Course Details:
- Pre-recorded video lessons
- Learners Work at Their Own Pace
- 1 year of access to interactive curriculum
- 1 seat per section
- Learners have access to the full course right away
- Activity & completion reports offered
- Materials
The teacher will provide all materials.
Long Story Short: Interactive Literature & Bible
$135.00
- Online Curriculum
- Yearlong Curriculum
- Bible, English Language Arts
- High School, Adult
Section Options / Enroll:
- Description
- Lesson Schedule
- Class Intro Video
- A Biblical Worldview
- The Lemons-Aid Way
- Teacher Bios
- Outschool
- Request a Section
- Reviews (0)
Description
Introduction:
We love stories because they reveal aspects of the human condition. Literature makes people think deeply about life. We study literature while applying a biblical lens to that human condition, which is practice for applying biblical principles in our own lives. We don’t just tack on a verse of scripture in our curriculum; instead, we are diving deep into the Bible first to establish and understand what God’s word says about life and the human condition. Then we practice how to live a biblical life by analyzing and evaluating literature according to precepts in the Bible. Additionally, older, classical literature is written with rich vocabulary, beautiful imagery, layered themes, and complex sentence structures; further, they contain ideas that make us ponder ourselves and our world deeply. When we study classic literature through a biblical worldview, we can better understand our world and strengthen our Christian perspective on life. The stories chosen in this curriculum have some value of beauty in regard to the literature and help us bring out important biblical principles.
Short stories are special.
Short literature quickly introduces us to characters, settings, conflicts, and themes that relate to our lives. These authors are a special breed as well, able to craft a satisfying, thought-provoking story that we can read in one sitting. Stories reflect life and help us understand God and see ourselves and the world in which we live correctly when understood from a biblical perspective. In this course, we will use classic short stories to learn how to analyze literary devices, figurative language, story elements, characterization, theme, etc. while thinking about and discussing essential questions.
Yearlong Interactive Curriculum:
This is online, interactive curriculum. Learners will write and complete assignments, quizzes, watch videos, and complete tasks. If all 26 weeks are completed, this course serves as an entire year of high school literature. In most weeks, students study one story. Some weeks covers two stories in order to compare and contrast. We encourage parent involvement. You will have fantastic conversations, I promise!
We have a LIVE VERSION! Join us in once-weekly live meetings to discuss the literature with your peers.
A Snapshot of One Week of Work:
- Students study and ponder essential questions:
- What is the difference between infatuation and love?
- What effect does infatuation have on the mind and heart?
- Students study the Bible. This includes scripture reading, watching a video lesson, or other interactive activities to build a foundation of biblical knowledge of important precepts that inform the answers to the essential questions. For instance, to answer those two essential questions, we read Judges 14 about Samson and the Philistine woman who seemed “right in his own eyes.” He was infatuated! Then we read Hosea 3 about Gomer and Hosea, a story of agape love that will move the hearts of readers as we see a picture of the gospel! Students hear video teaching from Mrs. Lemons to help them understand how these precepts relate to teenagers.
- Learners continue their preparation for reading with interactive activities. For example, they may learn new vocabulary with an interactive activity and quiz. They may learn some important piece of context, a few idioms, or literary elements. Last, they read a mini-biography on the author.
- Finally, learners read the story. The story text and audiobook are always provided to help with comprehension. Remember, we are reading classic literature and these stories are written at the upper high school level.
- Next, students dive deeper into the literature. In this case, they study the vast religious allusions in “Araby.” They go back and read the story again, annotating and exploring in close-reading activities.
- Students evaluate the story as a piece of literature, both for its beauty and value as a piece of entertainment.
- Last, students respond to the literature through writing. This is their final opportunity to think through the material and synthesize all they have learned into a coherent response to given prompts related to the essential questions. With the student’s permission, this writing may be anonymously posted to the Lemons-Aid website as an example of how to read secular, classical literature from a biblical worldview. Students are writing to a real audience and should do their best.
- Quizzes are sprinkled throughout the coursework.
- Teacher feedback and grading on student work can be purchased separately.
Doctrinal Statement
We have adopted The Master’s Seminary Doctrinal Statement. Learn more about Karen Lemons, the course author.
