American Literature Live

Description

This Live Course will be offered during the 2025-26 academic year.

Taught by longtime homeschooler and gifted instructor Mary Pierson Purifoy, American Literature Live is a full-credit course that meets weekly over Zoom.  Miss Purifoy intentionally spends time giving detailed writing instruction and leading group discussions specifically based in Christian ideology. Your student will not only read a wide variety of classic works, but also learn how to think deeply about theme, symbolism, and character and effectively explore those literary terms in academic essays.

The class is meant first and foremost to instill a love of literature in students and establish a strong writing foundation that will carry them through the rest of their academic careers. Group discussion is a crucial aspect of the class since this allows students to interact with each other and take inspiration from their peers in an academic setting. 

Credit: Full Credit in Middle School or High School Literature/English

Ages: 12-14 (This course is taught at a ninth-grade level.)

Includes:

• Weekly group discussions
• Weekly readings of various length
• Short lectures covering literary context
• Writing instruction
• Approximately 10 essays of various types
• Grading

The class begins on August 18 and will meet weekly over Zoom on Mondays, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. The format will be lectures and discussion each week.

The format will be discussion-based with short lectures focused on the historical context of a particular book or short story. Students will read a variety of literary forms and learn how to write a basic thesis paper and find their own voice. The papers should reflect the student’s personal opinion as well as his ability to grasp literary concepts. The course can be used alongside Dave Raymond’s American History course but is also structured to stand alone.

Mary Pierson Purifoy graduated from Liberty University and was homeschooled until college. An avid reader and writer, she hopes to teach students to love books, writing, and history as well as a solid understanding of these subjects. She also loves old movies.

List of Readings

Bold items need to be purchased separately. Any unabridged editions will do. Suggested purchase links are provided.

1. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Mark Twain
2. The Aztec Hunters, Francis William Rolt-Wheeler (selections)
3. Explorer Stories (selections)
4. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
5. Poems by Anne Bradstreet
6. Poems by Phyllis Wheatley
7. “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” by Patrick Henry
8. Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
9. The Declaration of Independence & The United States Constitution
10. “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Purloined Letter,” Edgar Allan Poe
11. “Rip van Winkle,” Washington Irving
12. Poems by Emily Dickinson
13. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
14. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
15. Battle-Pieces & Aspects of the War, Herman Melville
16. Across Five Aprils, Irene Hunt [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, Thriftbooks]
17. The Wilderness Hunter, Theodore Roosevelt (selections)
18. “After 20 Years,” O. Henry

Schedule of Class Meetings

All Mondays, all scheduled from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. Exact dates subject to slight change. Runs approximately 39 weeks into May, including holiday breaks. Aug 19 – approximate start date

What if I can’t attend the live Zoom sessions?

All the sessions will be recorded and posted for enrolled families to watch at their convenience. You can use the recordings to review or catch up if you missed a session.

Families who can’t make the schedule above can still participate in the class assignments and group discussions by watching the recordings and communicating in the group on My Compass Classroom.

What kinds of assignments and assessments are included?

Assignments include weekly readings and papers corresponding with various pieces of literature.  All are designed to help students think deeply, write clearly, and enjoy great literature.

Will my student receive a final grade?

Yes! The instructor, Mary Pierson, will provide a suggested final grade based on submitted assignments and participation. Since this is a live homeschool course, the parent has the final authority and may use this grade as part of their student’s official transcript or records.

Do you offer refunds on live classes?

We think you will love this class. If you don’t, you may request a refund but must do so no later than before the second scheduled class after your enrollment (purchase) date. This gives you the chance to experience an entire live class session to make your decision.