Students will improve their critical thinking, literary analysis, and writing skills.

I have a BA in literature and a Master's in literature; while I didn't have a specific focus on American Lit., both of my senior thesis papers as well as many of my graduate papers focused on American Literature.  I taught high school English for 16 years, during which I taught American Lit every year.  Since then, I have been developing curriculum for high school English for the past 8 years while I have been homeschooling my own kids.  In my work developing curriculum, I have done extensive research into finding lesser-known and more diverse American texts.  In particular, I have spent many hours reading texts from the Harlem Renaissance, contemporary Native American writers, and writers on the contemporary immigrant experience in a search for poetry, short stories, and essays that are accessible for teens yet also challenging.  

Homework Offered
Reading assignment, close reading questions, and informal writing assignment (usually a reaction to the reading) will be posted in the classroom one week before class.  Homework will start off light and build as the class continues, but students should expect to spend 1-3 hours on homework depending on their reading speed.  Besides the primary texts listed below, students will explore engaging contemporary nonfiction articles, videos, and TED Talks when applicable.

Homework will be due the day before class so that I can check it for understanding and to see if there are any issues to address in class.

Homework is required for the class as we will spend the bulk of class time discussing and building on the work done outside of class.
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Assessments are optional for all students.

Expectations for the honors track and the standard track will be offered before the class begins for students who would like to receive a grade for the course. The honors track will require students two complete three literary analysis essay essays as well as at least two creative writing assignments while a standard track will have the option to write a literary analysis essay or a creative project for each of the four main assignments. 

All grading will be done with rubrics which will also be shared with students ahead of time so that they are clear on the expectations of the course.
Grades Offered
All grading will be done with rubrics which will also be shared with students ahead of time so that they are clear on the expectations of the course.

Grades will be offered on request.

“Let American be America” by Langston Hughes;  “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus; “Prospective Immigrants Please Note” by Adrienne Rich; “I, Too” by Langston Hughes; “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman; “A Supermarket in California” by Allen Ginsberg; ”Sonnet: The Ladies’ Home Journal” by Sandra Gilbert; “Dakota 38” by Layli Long Soldier; “Indian Boarding School: The Runaways” by Louise Erdrich; “Postcard from Kashmir” by Agha Shahid Ali; “My Uncle’s Favorite Coffee Shop” by Naomi Shihab Nye; “The Island Within” by Richard Blanco; “La Mira” by Pat Mora; “Elena” by Pat Mora; “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan; “Geraldo No Last Name” by Sandra Cisneros; “John Redding Goes to Sea” by Zora Neale Hurston; “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner; “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.