High School Summer Reading 2014-2015 All assignments must be typed using standard, MLA formatting guidelines. Please make sure your work is in 12 point Times New Roman font, is double- spaced, has no extra spacing between paragraphs, and uses 1 margins. Students will take a reading check quiz or test on the assigned summer reading. All assignments are due the first day of class. English 9 Read The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Complete the following assignments. They are due the day you return to school. You should bring a copy of the novel to class the first day back. 1. Describe the identity of the main character, both in terms of how he views himself and how others view him. If the identity changed over the course of the novel, note these changes and when they occur. Cite at least three passages from the novel to use as examples, in supporting your observations. 2. Write a five plus paragraph essay, with a clear thesis statement in which you discuss how the titles of the various chapters develop the theme of the indispensable struggle for mastery. You must have a minimum of six embedded quotes as support for your argument. Follow MLA guidelines. Please note: The movies are drastically different from the novels. Do not watch the movie and assume you know the book. English 10 Honors Ancient literature reveals the religious, political, and cultural belief system of ancient peoples. The texts we read in English this year will augment your learning in World Studies. Required summer reading texts: Mythology by Edith Hamilton Please purchase a copy of Edith Hamilton s Mythology and read the following sections: 1. The chapters on the major Greek and Roman deities (Part One) 2. The chapters on The Trojan War, The Fall of Troy, and The Adventures of Odysseus (Part Four). 3. You will be tested on your of these sections the first week back to school.
The Odyssey by Homer (Robert Fagles translation) Book 5: Odysseus Nymph and Wreck Book 6: The Princess and the Stranger Book 9: In the One- Eyed Giants Cave Book 10: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea Book 11: The Kingdom of the Dead Book 12: The Cattle of the Sun Book 22: Slaughter in the Hall Write a five paragraph essay in which you analyze Odysseus as the exemplar of manhood and kingship. Follow MLA guidelines. Essay is due the first day our class meets. You will also take a reading check test on the first day our class meets. English 11 Required Summer Reading Text: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Assignment Write a two page essay using standard MLA format that answers the following questions: 1. In the novel are three key scaffold scenes which all take place on the raised platform in the midst of the town: chapters 2-3, chapter 12, and chapter 23. For each scene, describe who was there and why, and where the scarlet letter A is seen. How does each scene progress the novel s plot? Explain fully in at least two paragraphs. 2. Read Psalm 32:5, Psalm 51:3, John 8:11, Romans 8:1, Isaiah 43:18-19, and I John 1:9. Explain the Biblical view of confession and forgiveness. How does this contrast with what Dimmesdale does in the novel? Does Dimmesdale receive true forgiveness? Does Hester? Explain fully in at least two paragraphs.
English 11 AP Language All incoming 11 th grade AP language students are required to complete the following summer reading assignments. The assignments are due the first day of class. Assignments should be typed, following MLA requirements. Assignment 1: Read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Vocabulary: You are to list 5 words per chapter that you are not familiar with in this novel. You are to copy the sentence the word is in, give the page number, and a definition according to context. Essay: Hester embraces her sin and is willing to accept her punishment. Dimmesdale on the other hand, refuses to accept responsibility for his sin until the very end of the novel. Hawthorne clearly believes this difference is what allows Hester to lead a productive life, while Dimmesdale is trapped within his guilt. Explain how Hester uses her punishment as a means to improve herself. Specifically, how does the scarlet A transform Hester? Your essay should be two- three pages typed, double- space. You should follow MLA format in your paper. You must have nine direct references to the novel to support your assertions. These may be three per body paragraph. Assignment 2: To complete this assignment, you will need to read a newspaper (The Miami Herald, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Orlando Sentinel) and/or a weekly magazine (Time, Newsweek, or US news and World Report) throughout the summer. These are available in the public library or on the internet. A. Collect at least six opinion- based articles. Write a paragraph response (not a summary) for each one (200-250 words each). What is the writer s argument? List two main points and agree or disagree with them. Make educated arguments. You may collect six opinion- based articles from the same columnist or you may collect opinion based articles from six different columnists on a key issue or you may collect opinion- based articles from six different columnists on different issues. B. All responses must be in MLA format. This assignment must be typed. C. You must attach the article, or a copy of the original to your response.
