American Literature Live Class

American Literature Live 2024-2025

In this live class, read and discuss great books in Zoom meetings as you trace the development of American literature. Learn how to write and talk about literature and present your findings in writing assignments. Pair with Dave Raymond’s American History to add history credit, or take the course as an introduction to literary analysis.

Seats still available: Recordings catch you up any time!

Description

American Literature Live will focus on building a comprehensive understanding of basic literary elements such as irony, duality, juxtaposition, and, more importantly, a love of literature.

The class will meet once per week over Zoom, on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:00 PM Central Standard Time.

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.

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

Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00 PM Central Standard Time

  1. Aug 20
  2. Aug 27
  3. Sep 03
  4. Sep 10
  5. Sep 17
  6. Sep 24
  7. Oct 01
  8. Oct 08 – Fall Break (no class meeting)
  9. Oct 15
  10. Oct 22
  11. Oct 29
  12. Nov 05
  13. Nov 12
  14. Nov 19
  15. Nov 26 Thanksgiving Break
  16. Dec 3
  17. Dec 10
  18. Dec 11-Jan 6 Christmas Break
  19. Jan 07
  20. Jan 14
  21. Jan 21
  22. Jan 28
  23. Feb 04
  24. Feb 11
  25. Feb 18
  26. Feb 25
  27. Mar 04 Spring Break
  28. Mar 11
  29. Mar 18
  30. Mar 25
  31. Apr 01
  32. Apr 08
  33. Apr 15 Easter Break
  34. Apr 22
  35. Apr 29
  36. May 06

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 submitting the assignments to Dave.

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.

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

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

Mary Pierson Purifoy has completed a history degree 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. Film is another passion as is exploring history through film and literature.

Additional information

Age

12-14 (grades 6-9)

Age/Grade

,

Credit

1 MS

Credit Amount

Lessons

31

Format

– Zoom meetings
– Moderated discussion group on MyCompassClassroom.com

1 review for American Literature Live 2024-2025

  1. Robin

    We actually dropped a local literature class to take this and it is the best homeschooling lit class we have ever taken so far. None other had given us so many interesting historical backgrounds to make the books come alive. This was the second literature class my daughter has ever taken so we really appreciate the pace, the easy-going nature and the encouragement you are to the students in the discussions and the writing assignments. Thank you again for teaching! We so appreciate your tutelage.

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