Course Description

    British Literature is probably the most intricate and complex literature course a high school student will study, but it is also very rewarding.  The long life of the British Empire has allowed its literature to trace not only the development of the English language itself, but also the development of the culture of English-speaking people.  With the likes of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Shelley, Dickens, Bronte, Milton and so many more acknowledged masters, the literature of Britain stands as a challenge and an inspiration for serious students of literature, language, or human kind.

You may download the Scope & Sequence here:

British LIterature: Scope and Sequence


As a survey course, the class will include an overview of British literature from early Anglo-Saxon to the early Modern era. The literary gems of each age will be properly set in a historical applications for a better understanding of the social and historical context of the readings. A unique focus of this course will be an enhanced understanding of literary criticism and its place in literature. As they interact with the literature, wrestle with it, are inspired by it, students will grow in their ability to analyze and appreciate the themes and ideas these foundational authors present.

Industria est initium sapientiae. Work is the beginning of wisdom!

Author & Educator

Cara Shelton

Miss Cara received a Bachelor of Arts in English from CSU, Northridge, where she graduated magna cum laude. A lifelong bibliophile, Miss Cara has been teaching Literature and English Composition courses for over twenty years now, finding that getting students talking about Literature is just as rewarding as reading it! Outside of the classroom, Miss Cara and her husband are co-ringmasters of their own "Family Circus," recently having graduated the last of their children from their own homeschool. Author of several children's books, and co-author of a set of devotional books (with her sister), Miss Cara is excited to provide literature courses that will empower parents, teachers, and students to take education into their own hands!Not all Rigor is Mortis!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to the course!

  • 2

    Quarter 1 - Teacher

    • Teacher's Guide and Lesson Key, Quarter 1
  • 3

    Lesson #1 - The Beginning: Anglo-Saxons & Beowulf

    • Brit Lit Discussion 1

    • Parts of Speech Pre-Quiz

    • Unit1VocabList

    • Homework_Wk1

    • A Fast and Furious Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England
  • 4

    Lesson #2 - Beowulf and the Roots of Modern English

    • ReadingQz_wk2

    • Brit Lit Discussion 2.1

    • VocabCrossword

    • InClassWork_Week2Faeder Ure

    • SenseofStyle_lesson1Apostrophes

    • InClassWork_Beowulf in Translation

    • BritLit Discussion 2.2

    • Homework_Wk2
  • 5

    Lesson #3 - Beowulf & the Hero's Journey

    • Reading Comp. Quiz, Lesson 3

    • Brit Lit Discussion 3.1

    • In Class "Hero's Journey of Beowulf" Lesson 3

    • Vocab Magic Square_Unit1

    • Sense of Style_CommonCommas

    • BritLitDiscussion3.2

    • Homework, Lesson 3

    • Reading Packet, Assigned Week 3

    • Prologue Memorization Homework
  • 6

    Lesson #4 - Chaucer's Pilgrims

    • FastFuriousIntroCanterburyTales.pdf

    • Reading Quiz Lesson 4:Cant. Tales Prologue

    • Brit Lit Discussion_4.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson4_Pilgrims

    • VocabSpiral_Unit1

    • SenseofStyle_lesson3CommasIndepClauses

    • Brit Lit Discussion_4.2

    • ReadingPacket_AssignmentforWeek4

    • Homework_Wk4

    • Conloquio Magno
  • 7

    Lesson #5 - Chaucer's Pilgrims & the Tales They Tell

    • ReadingQuiz_Wk5.CantTalesMarriageTales

    • Brit Lit Discussion 5.1

    • Sense of Style: Colons

    • I HAVE WHO HAS game for Vocab Unit 1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson5_MarriageTales

    • BLDiscussion_5.2

    • ReadingPacket_AssignmentforWeek6

    • Homework_Wk5
  • 8

    Lesson #6 - The Magna Charta & Sir Gaiwan's Knight

    • ReadingQuiz_Wk6

    • BritLitDiscussion_6.1

    • VocabQuiz-Unit1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson6_MagnaChartaBillofRights

