A Beka Literature for Senior High

ElaGrades 9–12

About This Curriculum

A traditional Christian literature curriculum covering classical works and proven literature through four grade-specific courses focusing on themes, world literature, American literature, and English literature.

What makes it unique: Emphasizes classical literature with Christian perspective while requiring minimal teacher supervision for independent student learning.

A Beka Literature for Senior High: Traditional Christian Literature Survey

A Beka Literature for Senior High is a traditional Christian ELA curriculum covering grades 9-12 through four thematic courses focusing on classical and proven literature. The program emphasizes character themes and Christian values while surveying world, American, and English literature chronologically.

Best for

Christian homeschool families or schools seeking a traditional literature survey that emphasizes character development and classical works for grades 9-12, particularly those wanting students to read substantial amounts of great literature with minimal analytical depth.

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 4 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum systematically builds cultural and historical knowledge by organizing literature chronologically and providing historical context for different periods and their influence on literature.

World Literature course presents selections in historical order from Ancient East through Classical Greece, Imperial Rome, Middle Ages, and Renaissance, with commentary on time periods and their effect on literature

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum emphasizes classical and proven literature including challenging works like Beowulf, Chaucer, and Milton, suggesting appropriate text complexity for high school students.

Reviews mention authors such as Tolstoy, Hawthorne, Chaucer, John Milton, and classic works like Beowulf and Macbeth

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsStrength

The curriculum combines anthology excerpts with complete works, requiring students to read full texts like Julius Caesar, The Scarlet Letter, Macbeth, and Pilgrim's Progress alongside anthology selections.

Reviews specifically mention that grades 10-12 read complete texts including Julius Caesar, Silas Marner, The Scarlet Letter, Macbeth, and Pilgrim's Progress in addition to anthology content

Teacher TrainingConcern

While teacher editions are available with lesson presentations and answer keys, there is no indication of comprehensive professional development or training materials.

Reviews mention teacher editions with lesson presentations and answer keys are available, but no mention of training or professional development components

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides teacher editions with complete lesson presentations, though students are expected to read independently with minimal teacher supervision required.

Reviews note that teacher editions include complete lesson presentations on topics like plot and characterization, and the program requires minimal teacher supervision

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes quizzes and tests for assessment, though the frequency and format of retrieval practice is not specified in reviews.

Each course includes quiz and test booklets with answer keys, and reviews mention identification exercises

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The curriculum includes vocabulary support through word lists and explanations of archaic expressions, though the depth of vocabulary instruction is unclear.

Reviews mention vocabulary lists in student texts and 'translations' or explanations for archaic expressions found at the bottom of pages

Writing InstructionNeutral

The curriculum includes composition assignments and writing questions, but the structure and explicitness of writing instruction is not detailed in available reviews.

Reviews mention challenging composition questions at the end of units and discussion questions that can be used for writing assignments

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

As a high school literature curriculum, phonics instruction is not applicable or addressed.

The curriculum is designed for grades 9-12, well beyond the phonics instruction phase

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, exodusbooks.com