English 1: Exploring Literature & Writing
Master Teacher: Andrea Hardy
Duration: Yearlong course offered in fall/spring (32 weeks).
Suggested High School Credit Value: 1 credit.
Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade level and up.
Tuition: $629 for HSLDA Members / $699 for non-members
Description: English 1: Exploring Literature & Writing teaches students to read literature critically. The selected works are framed around a central theme: “What makes a hero?” Using a biblical perspective, students examine various stories of heroes and their journeys. Whether these stories occur in Tolkien’s fictional Middle-earth or the nineteenth century American south, students learn about the distinctive virtues and behaviors which are found in all heroes. Students process these ideas in two-page essay responses, assigned after each major work is finished.
Watch a sample clip of an Academy live class session.
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Live Online Class Session Schedule
Dates: August 19, 2024 - May 2, 2025
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Class Section
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Weekly Meeting Time
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Instructors
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| Section 1: Closed–Section is full |
Tuesdays, 12:00–1:30 p.m. Eastern |
Mrs. Andrea Hardy
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| Section 2: Closed–Section is full |
Mondays, 4:30–6:00 p.m. Eastern |
Mrs. Susan Verner
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| Section 3: Closed–Section is full |
Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Eastern |
Mrs. Andrea Hardy
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| Section 4: Closed–Section is full |
Mondays, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Eastern |
Mrs. Leigh Ann Scott
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Additional class times may be added to the schedule later in the registration period. Please note: all class times are subject to the availability of each individual instructor. See this page for more information. If you have questions, please call 540-338-8290 or email academy@hslda.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Students Will Learn
- How to understand and apply analytical thinking
- How to incorporate evidence into essays
- How to write clear, thoughtful thesis statements
- How to write effective topic sentences
- How to improve their writing through revision
- How to punctuate sentences properly
- How to create and understand proper essay structure
- How to read literature from a biblical worldview
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How much homework is in English 1?
We estimate students will spend 5-7 hours per week on coursework. During a typical week in this course, students will complete the following coursework:
- 60–90 minutes of live class instruction
- 30–50 pages of reading, guided by reading questions
- 2 grammar exercises
- 5 vocabulary words (from the course reading)
- A short creative assignment (per unit)
- Analysis paragraphs for each book to practice critical thinking
- Various homework assignments or activities (vocabulary, writing, recitation, or grammar)
Throughout the year, students complete seven literary works, six two-page response essays, six literature tests, grammar and vocabulary quizzes every few weeks, and an original short story.
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What books will I use in English 1: Exploring Literature & Writing?
The English 1: Exploring Literature & Writing booklist is now available. In the official booklist, you will find information about the editions, book descriptions, and the reasons why HSLDA Online Academy selected these books.
You can order course materials for competitive prices through the Christianbook.com bookstore. Use the Textbook Finder to locate the required resources for your courses. Please note that while most books are available through Christianbook.com, some titles are not carried and will need to be purchased elsewhere.
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Prerequisites
Students should be able to read and comprehend at a high school level. Although we will begin our study of writing with basic sentences and paragraphs, and then build into essays, students should have some experience with essay writing prior to taking English 1.
Still have questions if you are ready for a standard high school class? Please visit our Academic Readiness page for more information.
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What is a Live Online Class Session in English 1: Exploring Literature & Writing?
In every HSLDA Academy course, students meet weekly with their instructor and classmates in an online classroom for additional teaching, discussion, Q&A, or group activities. The class sessions are interactive and are conducted using a web meeting software with video, audio, chat, and application sharing capabilities.
Scheduled, real-time sessions in the online classroom are not the only form of instruction available in a HSLDA Online Academy course, but are offered in addition to lectures or other instructional materials that students are able to access online at their convenience.
When they register, students will need to select a particular class section and live class meeting time. Additional class sections may be added to the schedule at a later point in the course registration period. Registered students will be notified of any changes to the live session schedule.
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What if I have a schedule conflict with listed English 1: Exploring Literature & Writing class times?
All live class sessions are recorded for later viewing. While it is recommended that students attend each live class session, students can make arrangements with their instructors to watch the recordings and receive full participation credit.
Students should contact their instructor at the start of their course to inform the instructor of any foreseen schedule conflicts.
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