Something to keep in mind as the 2014-2015 school term begins:
The classes that I teach to groups of homeschoolers begin tomorrow. This entire week will be a madhouse!
This year, the rotation for high school literature is British Literature. We will begin the term with a study of
Beowulf. Other readings for this term, in addition to the anthology textbook, which contains a great deal of rather difficult poetry: John Bunyan's
Pilgrim's Progress, William Shakespeare's
Richard III, and Charles Dickens's
Hard Times.
I will also be teaching Grammar and Mechanics, Advanced Composition, American History, SAT Verbal Prep, Latin 3, Spanish 5, and Middle School Literature-Composition. This class line-up reflects a reduction in the courses I offer. I'm not getting any younger and need to be careful not to commit myself to course overload.
Many students new to the group have enrolled, and they will suffer a bit of a shock the first month. These classes are intense — as am I as a teacher.
Anyway, on September 2, we're off and running.