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:
Fees:
Tutor: Cristy Trandahl
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
All contents Copyright © 2007-2021 ARCHES - Aquinas Roman Catholic Home Education Services
