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American Literature Booklist

American Literature (AL1-B)

First Semester | 16-week Course Plan
 
Embark on a literary adventure with American Literature (AL1-B), a high school course designed with homeschooling families in mind, blending St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s classical liberal arts tradition with a Catholic perspective. This one-semester journey introduces students to the art of literary analysis, beginning with foundational tools from Adam and Missy Andrews’ Teaching the Classics and culminating in an in-depth study of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Tailored as part of U.S. Studies I, the course nurtures both aspiring writers and students seeking to deepen their understanding of narrative, fostering articulate expression through a faith-informed lens. Ideal for Grades 6–12, it offers flexibility—younger learners may substitute Twain’s work with alternatives like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer—while encouraging family dialogue and critical thinking across all levels.
 
This semester unfolds in two enriching phases:
  • Literary Analysis Foundations: Master the Socratic method and story elements—setting, characters, conflict, and theme—using narrative poems and short stories to build analytical skills.
  • Exploration of American Narrative: Apply these tools to Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, uncovering its moral and cultural depths through a Catholic worldview.
 
Students engage with core texts like Teaching the Classics (DVD and workbook) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, supported by the Exploded Story Chart download and 4" × 6" index cards for hands-on learning. Optional resources, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin with its Progeny Press Study Guide, offer alternative paths for customization. The STAA Study Guide provides a flexible path, adapting to each student’s learning style and encouraging independence through weekly plans packed with discussion prompts, clear assignments, and study tools—all gearing up for online quizzes on the STAA Student Zone. Students sharpen critical thinking and writing skills through tasks like literary term analyses, practicums, and a detailed story chart, while teaching-parents find support in detailed course plans and a gradebook to track progress—all designed to nurture family collaboration and lively discussion.
 
Required Texts (purchased separately):
  • Semester 1: U.S. Studies I B Study Guide (STAA)
  • Teaching the Classics (DVD and Workbook) by Adam Andrews and Missy Andrews
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (any unabridged edition; Ignatius Critical Edition preferred) by Mark Twain
  • Exploded Story Chart (STAA Student Zone PDF download)
  • 4" × 6" Index Cards (any brand, lined)
 
Optional Texts:
  • Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (for European Studies students), or The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.
  • Progeny Press Study Guide
 
Prerequisites: None; recommended for students in Grades 6–12 as part of the U.S. Studies, B Track cycle.
 
Recommended Schedule: About an hour per school day of study, coursework, and discussion (approx. five hours per school week). Daily schedule recommendations in the study guide can be easily adapted to a block schedule.
 
Support: Enroll in the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy program for experienced advisor support with placement and guidance or choose the Independent Study option to activate your student’s access to the STAA Student Zone. For even more support, consider adding the Fall semester live class with optional advisor grading.

EXPLORE THE BOOKLIST
The following clickable version of the booklist features the STAA Study Guide options for this course, offering a choice between the semester guide aligned with the academic cycle or the standalone subject booklet. Information on live class options for this course is also provided near the top of the list. Orders for STAA Study Guides and registration for live classes are processed through this website, while many of the books and materials can be purchased directly from Amazon.com or from your preferred supplier.

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