    • SenseofStyle_lesson5

    • BritLitDiscussion_6.2

    • Homework_Wk6
  • 9

    Lesson #7 - Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 1 & 2

    • ReadingCompQuiz_HamletActIandII

    • BritLitDiscussion_7.1

    • FastandFuriousFactsShakespeareandHamlet.pdf

    • Unit2_VocabCrossword

    • SenseofStyle_lesson6

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 7

    • BritLitDiscussion_7.2

    • Homework_Wk7
  • 10

    Lesson #8 - Hamlet, Act 3

    • BritLitDiscussion_8.1

    • ReadingCompQuiz_HamletActIII

    • SenseofStyle_lesson7IfThatistheCase

    • Vocabulary Bingo Game_Unit2_BritLit

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 8

    • BritLitDiscussion_8.2

    • Homework_Wk8
  • 11

    Quarter 2 - Teacher

    • Quarter 2 Teacher Guide
  • 12

    Lesson #9-Hamlet's Finale, and a Film Comparison

    • ReadingCompQuiz_HamletActIVandV

    • BritLit Discussion 9.1

    • VocabSpiral_Unit2

    • In-ClassWork_FilmComparison_Lesson 9

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 9

    • SenseofStyle_lesson8WatchThatPhrase

    • Homework_Wk9

    • Reading Packet for Homework, Week 9

    • BritLit Discussion 9.2
  • 13

    Lesson #10 - Satire from Modest Proposal to the Onion

    • ReadingCompQuiz_ModestProposal

    • Brit Lit Discussion 10.1

    • VocabQuiz-Unit2

    • Unit3_VocabList

    • SenseofStyle_lesson9_StandUpStraightForminComposition

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 10

    • Brit Lit Discussion 10.2

    • Homework_Wk10
  • 14

    Lesson #11 - Frankenstein and His Creature. Who is the Monster?

    • ReadingCompQuiz_FrankensteinPt1

    • Brit Lit Discussion 11.1

    • Unit3Vocab_Crossword

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 11

    • SenseofStyle_lesson10_OptimisticWriting

    • Brit Lit Discussion 11.2

    • Homework_Wk11
  • 15

    Lesson #12 - Frankenstein, Pt. 2

    • ReadingCompQuiz_FrankensteinPt2

    • Brit Lit Discussion 12.1

    • IHAVEWHOHAS_VocabUnit3

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 12

    • SenseofStyle_lesson11_TrimtheFatLeanProse

    • Brit Lit Discussion 12.2

    • Homework_Wk12
  • 16

    Lesson #13 - Finishing Frankenstein

    • ReadingCompQuiz_FrankensteinPt3

    • Brit Lit Discussion 13.1

    • Unit3Vocab_Wordsearch

    • SenseofStyle_lesson12_ParallelConstruction_PowerfulSecretWeapon

    • ReadingPacket_AssignmentforWeek13

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 13

    • Brit Lit Discussion 13.2

  • 17

    Lesson #14: The Romantics and Their Powerful Poetry

    • BritLit Discussion 14.1

    • SemesterExam!

    • Homework_Wk14

    • Brit Lit Discussion 14.2
  • 18

    Quarter Three Teacher Guide

    • Teacher Guide & Answer Key, Quarter 3
  • 19

    Lesson #15 - Meeting Miss Eyre. Settings 1 & 2: Gateshead & Lowood

    • ReadingCompQuiz_JaneEyrePt1

    • Brit Lit Discussion 15.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 15

    • SenseofStyle_lesson13_OrderOrderOrder

    • Unit4_VocabList

    • Unit4_Vocab_WordsearchPuzzle

    • Homework_Wk15

    • Brit Lit Discussion 15.2
  • 20

    Lesson #16 - Miss Eyre's Trap: Thornfield Hall

    • ReadingCompQuiz_JaneEyrePt2

    • Brit Lit Discussion 16.1

    • InclassWork_ Jane and Rochester

    • SenseofStyle_lesson14_dontBeTense

    • Unit4_Vocab_DoublePuzzle

    • Homework_Wk16

    • BritLit Discussion 16.2
  • 21

    Lesson #17: Finding Miss Eyre: From Moor House to Ferndean

    • ReadingCompQuiz_JaneEyrePt3

    • Brit Lit Discussion 17.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 17

    • SenseofStyle_lesson15_BuildItUp

    • Unit4_Vocab_CrosswordPuzzle

    • Homework_Wk17

    • Brit Lit Discussion 17.2
  • 22

    Lesson #18: Charles Dicken's Tale of Two Cities, Introducing the Ideas

    • ReadingCompQuiz_TTC_Pt1

    • Brit Lit Discussion 18.1

    • VocabQuiz-Unit4

    • Unit5_VocabList

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 18

    • SenseofStyle_lesson16_

    • Homework_Wk18

    • ConloquioMagnoSemester2

    • BritLit Discussion 18.2
  • 23

    Lesson #19: Tale of Two Cities: The Setup

    • ReadingCompQuiz_TTC_Pt2

    • Brit Lit Discussion 19.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 19

