AMERICAN LITERATURE (AL1-B)
St. Thomas Aquinas AcademyCOURSE OVERVIEW
A one-semester course, worth five high school credits. Designed as part of U.S. Studies I. The first quarter of AMERICAN LITERATURE I focuses on teaching literary analysis tools. We will be using the Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education book and DVD set by Adam and Missy Andrews to introduce these tools. The tools are then applied to narrative poems and short stories before delving into a study of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
This is a great program for the aspiring writer, to help him craft the Great American Novel. It is also a great program for the student who has trouble identifying features in written work, or who has trouble adequately expressing his ideas and opinions.
LESSON PLANS
- An overview of this course is provided in the Academic Packet.
- The weekly study plan for this course is included in STAA Study Guide: U.S. Studies I, B Track. The study plan is also available for purchase as a single-subject course plan booklet: www.staahomeschool.com/guides.
- The STAA Study Guide for this course may be viewed online on the STAA Student Zone: www.staahomeschool.com/studentzone.
- This course is also offered as a live, online class in the Fall Semester: www.staahomeschool.com/live.
BOOKS AND MATERIALS
A portion of every purchase made on Amazon after following the links here goes to help support St. Thomas Aquinas Academy's work. Thank you so very much for thinking of STAA when placing your book and general Amazon orders!
 
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Teaching the Classics DVD and Workbook
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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (The Ignatius Critical Editions)
With an introduction and contemporary criticism. |
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DOWNLOAD: Exploded Story Chart
Based on the "Teaching the Classics" DVD lectures and syllabus, this packet guides the students through the selection of Socratic Questions to guide their literary analysis as they read a novel or play. The packet is available as a download from the Student Zone. |
 
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Any brand. Lined, rather than blank. |
 
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Uncle Tom's Cabin (The Ignatius Critical Editions)
525 pages |
 
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A novel about the French Revolution set in London and Paris. Originally published as a serial in 1859. Any unabridged edition will do. |
 
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Progeny Press Study Guide: Uncle Tom's Cabin
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The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Shorter Sixth Edition [ORDER USED]
2930 pages. Our course plans reference the page numbers in the "Shorter Sixth Edition" but the "Shorter Seventh Edition" will serve as well. Good used copies are available for $5.00 to $25.00. |
 
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A novel published in 1850 about Puritan New England. Any unabridged edition will do. |
