Are you looking for curriculum for your high schooler for next year? Around this time, I was always looking into curriculum options for my teen, and exploring around for new ideas was one of my most favorite times in our homeschooling. I recently found a new source for high school English courses that I like – American Literature by 7 Sisters. These courses are actually made by homeschoolers.
Have you seen the offerings at the 7 Sisters? This site is hosted by a group of veteran homeschool moms who all have homeschooled their teens through high school. They offer a large variety of high school curriculum based on their many years of experience. Let’s take a look at American Literature by 7 Sisters.
American Literature by 7 Sisters
I love 7 Sisters’ approach to literature. They offer many English courses, including American Literature. Today I’d like to share their American Literature course with you. The best part about it is that these courses avoid any busywork. Now that is how it should be!
The American Literature High School Course consists of a 125 page downloadable ebook text, which is a complete college prep one year course, centered around nine classics, including:
- A Separate Peace
- A Raisin in the Sun
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- The Scarlet Letter
- Little Women
- Fahrenheit
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- The Right Stuff
- And To Kill A Mockingbird
Overview Of American Literature by 7 Sisters Program
Students read one book a month and then work through the corresponding study guide. There is also a table to refer to, that helps you to adjust the course so that students can earn extra advanced or honors credit if desired.
Each title has a study guide to go along with it, with critical thinking questions to help your teen learn literary analysis. Now, teaching the concepts of literary analysis can be a little daunting. I love how 7 Sisters teaches it. They avoid attempting to examine all the literary devices at the same time. Instead, each study guide focuses on only two or three literary elements. Great idea!
Each study guide consists of the following:
- Background information
- Vocabulary
- Discussion Questions focusing on two or three literary elements
- Suggested Writing Assignments
- Answer Key
By working through this course, your student will develop a good understanding of all of the aspects of literary analysis, one step at a time! That is great prep for later work in college, if that is where your teen is headed.
I love how they offer an answer key also. This can be so helpful for guiding your literature discussions, at home , or at co-op. Talking about the books together…what a great way to reinforce literary analysis and build critical thinking skills in your teen.
Additional English courses offered by 7 Sisters
- World Literature
- British Literature
- Chronicles of Narnia Literature Study Guides
- Great Christian Writers
- High School Literature and Composition, Part A
- High School Literature and Composition, Part B
If you are looking for a great resource for American Literature or any of their other courses mentioned above, click the American Literature image, below or click here.
~Originally posted May 2018 by Betsy. Mom to a graduated daughter whom she homeschooled since preschool. She blogs at BJ’s Homeschool.
More Homeschool Literature Options
7 Engaging American Literature Choices for Your Homeschool – American literature curriculum is often something parents of high schoolers are looking for as it is typically a required course for high school. But how do you choose one? And what good options are out there for us homeschoolers? What other ways can you teach it and what resources are out there? Click through and find out!
Lightning Literature and Composition for Middle School – Middle School is a time of development and transition from the grammar stage of elementary school to the higher thinking and processing rhetoric stage in high school. At this time kids are learning to think more critically and logically. Lightning Literature and Composition offers middle school students that opportunity through literature.
Melanie DeVries says
Do you have any guides for British Literature?
Betsy says
Yes. Good question Melanie. Here is the link to the 7 Sisters frugal and great British Literature course –
LINK – https://7sistershomeschool.com/products-page/literature-composition-curriculum-bundles/british-literature-a-one-credit-college-prep-course/?wpam_id=28161
Christine Drosdak says
How are grades determined? How are things broken down to come up with a grade? Do you know if your courses are approved by NCAA for core course eligibility?
Kathy says
Does this guide cover American poetry at all?
Heidi Ciravola says
No. It covers the 9 literary works listed in the description.