English 1-2 – American Literature Focus (Updated for 2026-27)
Instructor: Jana Loose; 425-232-7423; [email protected]
English Composition and Grammar credit Grade: 9th -12th (1 Credit)
Fees: $35 per month Supply Fee: $10/semester (printing)
Course Description: We will read a variety of American authors past and present and write a
variety of response papers for the majority of the readings. We will focus on the five common
topics (definition, comparison, circumstance, relationship, and authority) to discuss and refine
our chosen topics for writing. We will also discuss grammar rules, mechanics, and other good
writing practices. Alternate reading lists will be provided for those who have read the
primary literature list. In addition, if there is a majority of students who have taken this
class before, I reserve the right to move to the next level of The Lost Tools of Writing
(Level Two).
Textbooks:
1) The Lost Tools of Writing Level One Student Workbook by Circe Institute.
https://circeinstitute.org/product/ltw-1-student-workbook/
The student will need the workbook and extra pages of the “invention” page. We will use this
workbook as our basis for all of our essays during the year. In the second semester, we will also
complete an informative research paper.
2) Additionally, we will be reading approximately 8 books and stories. Used, unabridged copies
are fine. Please let me know if you have difficulty finding titles. I truly love to hunt for books! We
may not write a paper on every book or story, but we will discuss them in class.
I will give two weeks’ notice to allow time to acquire the book. The first book we will read (bring
to class on the first day) is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
*The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
*Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
*The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Our Town by Thornton Wilder
*To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
*A Louis L’Amour novel for a taste of the Wild West
One or two titles may be added at a later date.
Instructor: Jana Loose; 425-232-7423; [email protected]
English Composition and Grammar credit Grade: 9th -12th (1 Credit)
Fees: $35 per month Supply Fee: $10/semester (printing)
Course Description: We will read a variety of American authors past and present and write a
variety of response papers for the majority of the readings. We will focus on the five common
topics (definition, comparison, circumstance, relationship, and authority) to discuss and refine
our chosen topics for writing. We will also discuss grammar rules, mechanics, and other good
writing practices. Alternate reading lists will be provided for those who have read the
primary literature list. In addition, if there is a majority of students who have taken this
class before, I reserve the right to move to the next level of The Lost Tools of Writing
(Level Two).
Textbooks:
1) The Lost Tools of Writing Level One Student Workbook by Circe Institute.
https://circeinstitute.org/product/ltw-1-student-workbook/
The student will need the workbook and extra pages of the “invention” page. We will use this
workbook as our basis for all of our essays during the year. In the second semester, we will also
complete an informative research paper.
2) Additionally, we will be reading approximately 8 books and stories. Used, unabridged copies
are fine. Please let me know if you have difficulty finding titles. I truly love to hunt for books! We
may not write a paper on every book or story, but we will discuss them in class.
I will give two weeks’ notice to allow time to acquire the book. The first book we will read (bring
to class on the first day) is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
*The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
*Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
*The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Our Town by Thornton Wilder
*To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
*A Louis L’Amour novel for a taste of the Wild West
One or two titles may be added at a later date.
