American Literature and Composition
This high school level class will explore the seven (7) major literary periods (Native American, Age of Faith (Colonialism), Age of Reason, Romanticism, Realism, Modern and Contemporary. We will focus on how literature has shaped the American culture. Students will engage in lively in-depth discussion that are both teacher and student led as they study literature of various types of writings such as: historical documents, narrative accounts, poems, speeches, short stories, novel excerpts and full novels, to include: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglas: The Narrative of a Slave, Huckleberry Finn, The Jungle, and To Kill a Mockingbird). All poems, short stories, speeches and documents will either be provided in class handouts or found on the internet. Extensive vocabulary, critical reading, critical analysis, critical thinking, and writing assignments are included. The American Literature & Composition class will expose students to over 25 authors and poets as well as almost 75 literary, poetic, and rhetorical terms necessary for literary analysis and critical interpretation for various forms of literature and essays. In addition to learning to write various types of literary essays and papers, students will have projects, write and recite several speeches and create fun presentations. Grammar and sentence structure is also taught and/ or reviewed weekly. This full high school English class is designed to cover sufficient assignments for 4 more hours of class work per week.
Prerequisites: A good understanding of writing principles for the high school level and readiness to analyze literature.
High School Credit: 1 English Credit
Required Texts: class novels as listed above. All poems or short stories are either provided in class handouts or available on the internet.
Tuition Cost: $620.00 per year for first child, $570.00 if paid in full on or before the first day of class or monthly payment of $65.00. Sibling Discount Available.
Location: Tuesday Virtual On-Line 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Testimony
“Mrs. Gartrell’s classes are very thorough and a great learning experience for my children. I have graduated 2 homeschooled children and currently homeschooling my youngest. My 2 oldest feel very confident with what they have learned through Mrs. Gartrell’s classes and feel very equipped to handle any college course which require essays. Her classes and the level of assignments has also helped prepare them for college level work. These classes are a lot of work, but even my children will agree that these classes have been a great benefit.” D. McWhorter