Spring 2018 Dear GT English Student and Parents, In the upcoming school year I will be your Sophomore GT English teacher. I truly look forward to getting to know you and working collaboratively to build and extend your reading and writing skills. As most of you know, this course will be much different than your previous English classes. To prepare you for this course, I am requiring each of my students to read two books this summer and complete two assignments, one of which is a project. Aside from your summer reading, you will complete the attached assignments due on the second day of class. These assignments will demonstrate your skills in connecting similar themes and ideas between two novels, as well as show you the types of projects we will be doing in class throughout the next year. Finally, I have included a list below of GT Sophomore English supplies in order for you to come prepared for my class in the fall. Again, I look forward to meeting you and seeing you grow in your skill level throughout my course. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kinseybaker@frenship.us. Sincerely, Ms. Kinsey Baker GT English II Supplies 1 folder 1 package of highlighters 1 package of No. 2 pencils 1 package of crayons/markers/colored pencils (your choice) 1 package of solid colored scrapbooking paper 1 large brown paper sack (from Walmart, United, etc.) 1 composition book (not a spiral) Required Summer Readings: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (option 1) The Pearl by John Steinbeck (option 2) How to Read Literature like a Professor for Kids: by Thomas C. Foster (required)
Your Summer Assignments Assignment 1: 1. Read the John Steinbeck novel of your choice 2. Read How to Read Literature like a Professor for Kids 3. Complete the literary analysis assignment for How to Read Literature like a Professor for Kids (attached) Assignment 2: a project! 1. Complete one project from the list below (there are 5 to choose from) 2. *In order to receive a high scoring grade for this, I need to see your analysis. Effort and creativity aside- if there is no true analysis displayed, there is no grade. Project Options Please complete one of the following projects to receive credit for the second part of your summer assignments. 1. Character Suitcase Create a suitcase for the main character of the story. The suitcase may be made from any small box such as a macaroni and cheese box or a cereal box. Inside the suitcase, you will include five, or more, items that the main character might take on a trip. These items should be carefully selected and significant to the main character. For example, Stanley from Holes, might include an onion or shovel, in his suitcase. You will include a written explanation of why each item is important. This may be glued to the back or inside of the suitcase, or attached individually to each item, like a label or luggage tag. A TWO paragraph summary is required with this option. Five, or more, items that are significant to the main character Description of why each item is important (3-5+ sentences per description) Suitcase should look like a suitcase, inside and outside, and not an empty food box (Think about including travel stickers or address labels, a handle, etc. on the outside.) Neat, colorful, interesting and creative items and suitcase design Evidence of effort 3-paragraph summary Correct conventions- capitalization, punctuation, spelling and complete sentences (for descriptions
2. Diorama Use a show box to make a diorama. The diorama may depict a favorite part of the story or a favorite setting. You may use a wide variety of materials such as clay, tin foil, wrapping paper, fabric, Legos, or anything you can think of to create a detailed 3-D illustration. The outside of the box should also be covered and decorated. A TWO paragraph summary, plus a description of the diorama, should be attached to either the back of the diorama or the lid of the box. The diorama is very detailed, neat and creative The scene or setting chosen demonstrates a quality understanding of the story Outside of the box is also covered and decorated 3-Paragraph Summary + a 4 th paragraph in which you describe the scene or setting in your diorama and why you chose it Neat, colorful, creative and interesting Evidence of effort Correct conventions- capitalization, punctuation, spelling and complete sentences. 3. Children s Book Create a children s book version of your novel. The children s book should depict the main plot points of your book, but be written in a more simplistic and brief style. However, the overall theme and message of the story needs to still be prevalent. You can create this book digitally or by hand. All main characters and central conflicts should be included in the simplified story, and should also include dialogue that piques the interest of a young audience. Drawings should be colorful, detailed, and captivate the reader. The book is very detailed, neat and creative The book contains at least ten pages with colorful pictures; each page contains text. Correct conventions capitalization, punctuation, spelling and complete sentences. Evidence of effort A bound book, looking much like a book bought from a book store
4. Book Trailer Using digital software such as imovie, Windows Movie Maker, or Animoto, create a book trailer for your novel. The trailer should give readers an idea of what the book is about without giving away the ending. Just like a real movie trailer, a book trailer should include elements of persuasion that will entice students to read the novel. Be sure to include images or video that represents, setting, main characters, and symbolic images. The trailer should be between 1:30 and 3:00 in length. Provide a TWO paragraph description of your trailer that details WHY you selected the images, music, and text included in your trailer. The trailer captures the viewer s attention throughout its entirety Images or video clips selected for the trailer are relevant to the book and complement the setting, plot, and characters The text included contains no errors in spelling, capitalization or punctuation The trailer demonstrates knowledge of the plot, and persuades viewers to read the book 5. Novel Pod Cast If you are not quite sure what a podcast is, this might not be a good option for you. For those of you who listen to podcasts regularly, you will be able to easily create a Fan Podcast for your novel and understand what a good podcast episode entails. This project option requires you to record a five minute episode of a podcast that can cover one of the following topics: 1. A review of your book that contains a summary of your novel, your opinion of the book, and shares a favorite passage 2. An interview with a character from the book 3. A discussion of the novel that includes special guests who debate their likes and dislikes of the novel You must submit a one-page outline of your podcast plan that includes the topics you will cover in your episode and other details in an outline form. Excellent podcasts are engaging, entertaining and have a purpose they are not merely a recording of someone talking about randomness. Podcast contains opening music, transition music, sound effects and other audio to add richness and detail to the podcast Podcast is organized, makes sense and is entertaining Podcast reflects an in-depth knowledge of the novel s plot, characters, setting, and themes.