Parental Guidance:
***While we read many touching and sweet stories, others have mature themes, such as murder, violence, suicide, revenge, alcohol, death, prejudices, racism, guilt, betrayal, etc., and are intended for mature secondary students. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale, “The Cask of Amontillado,” the main character is a murderer getting revenge. He takes a drunken man down to a cellar and buries him alive. We read everything with a biblical worldview, so in this example, students learn what the Bible says about taking revenge, the potential for wickedness in men, and the dangers of drunkenness. We study a heavy dose of Proverbs with this particular story. I avoid stories with sexual themes as well as modern stories. The stories we do read are classics and most–if not all–were written a century ago or longer and are commonly read in high schools. They help students understand the world in which they live as they ponder deep questions that are as relevant now as they were then. Stories are written with a Lexile score between 700-1400. I encourage students to talk to their parents about the stories and the issues they study in the lessons.***
Classic Short Literature
You have access to all of the curriculum at once, so study in the order you choose, skip stories, or do a few twice!
- “Ruthless” by William de Mille
- “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
- “Araby” by James Joyce and “Witches’ Loaves” by O. Henry
- “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
- “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov
- “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathanial Hawthorne
- “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain
- “The Body Snatcher” by Robert Louis Stevenson
- “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe
- “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl
- “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving
- “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl
- “The Reluctant Dragon” by Kenneth Grahame
- “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” by anonymous (Arabian Nights)
- “A New England Nun” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
- “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce
- “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
- “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe
- “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor
- “The Masque of Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
- “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell
- “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
- “The Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury
- “A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry
- “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe
- “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
- “A Case of Identity” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula Le Guin
- “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry
Class Introduction Video
Coming soon
Taught From a Christian Perspective
Our mission is to equip learners’ minds and shepherd their hearts. We want them to have saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and then develop a biblical worldview. This means they view their world, themselves, and God in a way that aligns with what the Bible teaches. This brings great peace and understanding to the believer because we serve a good, sovereign God. This course is taught with these goals in mind. In class, we may pray, read scripture, and discuss how to view the content from a Christian perspective.
We have adopted The Master’s Seminary Doctrinal Statement.
ENGLISH:
The most essential reason people must become competent readers is to read the word of God. This is how God communicates with His people, and literacy is critical for developing a biblical worldview. Competent readers can engage in the Word of God and other texts with much thinking and reflection. Readers should be able to decode, understand, remember, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, make inferences, make connections, and apply learning from reading to other subject areas and the rest of life. Readers grow in knowledge and wisdom and can let the Word of God renew their minds and transform their hearts, becoming thinkers who can engage the world for Christ.
When writing, we are turning ideas into words that communicate. Written communication should be functional, truthful, orderly, coherent, creative, and beautiful, all traits present in God’s written words in the Bible, which we want to emulate.
Communication skills are essential for believers. The communication skills taught in English will help learners communicate with others and to be confident public speakers. These skills are essential when sharing the gospel message. Our voices are tools that help us show Jesus to others as we witness to the world through what we say–and what we don’t say (see Colossians 4:6, James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:29, and Proverbs 10:19). We serve a creative God who has given us all kinds of tools to help communicate His message.
LITERATURE:
Stories often serve as powerful vehicles for truth. For example, the prophet Nathan used a parable to reveal King David’s sin in 1 Samuel 12:1-4. Similarly, Jesus frequently used parables to teach profound spiritual lessons. Literature clearly offers timeless insights that reflect the complexities of life, guiding us toward His wisdom and understanding.
All truth is God’s truth. Even unbelievers use universal themes in their writing that clearly point to deeper truths about life and the human condition. For example, authors often use theme concepts related to justice, love, or integrity. These concepts reveal a glimpse of God’s truth– whether the author acknowledges it or not–because all truth originates from God (John 17:17).
Throughout English and literature courses, learners will read about individuals who made flawed decisions. As Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Literature provides a window into humanity’s fallen nature, allowing students to learn from the mistakes and successes of characters. By engaging with literature, students will gain timeless insights into the complexities of life, as reflected in Proverbs 2:6: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
MATH:
God has created our brains with the ability to study and comprehend amazing, complex things! Math is such a unique subject to study and master. We can see math in God’s creation, and we can appreciate His order through the complex skills we learn.
