The
philosophy of the English Department at V.L.T. Academy High School is to
increase our students’ awareness of the world around them through the study of
reading and the practice of writing. It
is our hope that the unique diversity of this English curriculum will foster,
in our students, a love of life-long learning.
Ms. Tahnee Keyes
Email: tahnee.keyes@vltacademy.com
Phone: 513-421-1129,
ext. 2100
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Hello! I am Ms. Tahnee
Keyes and I teach high school Language Arts here at V.L.T. Academy. I am a graduate from the University of
Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, concentrating in Language Arts.
I am a lover of reading, music, movies, and musical theatre. It is my goal as a teacher to show students
that everyone has potential to do great things in Language Arts.
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Ms. Patricia Gilsdorf
Email: patricia.gilsdorf@vltacademy.com
Phone: 513-421-1129,
ext. 2100
|
I am a first year teacher here at the V.L.T. Academy. I
spent the last three years teaching 9th, 10th, and 11th
graders at Mt. Healthy High School. I am excited to join a team that is student-focused
and passionate about education.
I graduated from Miami University and returned last summer
to begin my masters in English which I will complete next summer. I am
constantly searching for new and interesting things to add to our classroom
I love being outdoors and watching college football…Go
Bucks! My favorite time of year is March Madness which I consider better than
Christmas. I am eager to get to know
my new students when they arrive. This year is full of promise.
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Teaching Assignments:
Honors/AP Requirements:
Honors
English I
Elective
One
semester/ one credit
Prerequisite:
Placement based off of OAT scores and teacher recommendation.
The one-semester course will examine and analyze
the continued development in literature, language, and composition. This
course is designed for the dedicated student who plans to continue taking
accelerated classes that lead to Advanced Placement English. Students will read works by Dickens,
Shakespeare, and others, as well as short stories, poetry and essays.
Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis and interpretation of literature,
and composition skills, including the personal narrative and persuasive
writing. This is a college prep course that motivates rising high school
students to experience undergraduate life both academically and socially.
Honors
English II
Elective
One
semesters/ one credit
Prerequisite:
A or B in Honors English I or teacher recommendation
The one-semester course will examine and analyze student-designed
projects and papers while working in small groups to discuss literature at a
higher level. Honors English II is a
sophomore level English class for the serious student who plans to continue
taking AP or Honors courses. Students
will focus on the lessons of history from central texts such as Julius Caesar, To Kill a Mockingbird, Night and various short stories from our
literature textbook. This is a college prep course that
motivates rising high school students to experience undergraduate life both
academically and socially.
Honors
English III
Elective
One
semesters/ one credit
Prerequisite:
A or B in Honors English II or teacher recommendation
The one-semester course will examine and analyze the
high-level study of literature and writing. Particular concentration will be focused on
British literature and advanced-level analysis. Honors English III is a junior level English
class for the serious student who plans to continue taking AP or Honors courses. Central works include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1984, and Hamlet. This is a college
prep course that motivates rising high school students to experience
undergraduate life both academically and socially.
Honors
English IV
Elective
One
semester/ one credit
Prerequisite:
A or B in Honors English III or teacher recommendation
The one-semester course will examine and analyze the
development of the advanced-level essay and narrative through the study of
international and diverse literature. Concentration will be focused on careful
reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. As students
read, they will consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such
smaller scale literary elements as the use of figurative language, imagery,
symbolism, and tone. The focus of this class is to continue the
development of the college-level essay and narrative through the study of
international and diverse literature. We continue the lessons of history with
works such as Oedipus the King and Macbeth. Reading in this course
will be both wide and deep; writing assignments will focus on the critical
analysis of the readings and include expository, analytical, and argumentative
essays. This is a college prep course that motivates rising high school
students to experience undergraduate life both academically and socially.
AP
English Literature
Elective
One
semester/ one credit
Prerequisite:
A or B in English III and a teacher recommendation
The
Advanced Placement course in English Literature is designed to give students a
critical outlook on critical thinking and writing skills. This course involves both the study of clear,
critical thinking, and precise stylistically mature writing. The one-semester course will examine and
analyze the structure, theme, and technique
of the major genres. As in all AP
courses, students are expected to complete additional readings and to write
extensively both inside and outside of class.
The acquisition of the following skills is stressed: classifying, analyzing, making inferences,
interpreting and distinguishing fact from opinion. This is a college prep course that motivates rising high school
students to experience undergraduate life, both academically and socially,
while earning college credits. Students enrolled in an AP course are
required to take the AP exam in May and will be billed approximately $87.00.
Homework Help:
Link: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/