English Literature and Composition 1 (SP)

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English Literature and Composition 1 (SP)

Course option: Self-Paced

Grades: 9th- 12th (14+)

Course dates: Available to start from Sept 1 to Dec 1, 2026, | Must be completed by June 30, 2027

Course length: Maximum of 10 months to complete - no extensions granted

Live session: NA

Course size: TBD

Instructor: Christine Proctor

Cost: $800

More about Christine Proctor

Christine Proctor is an avid reader, lifelong supporter of the English language, and an enthusiastic writing coach. After sixteen years of homeschooling her three sons—now grown and pursuing college and careers—Christine transitioned fully into online teaching, where she brings literature and writing to life for students around the country.

Christine holds a degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina and has professional experience as both a news reporter and a copywriter for a national advertising agency. Teaching writing and analysis was a natural next step. Her years of raising three boys with wide-ranging interests expanded her world beyond reading and writing to include art, music, theater, and sports—experiences that continue to inform her teaching and deepen her perspective.

Before joining Blue Tent Online, Christine led poetry, dramatic writing, and storybook art classes through both the homeschool community and her church. Today, she teaches AP and Honors English to a global student base through Blue Tent, where she also facilitates enrichment offerings such as Creative Writing, Aspiring Authors, Journalism Club, and The Zenned Out Student, a course inspired by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos’s Happiness Lab.

From the first edits students receive on their work, Christine’s appreciation for clear, effective, and thoughtful communication is evident. Nothing brings her greater satisfaction than helping students discover their own voices and express complex ideas with confidence and precision.

Feedback on Christine Proctor

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Texts and Materials

Easy Grammar Ultimate Series: 180 Daily Teaching Lessons – Grade 9 Student Workbook, Phillips
Prose & Poetry, Walch Toolbook Series, Helen Ruth Bass and Diane Morrill
MLA Made Easy: Your Concise Guide to the 9th Edition, Hatala
The Synonym Finder, Rodale

Core Reading:

The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson
Lord of the Flies, William Golding
A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry
Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt

Short Stories:

(This is a sample of some of the stories that will be provided online by the instructor)

"The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry
"A Jury of Her Peers," Susan Glaspel
"The Most Dangerous Game," Richard Connell
"The Necklace," Guy de Maupassant.
"The Ransom of Red Chief," O. Henry
"Rip Van Winkle," Washington Irving
“The Scarlet Ibis,” James Hurst

“Christine’s SP English 1 class has been amazing for my son. I emailed her before signing him up because I wasn’t sure she would want a child like mine in her class. He is 2e; gifted, with ADHD, anxiety, and dysgraphia. Writing is his nemesis and he struggles to get his thoughts onto a page. Christine told me if I can keep him on a schedule she’ll do the rest; and she did!!! This 2e kid that used to cry and roll around on the floor as a child if he had to write anything ended up writing poetry that was AMAZING! Because of Christine’s patience and kindness toward him; he never gave up. I never dreamed he could do the things he has done and I think he’s surprised himself! If you have a unique kid that needs reassurance in their abilities Christine will be amazing for your child.”

Course Details

This self-paced English Literature & Composition 1 course is designed for motivated high school students who want both academic rigor and scheduling freedom. It offers the same curriculum, expectations, and depth of feedback as Blue Tent’s live and asynchronous Honors English classes—without weekly due dates.

Students move through literature, writing, and language study at a pace that fits their lives, whether they are pursuing athletics, the arts, travel, entrepreneurship, or simply thrive when given ownership of their time.

As students read complete works such as Lord of the Flies and A Raisin in the Sun, along with carefully selected short stories and poetry, they will examine how authors use literary strategies to communicate universal ideas.

Writing instruction is closely tied to reading and focuses on developing clear, supported arguments, confident paragraph structure, and precise language usage. Grammar, punctuation, and MLA formatting are reinforced throughout the year.

Why This Class?

A self-paced course at Blue Tent Online functions much like having a private English tutor:

✍️ Individualized, instructor-written feedback on every writing assignment, big and small
🧭 Flexible pacing without artificial deadlines—ideal for students managing demanding passions
🤝 One-on-one assessment meetings every six weeks (or six topics) to check progress, set goals, and maintain momentum
📚 The same academic standards and expectations as Honors English at Blue Tent

Students are never left guessing where they stand. Regular check-ins keep them accountable while preserving autonomy.

Format

Instruction, assignments, quizzes, and tests are completed in an online classroom.
This is a teacher-graded course; all assignments receive detailed, personalized feedback from the instructor.
Estimated Weekly Time: 5–7 hours (varies by pacing)
See our FAQs for:
- age/grade guidelines, prerequisites, and class fit recommendations
- a complete list of days, times, and breaks
- a list of CA charter schools where this course is a-g approved

Course Goals

By the end of this course, students will:

Develop strong close-reading skills, analyzing fiction, drama, poetry, and nonfiction with attention to diction, structure, and authorial choice
Write clear, well-supported literary analysis, moving beyond plot summary to explanation and insight
Practice essential academic writing conventions, including literary present tense, effective quote integration, and MLA formatting
Strengthen revision skills through instructor feedback, modeled examples, and targeted rewriting
Grow as independent, self-directed learners, managing long-term pacing, sustaining momentum, and preparing for honors-level and AP English coursework