CODING / TECH:
The fact that humans have the knowledge and ingenuity to create something as complex as the Internet and the various languages and protocols that make it work is a testament to God’s role as the Creator. It is further proof that we were created in His image and given just a small fraction of His abilities to serve as stewards of His world.
MUSIC:
Celebrating God’s Creation Through Music
Music is a beautiful part of God’s creation. Students learn to appreciate its complexity and beauty, reflecting Psalm 150:4, “Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; praise Him with the strings and pipe.”
Using Talents for God’s Glory
Inspired by the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), this course encourages children to discover and develop their musical gifts, teaching them to use these talents to glorify God and serve others.
Building a Musical Community
Reflecting Romans 12:4-5, group activities foster a sense of unity and teamwork, helping students appreciate and respect each other’s musical abilities.
Expressing Faith Through Music
Colossians 3:16 guides students to use their musical skills for worship, enhancing their participation in church and personal devotion, making music a powerful form of expressing their faith.
Developing Musical Discipline
Hebrews 12:11 highlights the importance of discipline. Consistent practice in music teaches perseverance and dedication, valuable traits for spiritual growth and character development.
Embracing God’s Creativity
Ephesians 2:10 encourages creativity. Through composing and performing music, students reflect the creative nature of God, understanding their musical creations as a reflection of His image.
A Holistic Musical Journey
Musical Explorers integrates musical education with biblical principles, nurturing both musical skills and spiritual growth. Your child will grow as a musician and a young believer, equipped to see and appreciate the world from a biblical perspective through the lens of music. Join us on this enriching journey!
SPANISH:
Nelson Mandela once said, “If you speak to a man in a language he understands, you speak to his head. If you speak to him in his language, you speak to his heart.” The purpose of learning a language is to communicate, which means knowing vocabulary, phrases, and verbal and non-verbal cues to meet needs and share ideas with those who speak the language. There are many benefits to learning a second language, such as increasing memory and attention span, opening more career options, and even improving cognition in the later years of life. While these reasons matter, at Lemons-Aid, our top focus in learning a language is to meet the Great Commission as stated in Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV),
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The ability to speak two or more languages widens the ministry field and helps create better connections and meaning for people.
SCIENCE
Our mission is to equip learners’ minds with knowledge of God’s creation. Each lesson features a Bible verse about God’s creation and the lesson topic. This allows students to learn more about the world while ensuring they develop a Biblical worldview. Through learning about and appreciating God’s creation, we learn more about God and grow closer to him. Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things were created through him and for him.” All creation points to God, as Psalm 1:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
These courses help learners view entrepreneurship through the lens of God’s design for creativity, stewardship, and serving others. From a biblical perspective, entrepreneurship is more than just making money—it’s about using our God-given talents to meet the needs of others, solve problems, and bring value to the world. Genesis 1:27 reminds us that we are made in God’s image, and just as God is the ultimate Creator, He has gifted us with the ability to create and work with purpose.
Throughout our entrepreneurship and business courses, students learn how to take the gifts and passions God has given them and turn those into something that serves others, echoing the command in 1 Peter 4:10 to “use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” As they develop their business ideas, they are encouraged to think about how their product or service can be a blessing to their community, reflecting the biblical call to love and serve our neighbors.
The deeper significance lies in realizing that business, like every other aspect of life, can be an act of worship and a way to fulfill God’s command to work diligently (Colossians 3:23), honor Him with our resources (Proverbs 3:9), and love others through service (Galatians 5:13).
THEATER:
Communication skills are essential for believers. The skills taught in this class will help learners gain confidence in speaking in front of others. These skills are essential when sharing the gospel message. Theater helps learners prepare for the unexpected. Likewise, 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to be “instant in season and out.” We never know when God will give us an opportunity to share his message with others! Our voices are tools which help us show Jesus to others as we witness to the world through what we say–and what we don’t say (see Colossians 4:6, James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:29, and Proverbs 10:19). We serve a creative God who has given us all kinds of tools to help communicate His message.
