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English

In an increasingly image-oriented world, the English curriculum at Coram Deo Academy promotes the biblical primacy of words as a means of learning and communicating truth. We help our students develop the tools that will enable them to grow into wise thinkers and ethical servant leaders: the ability to enjoy challenging literature from many genres and eras, the ability to express themselves eloquently in both written and oral communication, and most of all, the ability to perceive and to appreciate what is good, what is beautiful, and what is true through the development of their moral imaginations.

This type of education is built upon a basic understanding of language. From their first years, CDA students are educated in the structure and grammar of both classical Latin and modern English. They study phonics, trammar, and by third grade, Latin which complements their growing understanding of English syntax, grammar, and vocabulary. As the students reach our logic and high school, they master a variety of clauses and phrases, analyzing both the structure and the impact of various sentence forms. They also continue with their study of Latin, adding Spanish and Greek if desired.

Coram Deo students are trained to be eloquent, effective communicators in both written and oral presentation. Our writing curriculum is based upon the classical fourteen step Progymnasmata, writing exercises developed in ancient Greece and used throughout the history of Western Civilization. Students learn how to write stories and fables, persuasive and analytical arguments, descriptions, research papers, encomiums, vituperations, and editorials. Their assignments include both creative and imitative writing. All students participate in some form of oral presentation several times a year, with a special focus on oral presentation in seventh grade Speech/Debate and eleventh grade AP Rhetoric. Critical analysis is always an emphasis, but students take an entire course in formal logic in their ninth grade year. As students enter their rhetoric level studies, they are given increasing opportunities to teach others, culminating in their senior author presentations in English 12.

During the early years, students are both reading and read to, as their ability to read to themselves does not yet equal their ability to comprehend words read by others. They enjoy studying and memorizing scripture, as well as nursery rhymes, classic fairy tales, and Aesop’s fables. Students read year round, with opportunities for summer reading rewards and recognition. As early as possible, students are introduced to primary documents, studying the speeches and writings of great leaders and thinkers. By seventh grade, students are ready for some Advanced Placement level works. In eighth grade, students start a five year sweep of the history and literature of Western Civilization beginning with the Old Testament, Greek mythology, and Homer’s epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey. By graduation, students have encountered the works of the great Greek and Roman authors, studied medieval and Renaissance plays and poetry, and read Enlightenment satire, Romantic poetry, and Victorian and modern novels, plays, and poems.

Although students master the “grammar” of the study of literature and scripture-- biblical hermeneutics, literary and poetic terms, genres, and periods-- the focus of our study of literature is developing a love for what is good and true. According to Aristotle, a real education teaches the student to like and dislike what he ought. This involves training hearts and affections, not only minds and intellects. While exploring the great books of Western Civilization, CDA students begin to take part in the great conversation, the ongoing study of what comprises the good life and the right-side-up human soul.

English/Literature: 5

This course requires that students actively read, annotate, discuss, and write about the Chronicles of Narnia and American literature set in the Civil War period and culminating in WWII. A theme of this year’s literature is coming of age and perseverance in the midst of difficulties.

Using the Shurley Method English Grammar, students will develop the proper grammar mechanics for speaking and writing.

All instruction is based upon a Christian worldview where God is honored and uplifted. As we apply the moral imagination to understand this year’s reading, students will be challenged in their thinking and learn of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and love.
English/Literature: 6

In sixth-grade literature, students journey through world history examining heroic characteristics: wisdom, purity of heart, perseverance, and courage. Students explore various cultures and genres by reading an epic, The Children’s Homer, a legend, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, an Icelandic saga, Rolf and the Viking Bow, John Bunyan’s allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and Corrie Ten Boom’s memoir, The Hiding Place. In writing, the students continue to work through several steps of the Progymnasmata learning the art of commonplacing. They create original narrations and complete a research project related to history. Grammar, writing mechanics, spelling, and vocabulary studies are incorporated throughout the year.
English/Literature: 7

