What You Missed in American Lit Class
An Ongoing Class Highlighting Various American Authors You May Not Have Studied in American Literature
Chris P. (she/her)
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(172)
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
This ongoing class will be both lecture and discussion based. We will have fun discussing some American poets, short story writers, speech writers, and novelists that you may not have studied in American literature. We will discuss the themes and writing styles used by each author and talk about the historical settings in which they wrote. We will also have fun looking at some of the lesser known facts about their lives or their writings. Specific authors will be discussed in each class, but students do not have to read the works of each author before class. Also, these classes do not build upon each other. This is an ongoing class with new discussions each week. No prior knowledge is needed. Week one (week of March 28): Phillis Wheatley Peters Week two (week of April 4): Meriwether Lewis Week three: Miriam Davis Colt and Willa Cather Week four: Abraham Lincoln, Edgar Allan Poe, Jack London Week five: Carl Sandburg, Kate Chopin, E. E. Cummings Week six: The Influence of Louisa May Alcott and Ernest Hemingway (War Reporter, Short Story Writer, Novelist) Week seven: Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, letters and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week eight: Modern American Novelists: James Patterson, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison
Learning Goals
Students will gain a deeper understanding of the literary heritage of the United States and explore voices of authors who give voice to the people who have inhabited this nation and our communities from our early beginnings through current times. We will use fun trivia facts about authors (their writings and their lives) to keep the conversations fun.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students do not have to read the works by the author before joining the sessions. I will be discussing global themes and historical overviews. This class will feature an overview and fun facts about American authors and their writings. Examples: Why did they write what they wrote? Where did they live? What other authors were writing at the same time? We will mention anything historically relevant to their times, but this will not be an in-depth study of any social, political or religious movement (though some will be mentioned as they are relevant to the author we are discussing).
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
I have written my own American literature overview and will be using that as the only source. This is not a published book, but it is my own personal teaching resource. I have been teaching literature courses in my homeschool community for many years and prefer to use my own well-researched material to provide a fun overview for the students.
Joined August, 2020
5.0
172reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Emory University
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Memphis (Memphis State University)
I'm so excited to have a chance to teach literature and writing to your students. I'm a published author. My seventh book (second poetry book) was released in August 2020. I have a degree in English from University of Memphis. I also hold a master's degree from Emory University. I am the author of seven books, including novels, poetry books, and a writing guide for students. I'm also a professional editor, manuscript consultant, and proofreader. I have been teaching literature and writing to students in my local community for 20+ years. I enjoy helping students sharpen their academic and creative writing skills while reviewing the works of authors who have shared their voices with us through history and who are currently sharing their voices with us today. I teach all ages and am excited to meet your students. In my classes, we work on finding our own writing styles, improving our writing skills, identifying key elements of literature, and having fun along the way. I believe that reading and writing can be enjoyable for all students.
I am a social justice poet and advocate. I lead writing workshops and hold poetry readings around the country. While earning my Master of Divinity degree from Emory University, I participated in internships which led me to work with marginalized groups in our society. While at Emory, I attended lectures led by Former President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, and the Dalai Lama of Tibet. One of my internships involved working with persons challenged by learning and mental differences. I worked with adults trying to live on their own despite their challenges. I also worked with persons diagnosed with AIDS in the 90s when I learned two relatives of mine were living with AIDS. When they died, I led the funeral for one and presented an AIDS quilt square for each of them to the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. I have advocated for people living on the autism spectrum (my oldest child is on the autism spectrum). I have led groups for survivors of domestic abuse. I am the Memphis-area regional leader for Free Mom Hugs. Free Mom Hugs is a 501(c)3 organization that advocates for equality for the LGBT community by providing resources, education, and support. I am a Mama Bear, which means I am the mother of someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am also the West Tennessee coordinator for the Mama Bears. Our national group has more than 16,000 members. This is a private group for moms of LGBTQ kids. The Mama Bears organization is a network of groups, websites, special projects & resources dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering Moms of LGBTQ kids and the LGBTQ Community. I organize Pride booths and groups to march in Pride parades. I have also volunteered with Queer Youth Day through OUTMemphis.Reviews
Live Group Class
$10
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-10 learners per class
