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Composition I and II Booklist

Composition I (CM1-B) + EM1

First Semester | 16-week Course Plan
 
Begin the high school writing journey with Composition I (CM1-B), a course designed for homeschooling families, blending St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s classical liberal arts tradition with practical skill-building. This one-semester journey—part one of a two-semester sequence—introduces college-preparatory writing through Lori Verstegen’s U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons, guiding students in diverse formats and step-by-step techniques. Integrated with English mechanics via Frode Jensen’s Grammar and Punctuation, it fosters clarity and style. Ideal for Grades 8+, this course emphasizes checklist mastery and consistent application, preparing students for lifelong writing excellence with clear support for teaching-parents.
 
This semester unfolds in two key phases:
  • Writing Foundations: Learn structure and style through historical narratives, mastering outlines, revisions, and polished drafts with personalized checklists.
  • Mechanics and Precision: Build grammatical and punctuation skills, reinforcing writing with clear, effective expression across assignments.
 
Students engage with core texts like the U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (2019, 2nd Edition) Teacher’s Manual and Student Book, complemented by Jensen’s Grammar and Jensen’s Punctuation workbooks for mechanics practice. The STAA Study Guide provides a flexible path, adapting to each student’s pace and encouraging independence through weekly plans packed with prompts, assignments, and online exercises—all supported by the STAA Student Zone. Optional resources, such as Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons or Michael P. Kammer’s Writing Handbook, offer customization. Students hone critical writing and editing skills through tasks like essays and revisions, while teaching-parents find detailed plans and gradebooks to nurture collaboration and growth—all tailored to a family’s homeschooling journey.
 
Follow this course with Composition II for a complete year of writing mastery, and enjoy a transformative exploration of composition and mechanics.
 
Required Texts (purchased separately):
  • Semester 1: U.S. Studies I B Study Guide (STAA)
  • U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (2019, 2nd Edition) Teacher’s Manual and Student Book by Lori Verstegen
  • Jensen’s Grammar (Textbook, Tests and Answers) by Frode Jensen
  • Jensen’s Punctuation by Frode Jensen
  • General Punctuation Rules Reference (STAA Student Zone PDF)
 
Optional Texts:
  • Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons Teacher & Student Set by Lori Verstegen.  Use this set instead of U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons if your student is in the European Studies, B Track cycle.
  • Writing Handbook by Michael P. Kammer and Charles W. Mulligan
  • Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale
  • Self-Instruction in Handwriting by Zaner-Bloser
 
Prerequisites: None; recommended for students in Grades 8+ as part of the U.S. Studies, B Track cycle.
 
Recommended Schedule: This is Key Course 1 and will typically take an hour per school day of study, coursework, and discussion (approximately five hours per school week). Spend time on this course daily; we do not recommend trying to block schedule Composition I.
 
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 enhanced support, consider the Fall semester live class with advisor grading.

Composition II (CM2-B) + EM2

Second Semester | 16-week Course Plan
 
Continue the high school writing journey with Composition II (CM2-B). This one-semester course—part two of a two-semester sequence—deepens college-preparatory writing through Lori Verstegen’s U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons, focusing on advanced formats and techniques. Integrated with English mechanics via Frode Jensen’s Grammar and Punctuation, it refines clarity and style. Ideal for Grades 8+, this course solidifies checklist mastery and consistent application, equipping students for lifelong writing excellence with clear support for teaching-parents.
 
This semester unfolds in two key phases:
  • Advanced Writing Skills: Develop skills in summarizing multiple sources, crafting critiques, and structuring formal essays through historical and literary narratives.
  • Mechanics Refinement: Enhance grammatical precision and punctuation fluency, supporting sophisticated written expression across assignments.
 
Students engage with core texts like the U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (2019, 2nd Edition) Teacher’s Manual and Student Book, complemented by Jensen’s Grammar and Jensen’s Punctuation workbooks for mechanics practice. The STAA Study Guide provides a flexible path, adapting to each student’s pace and encouraging independence through weekly plans packed with prompts, assignments, and online exercises—all supported by the STAA Student Zone. Optional resources, such as Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons or Michael P. Kammer’s Writing Handbook, offer customization. Students sharpen critical writing and editing skills through tasks like multi-paragraph reports and critiques, while teaching-parents find detailed plans and gradebooks to nurture collaboration and growth—all tailored to a family’s homeschooling journey.
 
Follow this course after Composition I for a complete year of writing mastery, and enjoy a transformative exploration of composition and mechanics.
 
Required Texts (purchased separately):
  • Semester 2: U.S. Studies II B Study Guide (STAA)
  • U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (2019, 2nd Edition) Teacher’s Manual and Student Book by Lori Verstegen
  • Jensen’s Grammar (Textbook, Tests and Answers) by Frode Jensen
  • Jensen’s Punctuation by Frode Jensen
  • General Punctuation Rules Reference (STAA Student Zone PDF)
 
Optional Texts:
  • Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons Teacher & Student Set by Lori Verstegen. Use this set instead of U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons if your student is in the European Studies, B Track cycle.
  • Writing Handbook by Michael P. Kammer and Charles W. Mulligan
  • Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale
  • Self-Instruction in Handwriting by Zaner-Bloser
 
Prerequisites: Composition II (CM2-B) builds on Composition I (CM1-B), complete this sequence of courses in order; designed for students in Grades 8+ as part of the U.S. Studies, B Track cycle.
 
Recommended Schedule: This is Key Course 1 and will typically take an hour per school day of study, coursework, and discussion (approximately five hours per school week). Spend time on this course daily; we do not recommend trying to block schedule Composition II.
 
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 enhanced support, consider the Spring semester live class with 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.

Historical Cycles

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