Gifted Course:

ENGLISH STRATEGIES

Holly Maxwell

CONSULTANT: Holly Maxwell

I am a passionate and innovative English teacher who is dedicated to engaging and empowering my students. I love to design authentic learning experiences that creatively trick students into learning. Previously, I taught in Zhengzhou, China at an international high school (Kinglee) for four years. I have taught a wide variety of English courses including English I (9th grade), English II (10th grade), American Literature (11th grade), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, Speech, 7th grade ELA, and Non-Fiction: An Introduction to Rhetoric. Currently, I teach the ELA classes for the Gifted Cohort at Sandra Day O’Connor High School as well as serve as one of the Gifted Specialists with a focus on social-emotional learning.  This is my fourth year O'Connor, and I have loved fostering a positive learning community in which ALL students feel supported, safe, and confident as they socially, emotionally, and intellectually grow!

In my free time, I love to travel the world, read, attend concerts, watercolor paint, and hike through the boundless beauty of our natural world. I love new experiences and any chance I get to learn from others. 


Class Description:

  • Teachers will participate hands-on activities, group discussions, and multiple strategies to prepare all students for the rigorous course work expected of students in advanced and honors English classes grades 7-10.

  • The skills and strategies learned will help close the learning gap created by the pandemic.

  • This workshop focuses on helping participants explore and articulate all aspects of middle school and high school English curriculums, anchored in the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that apply to all students.

  • Participants will learn strategies for increasing rigor and student learning expectations to ensure all students’ success, preparing them for any advanced/honors English courses.

  • Topics to include Literary Analysis, AP program and tests, reading/grading essay exams.

Course may be used toward the gifted endorsement.


Topics to be discussed include the following:

  • Advanced Placement Program®​​​​​

  • AP Exams

  • Reading/Grading exam essays

  • Multiple Choice questions

  • Language

  • Parts of a Sentence/Phrases

  • Sentence Structure (All Forms of Clauses)

  • Genres

  • Literary Analysis

  • Tone and Purpose

  • Short Story

  • Poetry

  • Drama

  • Shakespeare

  • Non Fiction

  • Vocabulary

  • Close Reading

  • Rhetoric

  • Composition