American Literature and Composition (Cypress)

Class Year:  2024-2025
Time:  Mon 08:00 am - 10:00 am;
Teacher:  Tinitia Dodd
Tuition:  $700 / Year or $70 / Month for 10 Months (August - May)
Supply Fee:  $70 / Year Due Upon Registration (Non-Refundable after August 1)
Location:  Northwest (Cypress)

---

This course will take students on a reading & writing journey using American Literature & U.S. history through modern times. Students will practice writing using structured-based lessons while developing mastery in writing style.

They will read a variety of works from American Literature & more through novels, plays, short stories, essays & poems spanning a broad period of time in U.S. history.

Students will learn and analyze elements from various forms of writing, and review texts critically from a Biblical worldview. This upper-level course will be combined with regular readings and consistent writing practice to develop confidence and competency.

The student text is saturated with fresh, collegiate vocabulary that will boost any scholar’s word stock and prepare him/her for standardized tests.

Students will participate in lectures with discussions, oral presentation of ideas, collaborative group work, peer review & feedback, and other activities that lend to growth, creativity, movement and critical thinking. This class will, by no means, be boring. We will seek to intersect as many disciplines as possible to make connections and bring learning to life! Students will benefit from dedicated teaching and the necessary support to encourage their success.

Students will write many forms of the basic essay, including responses to literature, literary analysis, timed essays, an extended research essay, a contrast essay, narrative essays, personal essays and persuasive essays. MLA format and in-text citations will also be taught.

Supplies needed for course

• Notebook paper
• Binder
• Colored pens 
• Highlighters
• Post-its
• Pencils 

Textbooks:   Advanced U.S. HIstory-Based Writing Lessons Student Book*  by         

                         Lori Verstegen -you can purchase the textbook here

American Literature by Janice Campbell  - you can purchase the textbook  here

*(Do not purchase Teacher’s Manual)

Novels: In an effort to provide the highest quality of literature possible, a complete list of novels will be provided later this summer. Some reading material can be viewed in the textbooks listed above. 

Payment information

Tuition: $70 monthly payments (Aug.-May) or yearly tuition amount due by the first day of class ($700)

Tuition payments are due on the first day of class each month. Late tuition payments incur a fee of $10 per week.  

A three-month drop fee is charged if the student withdraws from class after September 15th.

If the course is dropped by Dec. 15th, remaining tuition for the year is due. 

Cash is accepted in a sealed envelope, with student’s name and date

Zelle payments can be sent to tinitiatutors@gmail.com. 

Venmo payments can be sent to @Tinitia-Dodd (If using Venmo, please add $1with monthly tuition, $709/year). 

Paypal payments can be sent to tinitiatutors@gmail.com. If using Paypal, please add $3 with monthly tuition.  

One-time Supply fee: $70 (refundable before Aug. 1st) 

Please Note: 

*Supply fee due upon registration.

*Student is NOT considered registered for class until the supply fee has been paid. 

*Parents supply all novels and supplementary texts. (Must purchase specific edition and text must be unmarked).

*A student who completes this course will be able to receive 1 high school honors credit for English.

“The pen indeed is mightier than the sword, for it is in the written word that we do most powerfully preserve that which is noble and expose that which is evil. And so in great part, the very future of society rests with those who can write, and write well.” Andrew Pudewa