Seventh grade English is the first upper school English course at Coram Deo Academy. Students continue grammar and writing instruction insuring mastery of all K-6 grammar concepts including the most common sentence phrases and clauses. In writing, the students work through several of the steps of the Progymnasmata and also develop literary analysis and research skills implementing note-taking, outlining, and MLA citation skills that will be used throughout the upper school and at most universities. Vocabulary enrichment and spelling development are implemented through highlighting vocabulary with our literature and weekly quizzes. The literature selections for this year correspond to the students’ study of American history. We start with as review of the summer reading selections with emphasis on The Hobbit and The Old Man and the Sea. This is followed by four bildungsroman or “coming of age” novels spanning the time periods from the American Revolution to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 and ending with the Great Depression in Oklahoma. Students will be introduced to the basic terms used in literary analysis as well as the various philosophical movements influencing the authors studied: Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism.
English/Literature: 8

Eighth grade English, the first year of a five-year sweep of the literature of Western Civilization, focuses on themes of suffering and justice. A foundation for future study is set with an examination of several of the books of the Old Testament: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah. Students learn about ancient writing including types of Hebrew parallelism and figurative language. After completing their introduction to Old Testament literature, they begin a thorough study of Greek mythology using Edith Hamilton Mythology. Their study of the various Greek gods and famous stories lays the foundation for reading the great epics of Homer, the Greek tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and the host of literary allusions found in all periods of Western literature. Eighth grade English concludes with the study of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey. In writing, the students work through several steps of the Progymnasmata, create original poems and stories, and complete a research paper related to ancient history. Grammar, writing mechanics, spelling, and vocabulary studies are incorporated throughout the year.

Faculty

Wendy Powell

English Department Chair, RS English - FM
Bio
Wendy Powell, a literary enthusiast from a young age, graduated cum laude from Baylor University with a bachelor of arts in English.

After college, she joined the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council as its Communications Coordinator. Her work included publishing a monthly newsletter and an annual magazine, hosting educational seminars and political fundraisers, and working with local news agencies concerning hospital-related news events.

Wendy and her husband Mark became advocates of classical education while developing curriculum to home educate their children. During this time, Wendy taught middle school literature and writing for a home school cooperative group.

In 1998, she and Mark were one of three couples who initiated the development of Coram Deo Academy. She started teaching English 7 at CDA in 2001. Over the years Wendy has taught 5^th through 9^th grade English as well as 10^th grade Theology and 11^th grade AP Literature and Composition. She is now a CDA veteran with fifteen years of experience and serves as our English Chair.

Wendy has been married for 32 years to her husband, Mark. They have five children. Elizabeth, Daniel, David, and Benjamin are all graduates of Coram Deo Academy. Their youngest daughter, Rebecca, will graduate in the spring of 2016.
Drew Armstrong

Collin County Dean of Students; Rhetoric English, Theology & Electives
Amanda Betron

LS English - FM
Brooke Bryant

LS History, Science, Bible, English- FM
Georgeann Carter

LS English & Latin, Electives - CC
Leng Ea

LS History, Science, Bible, English, English; Athletics, Electives - FM
Rebecca Fortune

LS/RS English, Electives - FM
Hannah Galvan

LS Bible, History, English, Science, Writing - Dallas
Janice Golz

LS English - FM
Traci Heitschmidt

History Dept Chair; RS History, English, Athletics - FM
Bio
Dr. Traci Colston Heitschmidt joined CDA ten years ago, agreeing to teach just one section of tenth grade English while her children were little. Won over by the impressive curriculum, students, and especially the Christian worldview, Dr. Heitschmidt joined the staff full-time in 2010. She currently teaches 11^th grade A.P. European History, 12^th grade A.P. United States History, and 12^th grade American Literature. She also serves as our History Department Chair.

Dr. Heitschmidt earned her PhD in Modern European history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also holds a master’s degree in Modern European history from UNLV and a bachelor of arts in both English and history from Texas Tech University.

She has been married for 25 years to college sweetheart, Jason Heitschmidt, and they have two children, Jarren (10^th grade) and Kacey (8^th grade), both attending CDA.
Drew Hicks

LS History, LS/RS English - Dallas
Kim McClure

RS/LS English, Other Core - Dallas
Laura Murray

LS English - Dallas
Mary Pat Rogers

RS English, LS Latin, Electives - FM
Shelley Rogers

LS Speech, English - CC
Connor Stratman

LS English - CC
Robert Terry

RS, LS English, LS Latin - Dallas
Lee Valerius
Shannon Vowell

LS History; LS/RS English
Victoria Voyles

LS Math, Writing; Electives - CC
Pam Yoder

LS Speech; LS/RS English - CC