The first semester of American Literature emphasizes skills and strategies for independent reading, analyzing, and writing about works of American literature from its beginning to the late 19th century. Students read and discuss the authors of this period addressing relevant social, political, cultural and religious issues. Instruction in each standards-based unit of study interrelates reading, writing, oral communication, and language study. Students are provided with multiple opportunities to articulate their own ideas as well as to question, interpret, and evaluate others’ ideas. (FT)