 978-1613831847 ISBN-10: 0451531809 ISBN-13: 978-0451531803 ISBN-10: 1675993947 ISBN-13: 978-1675993941 FREE Project Gutenberg Public Domain: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/73/73-h/73-h.htm *there are multiple versions of this book that are suitable ~ I have the Signet Classic version with a flag on the front, but I will also utilize the Project Gutenberg E-Text* 3. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘣𝘺 by F. Scott Fitzgerald ISBN: 9780743273565 / 978-0743273565 FREE Project Gutenberg Public Domain: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/64317/64317-h/64317-h.htm *I have the Scribner version, but I will also utilize the Project Gutenberg E-Text*
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Please review the reading list to ensure suitability for your learner. There are various concepts in the novels that may be sensitive, such as racism/slavery, violence, war, classism, and more. Please review the selections for Huck Finn, as one offering of the text is a version that omits offensive words. All ages and abilities are welcome in this course. However, please be advised that some learners will need parental support.
We may utilize off site documents, photos, or quick videos to explore related concepts.
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(95)
About Me My husband and I live near Cincinnati, Ohio with our three children: a college junior son, a college sophomore son, and a ninth-grade daughter. I have been homeschooling our children for 16 years. We enjoy spending time together as a...
Group Class
$250
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 94 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
4-14 learners per class
