American Literature Study Guide

Basis for Rating: I really liked the Teaching the Classics discs and lessons, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was really engaging. At times I found the book crude, but overall I enjoyed it.Review: Since I was little, I've always loved to read. I had picked up the Adventures of Tom Sawyer a few years ago at the library after my brother told me how exciting the book was. I loved the story, so I was looking forward to reading another of Twain's books this semester, but I had accustomed to the thought that I wouldn't enjoy reading if it was part of my schoolwork. Throughout the weeks, I found that, rather than distracting me from what I was reading, the course assignments prompted me to delve deeper into the story and savor each chapter more than I would have normally. Huck's insight on life is so interesting, and I looked forward to seeing how he dealt with strange problems and characters. Dishonesty came easily to him in every situation, but for a short moment in chapter 31, he experienced the wonderful feeling of honesty. "I felt good and all washed clean of sin for the first time I had ever felt so in my life, and I knowed I could pray now." (Twain 238) Huck's struggle with his conscience was the aspect of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that I found most intriguing.

Basis for Rating: I enjoyed this course immensely, while learning a lot but still having fun! I loved the online classes with Miss Bethany, and even though sometimes things were a bit tricky, they really helped me think deeply about literature.Review: One of the many lessons I learned during this course was how to think deeply about literature using the Socratic List (Teaching the Classics 79-92). It was interesting using these lists to think about books and stories completely differently than I ever had before. I look forward to use these questions from the Socratic List in the following years of my life.

Basis for Rating: The course organization was excellent. The STAA staff was wonderful. The lasting value was priceless. The personal enjoyment was overflowing, and the difficulty was well-moderated.Review: To begin with, this semester of American Literature has been a fantastic experience. Using the Teaching the Classics course with Mr. Andrews was very helpful and enlightening. Miss Bethany's advice was wonderful and the work was rewarding. Week 15's live discussion was a lasting reflection. The talk about conflict in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opened my mind the complexity of human nature and the genius of Mark Twain. Overall, the course has deepened my love of quality American literature and laid the foundations for me to expand even more in new books.

Basis for Rating: The lessons were very clear and interesting, and Miss Bethany is a great teacher.Review: I don't really have one important lesson for me, but I really enjoyed the Teaching The Classics videos. I really enjoyed them because they weren't very boring at all and fun to watch, and I felt that I benefited a lot from them. 

Basis for Rating: The book selection of Huckleberry Finn. The course of Teaching the Classics. The flexibility included in the scheduleReview: Take your time with this course. Huckleberry Finn is an exciting read, so if you want, it is fine to read everything in one day, or drag it out, as long as your week is finished on time.