Each week, if not daily I receive a variety of questions from my families as I make my daily care calls. Thus far the frequent questions has been around Literature and composition for the 7th -12th grade years.
Frequent questions I receive regarding adding literature and composition are:
*when do I add literature and composition studies?
*how many books should be read?
*what all must be taught during composition?
*must I teach composition and literature the entire year?
*what types of literature must my student read?
*how do I grade the composition?
*what exactly is English I, English II, English III, English IV?
*when can I introduce my students to English I for high school credit?
*how do I make English I – English IV honors level course?
The YouTube video below should answer most of these questions. However, I’ve answered some of these questions down below.
Most often English I, II, III, IV studies can start in the 7th grade. If this is the case then students will complete the normal English credit studies in the 10th grade. What do you do then?
Great question!
For your homeschool student they can be done with their studies once they enter 11th and 12th grade or you can continue on to English V or consider dual enrollment English for them with one of our location colleges/community colleges that offer a dual enrollment program.
Other options will be not to officially began English I level high school credit courses until 9th grade. Allow the 7th and 8th grade literature and composition studies to be a basic intro into high school English I.
As the students read the literature of your choosing (or theirs) grading their work may be a challenge. My suggestion would be create a rubics that the student must follow and requirements that must be met to receive a satisfactory grade or points.
As the home educator you have the freedom to choose how to grade your children’s writing and completion of literature.
English studies are one of the easiest to weight as honors.
Simply add over and above what normal studies would be for English I – IV.
Extra reading, extra writing assignments, writing workshops, writing clubs, literature clubs etc. The rigor must be over and above what your normal English and comp class will entail THEN create a syllabus that indicates the work over and above your standard for the course.
If you are a member of my association I will ask to look over your Honors syllabus to ensure they are satisfactory for college standards and are in fact ‘Honors’ work completed.
Google is a good friend! When you are looking for writing ideas, Google it.
Looking for various literature ideas for reading Google it or check the link below for the list I have on my website https://uchunlimited.com/high-school-enlgish/
Click the above hyperlink for my suggestions!
Use Progney Press’s literature workbooks to enhance the learning and pull out the additional learning you’d like for your children to glean from the various literature books that they read. (Progney Press has literature workbooks as early as Kindergarten)
If you have more questions or have comments please share your comments.
(Be sure to share this information with a homeschooling family member, friend or neighbor. It just may be the information that they were needing to know.)
Happy reading!
Angela
Angela Jordan Perry, is a wife of 25 years, homeschooling Mom of eight children, mentor, entrepreneur, Young Living direct marketer, mad’am farmer, homeschool Academy director, Toastmasters Competent Communicator recipient, Racial Unity activist and one who is practicing Yeshua. Angela and her family makes their home in Campobello, SC.