SOCIAL STUDIES (history, government, economics):
This is in our hearts and minds and we’re working to get it written down for you! Stay tuned. This section is in the works.
✨ 🍋 ✨ Why Lemons-Aid? ✨ 🍋 ✨
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW: The Bible, infallible and inerrant, is the very written word of God, who has revealed Himself to man. The Bible is like the light we cast on all content areas in order to understand it, whether that be literature, physical science, history, or geometry. Students learn all content through a Biblical lens. Theology is important for understanding all subject areas. We carefully curate courses that capture learners’ imagination while pointing them to God through sound doctrine. THIS is most important!
EXPLICIT TEACHING: We understand the skills and concepts students need to learn and know how to teach them. Lemons-Aid’s materials are top-notch, organized, and clear for students and parents to understand. We are especially skilled at breaking down a complicated process into understandable parts. Further, explicit instruction is “a structured, systematic, and effective methodology for teaching academic skills. It is called explicit because it is an unambiguous and direct approach to teaching that includes both instructional design and delivery procedures. Explicit instruction is characterized by a series of supports or scaffolds, whereby students are guided through the learning process with clear statements about the purpose and rationale for learning the new skill, clear explanations and demonstrations of the instructional target, and supported practice with feedback until independent mastery has been achieved.”
- Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching by Anita L. Archer and Charles A. Hughes.
Anita Archer trained Mrs. Lemons in workshops, and it changed her teaching. Read a little more about the research behind explicit teaching here and here.
DO HARD THINGS. Boost your confidence, master new skills, learn new concepts. This takes a commitment to do hard things. Like the standards we have for our teachers, we also expect our learners to do hard things, whether that means they stand firm in their convictions, learn geometry, write an essay, or give an oral presentation. You can do hard things!
STUDY THE BEAUTIFUL
We are surrounded by the mediocre, which is not good! We see this in expectations at some schools, the poor customer service at a store, and even architecture like in a gray, uninspiring complex of high-occupancy housing.
In contrast, we are surrounded by the beautiful, which is good! We see the beautiful in classic literature, music, and beautiful architecture like pictured here.
The mediocre demoralizes learners while the beautiful inspires.
At Lemons-Aid Learning, we study the beautiful: classic literature, artful sentence construction, art, poetry, maths, God’s hand in all of history, and God’s very creation. His creation glorifies Him, and in our study of all content areas, we learn about who God is.
We do not compromise. This means we don’t choose a graphic novel of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We read the original play. We know how to make the complexity and beauty of classic study approachable and understandable to a modern audience. It’s more difficult, but worth the effort!
For over a century, progressive education reform has been “anti-content,” which means they de-emphasize rich content and focus instructional time on things such as self-esteem and “skills” they hope will benefit a learner in the future. This is why American kids do so poorly in testing compared to nations with content-rich curricula. We want our learners to increase in knowledge and grow in wisdom, which our content-area experts foster while teaching.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
We serve the Lord and we work hard for families. We work to give quick responses to questions, authentic and careful feedback, and to solve any conflict. As home educators ourselves, familiar with the joys and struggles of teaching our own children, we can relate! We are supporting families, equipping learners, and serving Christ. We are 100% devoted to Him and to you!
To read more about our teaching and learning methods, read our blogs, written by our teachers and staff.
Meet Karen Lemons
#High-Energy #Skilled #Experienced #Relational #Fun
Karen, the designer of this course, is the Founder of Lemons-Aid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, a minor in Education, and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Liberty University. With a teaching certificate and a principal’s license in both Washington and Colorado, she has many years of experience teaching English Language Arts and History / Social Studies at the middle school and high school levels. Additionally, she is TESOL and TEFL certified and enjoys teaching English Language Learners from all over the world. She has worked in private and public schools at every level and is currently an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University, supervising teacher candidates in their undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. She is a teacher of teachers. A homeschool mom herself, she admits that teaching other people’s kids is easier than teaching her own teenage boys! She lives in the Denver, Colorado area where she cheers on the Broncos, Avs, and the Rockies, but her favorite athletes are her own kids who play hockey and baseball!
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