ARCHES
  • Home
  • News & Updates
  • Academic Calendar
  • Class Schedule
  • Course Descriptions
    • Computer
      • Intro to Computer Programming & Web Page Design
    • Electives
      • Career Exploration and Preparation
      • Keyboarding
      • Sewing
    • Fine Arts
    • History and Social Studies
      • American Government
      • American History
      • British History
      • World Geography
    • Humanities
      • Grammar & Writing
      • Literature I
      • Literature II
      • British Letters
      • American Letters
    • Languages
    • Mathematics
      • Saxon Math 8/7
      • Pre-Algebra
      • Algebra I
      • Algebra II
    • Sciences
      • Life Science
      • Earth Science
      • Physical Science
      • Biology
  • Tutors
  • Payment Information
  • Policies
    • Academic Honor Code
    • Parental Responsibilities
    • Student Responsibility
    • Conduct/Dress Code
    • Sign In/Visitors
    • Study Hall/Electronics
    • Emergencies
    • Discipline
  • Registration
  • Donations & Fundraising
  • Board Members
  • Location/Contact
  • Home
  • News & Updates
  • Academic Calendar
  • Class Schedule
  • Course Descriptions
    • Computer
      • Intro to Computer Programming & Web Page Design
    • Electives
      • Career Exploration and Preparation
      • Keyboarding
      • Sewing
    • Fine Arts
    • History and Social Studies
      • American Government
      • American History
      • British History
      • World Geography
    • Humanities
      • Grammar & Writing
      • Literature I
      • Literature II
      • British Letters
      • American Letters
    • Languages
    • Mathematics
      • Saxon Math 8/7
      • Pre-Algebra
      • Algebra I
      • Algebra II
    • Sciences
      • Life Science
      • Earth Science
      • Physical Science
      • Biology
  • Tutors
  • Payment Information
  • Policies
    • Academic Honor Code
    • Parental Responsibilities
    • Student Responsibility
    • Conduct/Dress Code
    • Sign In/Visitors
    • Study Hall/Electronics
    • Emergencies
    • Discipline
  • Registration
  • Donations & Fundraising
  • Board Members
  • Location/Contact

American Letters

Planned to be taken in conjunction with the American History class, students will be studying American Literature, poetry, drama, and philosophy. Note taking, discussion, and four three-five page papers will be required.

Course Expectations for American Letters

Minimum Expectations:
• Parents will assume all responsibility for making sure reading assignments are done on time.
• Two additional assignments (oral or written) will be given each semester. Completed assignments must be turned in on the deadlines given by the tutor.
• Parents must help their students edit all writing assignments. Guidelines are given in the writer’s checklist that each student will receive. Elements of Grammar by Strunk and White is a valuable resource to assist you with this.
• Students will attend class regularly and participate in the discussion. Prior notice of all absences is required.
• Any quizzes or tests given are not an optional part of the class.
• Students are expected to read the full version of each book assigned. Substituting a synopsis such as Cliff Notes is unethical and would not fully prepare a student for class participation and assignments.
• Students will be required to take their own notes on materials covered in this class. Using notes from another source would be unethical and is not permitted.
• In order for this class to have full credit value, it is highly recommended that parents provide additional related learning experiences outside of this class.

American Letters Enrichment Suggestions:
• Writing on books that are not assigned an accompanying composition in class
• Biographical studies of the authors whose works are read
• Research on the historical setting of a story read in class
• Begin a timeline to use throughout your study of history and literature in ARCHES classes.
• Parents - read the books as they are assigned and discuss them with your student.
• Read Shakespeare assignments aloud with your student. As plays, they are meant to be spoken and
are more effectively understood when read aloud.
• Vocabulary building - Require a certain number of vocabulary words from the assigned works, but
allow student to create their own list.
• Personal response journal: Student pulls ideas from assigned works to comment on how they relate to
issues in modern life.

Recommended for students in 9th-12th grade.

Prerequisite: Students must have demonstrated the ability to write a three page paper.

Corequisite: American History

Books:
  • The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-28048-9
  • The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
    Published by: Bantam Classic
    ISBN: 0-553-21340-7
  • Walden, or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-28495-6
  • Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
    Published by: Bantam Classics
    ISBN: 0-553-21329-6
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-28061-6
  • Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
    Published by: Washington Square Press
    ISBN: 0-743-48275-1
  • Abraham Lincoln's Greatest Speeches by Lincoln, Grafton, Basler 
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-26872-1
  • The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-26465-3
  • The Gold Bug and Other Stories by Edgar Allen Poe
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-26875-6
  • O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-27785-2
  • The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
    Published by: Bantam Classics
    ISBN: 0-553-21245-1
  • The Pearl by John Steinbeck
    Published by: Penguin Books
    ISBN: 0-14-017737-X
  • 101 Great American Poems by The American Poetry & Literacy Project
    Published by: Dover Thrift Editions
    ISBN: 0-486-40158-8
  • Great American Short Stories by W & M Stegner
    Published by: Dell Publishing
    ISBN: 0-440-33060-2

Fees:
  • $25.00 Administrative Fee payable to: ARCHES
  • $250.00 Tuition payable per semester to: Cristy Trandahl

Tutor: Cristy Trandahl
Picture
All contents Copyright © 2007-2021 ARCHES - Aquinas Roman Catholic Home Education Services
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • News & Updates
  • Academic Calendar
  • Class Schedule
  • Course Descriptions
    • Computer
      • Intro to Computer Programming & Web Page Design
    • Electives
      • Career Exploration and Preparation
      • Keyboarding
      • Sewing
    • Fine Arts
    • History and Social Studies
      • American Government
      • American History
      • British History
      • World Geography
    • Humanities
      • Grammar & Writing
      • Literature I
      • Literature II
      • British Letters
      • American Letters
    • Languages
    • Mathematics
      • Saxon Math 8/7
      • Pre-Algebra
      • Algebra I
      • Algebra II
    • Sciences
      • Life Science
      • Earth Science
      • Physical Science
      • Biology
  • Tutors
  • Payment Information
  • Policies
    • Academic Honor Code
    • Parental Responsibilities
    • Student Responsibility
    • Conduct/Dress Code
    • Sign In/Visitors
    • Study Hall/Electronics
    • Emergencies
    • Discipline
  • Registration
  • Donations & Fundraising
  • Board Members
  • Location/Contact