Are you looking for a comprehensive and well-organized literature curriculum for your high schooler? Let me take you through a short overview of Fundamentals of Literature published by BJU Press to see if it may be a good fit for your family.
When we were looking for a quality Christian literature curriculum for freshman year, the BJU Press series came to us highly recommended. The first in the series, Fundamentals of Literature, introduces students to foundational elements of literature, that is conflict, character, theme, points of view, structure, and tone. It also covers a wide range of literary genres, including poetry, drama, and fiction.
One of the strengths of this book is its clear and concise writing style. The authors have a talent for explaining complex literary concepts in a way that is accessible to students of all levels. As English is my, the teacher’s, second language, I especially appreciated this aspect of the curriculum because it gave me more confidence to assist my son in his studies.
One of the unique features of Fundamentals of Literature is its focus on Christian values and worldview. Throughout the book, the authors use literature to explore important moral and spiritual themes. For example, the chapter on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” examines the themes of sin, redemption, and forgiveness even though Hawthorne himself was a religious skeptic.
In addition to its strong focus on Christian values, the book also includes a variety of helpful tools and resources for students. These include study questions at the end of each chapter, vocabulary lists, and writing prompts. There are also numerous examples of literary analysis and critical thinking exercises that help students develop their analytical skills.
Following is a quick summary of Fundamentals of Literature:
- A comprehensive textbook covering a wide range of literary genres
- A clear and concise writing style that is accessible to students of all levels
- Organized into units and chapters that focus on specific works or themes
- Strong focus on Christian values and worldview, using literature to explore important moral and spiritual themes
- Includes helpful tools and resources such as study questions, vocabulary lists, and writing prompts
- Provides numerous examples of literary analysis and critical thinking exercises to help students develop their analytical skills
Fundamentals of Literature also comes with two volumes of Teacher’s Edition and Tests. [Please note that the Answer Key to the Tests must be purchased separately.] Let us now look at these two additions in more detail.
Fundamentals of Literature, Teacher’s Edition:
- Provides additional resources and materials for teachers to use alongside the textbook
- Includes lesson plans, teaching strategies, and assessment tools
- Offers suggestions for discussion questions and activities to engage students in the material
- Provides answers to the study questions in the student textbook
- Offers guidance on how to use the textbook to meet educational standards and objectives
I found the Teacher’s Edition extremely valuable. Its detailed explanation of the literary pieces made my teaching very easy with minimal preparation. It also provided us with additional materials and suggestions for further studies.
Fundamentals of Literature, Tests:
- The Fundamentals of Literature test book contains multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions to assess students’ comprehension and critical thinking skills
- The tests cover all the literary genres and themes addressed in the textbook
- Provides an objective measure of students’ understanding of the material
- Can be used for grading purposes or to identify areas where students may need additional support or instruction
Is Fundamentals of Literature by BJU Press Worth It?
Many argue that this curriculum’s price point turns them from purchasing it, especially if they aim at owning the textbook, two volumes of the teacher’s edition, tests, and test keys. However, all the desired parts of this curriculum can be found pre-owned on sites like eBay for a fraction of their original cost. Even the tests can sometimes be purchased with a discount.
My son took Fundamentals of Literature in 9th grade, which gave him an excellent foundation not only for understanding the elements of literature but also enabled him to take the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP college exam at the age of fifteen. Even though he had to add more knowledge to the BJU curriculum to pass this exam, the strong foundation he received made his future studies much easier.
In Summary
Overall, Fundamentals of Literature is an excellent resource for high school students who are interested in exploring different literary genres and developing their critical thinking skills. The book is well-written and organized and includes a variety of helpful resources that make it easy for students to engage with the material. Its focus on Christian values and worldview is also a valuable addition that sets it apart from other literature textbooks.
