Literature should not be stuffy. Literature is not stuffy. My goal in teaching Literature is not to have students check the box saying, “Okay, I read that. What’s next?” but to introduce students to literature, explore how it fits into our world, and realize how we genuinely encounter it in some way every day. I hope my classes encourage a life-long love or a strong appreciation of Literature and poetry.
My classes will present students with both classic and contemporary literature. Through lively discussion, they will learn about the authors and their intent. Students will learn the importance of the works we study and, most importantly, be encouraged to form their own opinions of these works.
All literature classes will include selections of fiction novels, short stories, and poetry, with no repetition among the four classes. We will study each book or collection of poetry over several weeks. Classes will include lectures, presentations, reading aloud, and many discussions. Courses may also have interactive fun; perhaps afternoon tea while reading Jane Austen or maybe gumbo while studying Mark Twain!
I will give homework, typically short essay answers or complete essays, and give a test for each work studied. Each class will have a final exam or final project.
Students will keep a Vocabulary Log as they encounter new words and terms. We will discuss these words in class, and many of these words will be part of the standard SAT vocabulary.
American, British, and World literature classes will include an introductory review of essential literature components and elements.
Students need to purchase copies of the books we study unless otherwise noted. (see question #5 below)
INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
High School 1 Full-year credit
Eighth-grade students may also take this class
Class Availability-This class is available both in-person and virtually.
Class Fee-$25 per 90-minute class, 30 weeks One-time $10 copy fee
Typically I do a short check-in either by Zoom or phone each week at no cost.
Curriculum source-Beryl Morgan, Homeschool Humanities, LLC
Supplies needed-Three-ring binder with notebook paper and 5 dividers.
Additionally, students will need to purchase the books we read in each class unless otherwise noted. Please refer to questions 2-4 below.
Students will gain a solid knowledge of the Types of Literature, Elements of Literature, Structure of Literature, and Literature Diagramming, allowing them to understand and enjoy their future reading. We will study several works, both classic and contemporary. I will introduce students to the Elements and Structure of Poetry through various poetry and lyrics, both traditional and modern.
WORLD LITERATURE
High School 1 full-year credit
Eighth-grade students may also take this class
Class Availability-This class is available both in-person and virtually.
Class Fee-$25 per 90-minute class, 30 weeks One-time $10 copy fee
Typically I do a short check-in either by Zoom or phone each week at no cost.
Curriculum source-Beryl Morgan, Homeschool Humanities, LLC
Supplies needed-Three-ring binder with notebook paper and 5 dividers.
Additionally, students will need to purchase the books we read in each class unless otherwise noted. Please refer to questions 2-4 below.
I will introduce students to novels, short stories, and poetry created by authors from different countries. We will explore the lives of each author and learn how the cultural, political, and historical events influenced each author and their work, as well as discuss how the work may or may not have affected world events and culture.
AMERICAN LITERATURE
High School 1 full-year credit
Eighth-grade students may also take this class
Class Availability-This class is available both in-person and virtually.
Class Fee-$25 per 90-minute class, 30 weeks One-time $10 copy fee
Typically I do a short check-in either by Zoom or phone each week at no cost.
Curriculum source-Beryl Morgan, Homeschool Humanities, LLC
Supplies needed-Three-ring binder with notebook paper and 5 dividers.
Additionally, students will need to purchase the books we read in each class unless otherwise noted. Please refer to questions 2-4 below.
From Washington Irving, Mark Twain, and John Steinbeck to Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Cooper, we will explore a robust collection of classic and contemporary American works in various genres. These selections include novels, short stories, and poetry. Students will learn what makes American Literature uniquely American and how many American authors influenced our history and culture by studying the authors’ lives and works.
BRITISH LITERATURE
High School 1 full-year credit
Eighth-grade students may also take this class
Class Availability-This class is available both in-person and virtually.
Class Fee-$25 per 90-minute class, 30 weeks One-time $10 copy fee
Typically I do a short check-in either by Zoom or phone each week at no cost.
Curriculum source-Beryl Morgan, Homeschool Humanities, LLC
Supplies needed-Three-ring binder with notebook paper and 5 dividers.
Additionally, students will need to purchase the books we read in each class unless otherwise noted. Please refer to questions 2-4 below.
Beginning with the oldest recorded English poem and working toward works of the 20th Century, we will explore the development of British Literature. Students will start in England meeting The Brontes, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, and others through novels, short stories, and poetry. Next, they will encounter Robert Burns in Scotland and James Joyce in Ireland. We will pay homage to Shakespeare through several sonnets and one dramatic piece.
QUESTIONS ABOUT LITERATURE CLASSES
1-What about High School credit? My literature classes include reading, comprehension, and composition components, thus satisfying typical High School requirements. (Usually referred to as English I, II, III, and IV) Introduction to Literature may be completed in eighth grade. Depending on your state’s Homeschool Requirements, literature classes may count toward High School if taken in eighth grade.
2-Is there an additional book fee?
Students will be required to purchase copies of the texts we are reading.
3-Does my student need to use a particular version of each book or poem? No, and Yes! Students may purchase any version of the book if it is not labeled “abridged” or “for children”. The exception is when we study Shakespeare; I use a particular translation of Shakespeare’s works that you may purchase online.
4-May my student use an audiobook in place of a hard copy? Yes! I completely understand that some students are better listeners than they are readers. Students may use audiobooks provided; they are not labeled “abridged” or “for children”. I can provide information on free and low-cost audiobook sources.
5-What about Honors? Students may take an Honors version of each class, and honors classes require additional work. If you are interested in the Honors version of any course, don’t hesitate to contact me.
6-What about grading? I will provide parents with a final grade sheet reflecting the grade for each homework assignment, test, or project. If requested, I can give a grade percentage per semester or quarter. All grades are percentages that easily convert to a letter grade.
7-What about Grammar? Although Literature classes do not include grammar instruction, grammar is part of my grading rubric for written homework. By ninth grade, I assume that students have a relatively firm grasp of grammatical concepts. If you have questions about a grammar curriculum, please ask me.
8-What about poetry? Many poems we study in class are part of a singular poet or theme collection. To avoid families purchasing large books of poetry, I will provide copies of the poems we study. The exception would be epic poems published as books, such as Beowolf or Canterbury Tales.