Well-written literature is a treasure to engage with
and learn from! This curriculum gives both teacher and student the tools and
confidence to do so. Reading selections are grouped by genre into units, with
each unit further organized by themes such as humanity, courage, philosophy,
perseverance, and injustice. The literature choices reflect excellent,
time-honored works which emphasize morals (either by highlighting the positive
or contrasting with a negative theme). Prior to each reading selection, Before You
Read sections will help students learn about the author and the selection,
clueing in to specific literary techniques to look for as they read. Pages are
lined with reading questions, helpful definitions, CheckQuizzes, and Vocabulary
Workshops (with vocabulary practice). Following each selection
are Literary
Critiques (to analyze a passage); literary “FYI’s” (to
understand literary context); Writing Workshops (to apply analysis skills);
and more. Journal Workshop sections allow students to flesh out ideas
and practice writing skills. Text sidebars provide introductory information,
discussion questions, helpful definitions, and key points. Students engage
critical thinking skills in their discussions and writing assignments
(including essays, journaling, and literature responses). Detailed writing
handbooks provided at the end of each text serve as guides for the assignments,
but texts do not include writing instruction.
The 9-12 course sequence follows a bit of an
atypical pattern. The first three levels are organized by genre while teaching
students to respond to literature from different cultures and time periods. The
Ninth grade Explorer (World Literature) includes a 46-page Shakespeare
unit and the novel Around the World in Eighty Days. The Navigator
Level (Grade 10) highlights diverse international literature and
includes the full text of A Tale of Two Cities. It also assigns
narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing as well as literary
analysis. Pioneer (11) dials in on American Literature with primary
source documents, classics and includes the full text of the novel, Bartleby
the Scrivener. Writing assignments will include narrative, literary
analysis, personal, persuasive, and descriptive writing. The final level, Trailblazer
(12), spans British Literature from 449 AD to the 20th century. Selections
in this volume are arranged by historical and literary periods (Medieval,
Victorian, etc.) and include the full text of Macbeth. For specific
details on each level, see our individual product descriptions.
Student Texts include literature
excerpts and some full texts, including short stories, essays, drama, poetry,
or novellas. Hard topics are not ignored: the Auschwitz trials; living as
slaves; the effects of aging or communism, etc. Students are encouraged to
ponder and respond to these concepts. While no religious instruction is
included, religious terms and writings have historically been a part of culture
and typical daily life. So, there may be religious references, for example, in
a volume containing Renaissance literature, but will not be examined from a
religious instructional viewpoint. This neutral curriculum is also recommended
by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
The traditional style Teacher Books (10x11”)
include reduced student pages with questions/answers and teacher support. This
support includes vocabulary enrichment, literary terms, writing techniques, a
manual of style, detailed alphabetized listing of readings, indices of writing
tasks, focal themes, authors and literary works, and glossary. Periodic
Literature CheckQuizzes provide a way to examine student’s reading. These texts
also provide information to help students prepare for the NY Regents’ examination.
While this is a New-York specific test and the information is dated (early
2,000’s), this test prep material will be helpful for preparing students for
other English testing situations and could serve as a final exam for your
course. Answers and model essays are provided in the Teacher’s Book. Each
course is considered 1-credit. ~ Ruth