Literary Analysis Assignment Please complete the following assignment to receive credit for the first part of your summer assignments. Your analysis assignment is to write two well-developed L.A.P.s (literary analysis paragraphs) that analyze how the book, How to Read Literature like a Professor for Kids directly relates to either Of Mice and Men or The Pearl. Please follow the instructions below: 1. Read How to Read Literature Like a Professor for Kids. 2. Next, you will read the John Steinbeck novel of your choice- The Pearl or Of Mice and Men. 3. For the analysis part of the assignment, you will describe with analysis how two chapters in How to Read Literature like a Professor directly relate to the novel of your choosing. Please be specific in your analysis. Remember- analysis is not summary. I do not want a summary of the novels- I have already read them and know what happens! 4. Provide a piece of textual evidence from your chosen novel, as well as a piece textual evidence from the book to support your analysis in each L.A.P. 5. Example: a. L.A.P. one might analyze how Every Trip is a Quest (Except when it s Not) directly relates to the novel Of Mice and Men (with a piece of textual evidence from both the novel and the book to support your analysis). b. L.A.P. two might analyze how Geography Matters directly relates to the same novel, Of Mice and Men (with a piece of textual evidence from both the novel and the book to support your analysis). 6. Your assignment needs to be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced with 1 inch margins. No handwritten assignments will be graded. *Remember, I am not asking you to summarize the novels. I am asking you to analyze the novels. REMINDER: Each assignment is due on the second day of class.
Granger 1 Hermione Granger Ms. Baker English II GT 1 August 2018 Creative Title
Take a L.A.P.! (Literary Analysis Paragraph) When writing a L.A.P., you will use textual evidence, demonstrate analysis, and showcase higher level thinking. These paragraphs should be thoughtful, clear, and avoid formulaic responses. Here is the PEEEEL format to use when writing a L.A.P.: State your claim in this topic sentence. Be sure to state the title of the text you re analyzing. Lead into your supporting quote with context and cite it at the end of the sentence. ( ). Analyze how your evidence proves your claim in 2-3 thoughtful sentences. Lead into your 2nd supporting quote with context and cite it at the end of the sentence. ( ). Analyze how your 2 nd piece evidence proves your claim in 2-3 thoughtful sentences. End with a Level 3 truism that ties back to what you re trying to prove. Steps before writing: 1. Answer the prompt. What is your opinion? State you claim and stick to it! 2. Answer: why do you feel that way? Where in the text can we see your point? 3. Locate: Gather the appropriate evidence that supports your claim. Pick the BEST evidence! 4. Map it out: Using the P.E.E.E.E.L. Method, map out your paragraph. What do you want to say & where?
Tips when writing L.A.P.s 1. If someone were to listen to your paragraph with their eyes closed, would they be able to tell when you embedded a quote? No? Great! You imbedded a quote seamlessly! 10 points to Gryffindor! (Or whichever house you so choose.) 2. Is your writing original? Or, is it formulaic and repetitive? If so, edit your diction and put your ~personality~ into it! 3. Do you have evidence that supports, deepens, and aids in your claim? Yes?! HOORAY! You go dude. 4. Are your sentences thoughtful and analytical, not formulaic and trite? If so, heckin yes!!! 5. Does your paragraph end with a level 3 truism that simultaneously supports your claim?.what?! It does??? Dude, you re a modern day Yoda. High five to that. Common Errors in L.A.P. Writing: 1. Using the 1 st person: I think, me, we, us, etc. 2. Using the 2 nd person: you, your, etc. 3. Not stating the title of the text being analyzed. Womp. 4. Having the first reference to a character be a pronoun (he, she) rather than the character s name. 5. Repetition of words or sentence starters: vary how you refer to characters, vary the way you begin sentences, etc. 6. Formulaic lead-ins: The author says The texts says In the book it says etc. 7. Quote plopping- this is even worse than formulaic lead-ins! Never start the sentence with a quote. 8. Graveyard words: very, good, bad, things, etc. #snooze 9. Formulaic analysis: This quote shows This evidence shows This proves etc. 10. Improper parenthetical citation formatting or NO citations at all. 11. Explaining the quote rather than analyzing how the quote proves the claim (two very different things). 12. Trite transitions: one example is another example is in conclusion etc. Blah.