English 12: Read Beowulf translation by Seamus Heaney Assignments: 1. TEXT NOTES: As you read, make notes in the margins of the book. Take notes on the main themes: the search for glory, differences in values (especially in today s society), and good versus evil. Identify use of language, literary devices, important plot points, and lines that interest you. Do not simply highlight or underline your work and thoughts need to be visible. Your book will be collected the first day of class and your marginal notes will be reviewed and graded for thoroughness. NOTE: You are expected to read the introduction, but it is best read after the story. This introduction is meant for people who already know the history and tale of Beowulf. 2. VOCABULARY LOG: you are expected to look up and apply any words with which you are unfamiliar and do not have a footnote in your text. It will be important that you examine the definitions you discover and apply them to the passage you are reading. You have two options for providing that you have worked with the vocabulary in your book- A) Define the words right on the pages of your book. Use color coding to indicate vocabulary. B) Create a separate vocabulary list of words and definitions that you have looked up. Find a way to organize this list to your best advantage. 3. COMPOSITION: This will be your teacher s first evaluation of your ability to write analytically and think deeply about your own reading. Write an organized, thesis driven multi- paragraph essay defending or challenging one of the statements below. They are listed form most simple to difficult. - Beowulf is not a hero. - Beowulf is an example of a successful leader - Beowulf has no real relevance to those of us living in the 21 st century. Your book, vocabulary work, and composition will be collected and graded the first day of class. We will begin discussing Beowulf immediately, so be prepared to contribute to discussion.
English 12, AP Literature and Composition Required Summer Reading Texts: How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Beowulf (Seamus Heaney translation) Assignment I How to Read Literature Like a Professor and Frankenstein After reading Frankenstein, read Foster s book and apply what you have learned back to Frankenstein: Chapter 1 - Every Trip is a Quest Chapter 5 - Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before? and INTERLUDE: One Story (185) Identify and discuss archetypal characters, objects, and situations that appear in Frankenstein. In your response, be sure to include specific quotes from the text, with page numbers, to support your conclusions. Chapters 6-9 Allusions Research and analyze one of the literary allusions that appear in the novel. Among others, there are allusions in the novel to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Prometheus, and Paradise Lost. (Note: Most of the allusions that appear to be Biblical are actually from Paradise Lost. ) In your response, explain the original work, how it is referenced in Frankenstein and how your understanding of the allusion deepens your appreciation or understanding of the work. Be sure to include specific quotes from the text, with page numbers, to support your conclusions. Use MLA format to cite your sources. Chapter 10 - It s More Than Just Rain or Snow Discuss the importance of rain or snow in a specific passage from this novel. In your response, be sure to include specific quotes from the text, with page numbers, to support your conclusions. Chapter 11 - More Than It s Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence Identify an example of violence in the novel. Analyze it according to Foster s comments on the different types of violence and the effect of each. In your response, be sure to include specific quotes from the text, with page numbers, to support your conclusions. Chapter 12 - Is That a Symbol?
Chapter 19 - Geography Matters Chapter 20 - So Does Season Chapter 25- Don t Read With Your Eyes Assignment II Beowulf For Beowulf, you will trace the development of the epic hero, Beowulf. Keep a detailed notebook of heroic character traits. The characteristics of the Anglo- Saxons are spread throughout the story of Beowulf. These are best observed while reading rather than after the fact. As you read, keep a graphic organizer like the one modeled below that will enable you to trace the characteristics displayed by Beowulf that illustrate the traits of the Anglo- Saxon culture. 1. Followers/warriors pledge service to a lord or leader. The home is directly tied to the leader, not the land on which they live. 2. The lord or leader provides treasures of gold, weapons, jewels, and celebrations in the mead hall as reward for service to his warriors/followers. 3. The Anglo Saxon warrior values bravery, courage, and prowess in battle. 4. The most honorable death is death in battle. It is to be celebrated. 5. Anglo- Saxons believed that fate controlled their lives and accepted the outcome as inevitable. 6. After the Christian influence, the literature, henceforth the characteristics, displayed a mixed belief of pagan influence (fate) and God s control over all aspects of life.
7. Battles are often retold in the form of songs sung by scops. Line Numbers Example Trait Exhibited 64-60 71-72 Hrothgar king of the Danes builds a mead hall called Herot Hrothgar gives treasure to the warriors Rewarding followers Rewarding followers 89-90 Scops sing of history Song