    • Vocabulary Bingo Game_Unit5_BritLit

    • SenseofStyle_lesson17

    • Homework_Wk19

    • Brit Lit Discussion 19.2
  • 24

    Lesson #20: Tale of Two Cities: The Inescapable

    • ReadingCompQuiz_TTC_Pt3

    • Brit Lit Discussion 20.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 20

    • SenseofStyle_lesson18

    • Unit5Vocab_Crossword

    • Homework_Wk20

    • Brit Lit Discussion 20.2
  • 25

    Lesson #21: Tale of Two Cities: Redemption

    • ReadingCompQuiz_TTC_Pt4

    • Brit Lit Discussion 21.1

    • VocabQuiz-Unit5

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 21

    • SenseofStyle_lesson19

    • Unit6^07_VocabList

    • Homework_Wk21_ReadingPacket

    • Brit Lit Discussion 21.2
  • 26

    Quarter 4 Teacher Guide & Answer Key

    • Teacher Guide & Answer Key for Quarter 4
  • 27

    Lesson #22: Sherlock Holmes and a Cup of Tea

    • ReadingCompQuiz_HolmesandTea

    • BritLit Discussion 22.1 (FUZZY WARNING! :O )

    • SenseofStyle_lesson20

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 22

    • VocabPuzzle_Units 6&7

    • Homework_Wk22RwaV

    • Brit Lit Discussion 22.2
  • 28

    Lesson #23: A Room with a View, pt 1

    • ReadingCompQuiz_RWAV_Pt1

    • Brit Lit Discussion 23.1

    • SenseofStyle_lesson22

    • Vocabulary Bingo Game_Unit6^07_BritLit

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 23RWVA

    • Homework_Wk23RwaV

    • Brit Lit Discussion 23.2
  • 29

    Lesson #24: A Room with a View, finale.

    • ReadingCompQuiz_RWAV_Pt2

    • Brit Lit Discussion 24.1

    • SenseofStyle_lesson22

    • VocabPuzzle_Unit6^07

    • In-Class Work Room with a View, Lesson 24

    • Brit Lit Discussion 24.2

    • Homework and ReadingPacket_AssignmentWk24 (due Week25)
  • 30

    Lesson #25: The Modernists (short stories & poetry)

    • ReadingCompQuiz_Modernists

    • Brit Lit Discussion 25.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 25

    • Yeats-Explaining his poem Lake Isle Innisfree

    • Dylan Thomas reading "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"

    • SenseofStyle_lesson23

    • VocabularyMemoryGame_Unit6^07

    • ReadingPacketandHomework_Week25_Pygmalion

    • Brit Lit Discussion 25.2
  • 31

    Lesson #26: My Fair...Pygmalion. George Bernard Shaw's Social Commentary.

    • ReadingCompQuiz_Pgymalion

    • Brit Lit Discussion 26.1

    • VocabQuiz-Unit6^07

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 26

    • SenseofStyle_lesson24

    • Unit8_VocabList

    • Homework and Reading Packet_Week26

    • Brit Lit Discussion 26.2
  • 32

    Lesson #27: Essays and Speeches - the Voices of England

    • ReadingCompQuiz_EssaysSpeeches

    • Brit Lit Discussion 27.1

    • SenseofStyle_lesson25

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 27

    • BritLit Unit 8 VocabCrosswordPuzzle

    • Homework & ReadingPacket_ChildrensLitExcerpts

    • Brit Lit Discussion 27.2
  • 33

    Lesson #28: The Children's Literature of Britain - Short Stories

    • ReadingCompQuiz_ChildrensShorts

    • Brit Lit Discussion 28.1

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 28

    • Jemima Puddle Duck Read Aloud by Miss Cara

    • Mrs. Tiggy Winkle Read ALoud by Miss Cara

    • SenseofStyle_lesson26

    • Vocab Magic Square_Unit8

    • Homework LWW Wk28

    • Brit Lit Discussion 28.2
  • 34

    Lesson #29-The Children's Literature of Britain: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, pt 1

    • ReadingCompQuiz_LWWPt1

    • Brit Lit Discussion 29.1

    • SenseofStyle_lesson27

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 29

    • IHAVEWHOHAS_VocabUnit8

    • Homework LWW Part 2 Wk29

    • Brit Lit Discussion 29.2
  • 35

    Lesson #30: Children's Lit: The Lion, Witch, & the Wardrobe in Production

    • Brit Lit Discussion 30: Wrap-Up & Farewell for Now!

    • SemesterExam2

    • In-ClassWork_Lesson 30