McKinney ISD
9 Grade PreAP/GT English I
Summer Reading
th
May 2014
Dear Incoming 9th Grade PreAP/GT English I Student and Parent or Guardian:
Statistics show that continued reading improves test scores and prepares students for the
challenges of a college curriculum and the demands of a knowledge-based workforce.
With this in mind, McKinney ISD requires a summer reading assignment for all students
in 9th -12th grade PreAP/AP English and Gifted and Talented programs. This assignment
aligns with the English I curriculum and promotes skills critical to student success on the
Advanced Placement exams.
This year the English I PreAP/GT teachers at the McKinney high schools have selected
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card as our summer reading novel. During the first weeks
of school, students will be required to compose an in-class paper analyzing characters
and/or themes of Ender’s Game. In the second week, students will be required to
complete an objective assessment over Ender’s Game as well.
Attached you will find a formal assignment to be completed while reading Ender’s
Game. The character chart and the journal entries will be discussed on the first day of
school, so it is imperative to bring them (along with the novel) to class on day one. These
assignments will be a crucial part of preparation for the composition and objective
assessment in the first two weeks of class.
If you or your child has any questions, please email his/her teacher as indicated below.
McKinney Boyd High School: Jennifer Bennett at ([email protected])
McKinney High School: Carol Winters at ([email protected])
McKinney North High School: Lindsey House at ([email protected])
As a district, McKinney ISD embraces the life-long love of reading; it is our goal to
instill this in our students. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
The 9th Grade GT English Team of McKinney ISD
PreAP/GT English I
Summer Reading Assignment
Both your character chart and your journal entries should be typed in MLA format. Please bring
both your character chart and your journal entries to class on the first day of school.
1. You will create a Character Chart for Ender, Peter, Valentine, Graff, and Mazer. An
example has been provided for you below. You will include a quotation in the left
column and an inference with insight in the right column. Follow the instructions below
for your chart.
 You will need 3 entries each for Ender, Peter, Valentine, Graff, and Mazer (15
total).
 Your entries should come from throughout the book—not just the beginning or
the end.
 Your entries should reflect important/significant quotations about each character
and/or quotations from each character.
 Your insight/analysis should not only declare a quality of character and explain
this quality from the text evidence, but it should also communicate an insight
about how this quality is significant for humanity. (See example below).
Character Chart ExampleEnder:
Evidence
“Ender looked at Peter only to detect anger or
boredom, the dangerous moods that almost
always led to pain” (10).
Inference/Commentary
Ender is vigilant. He watches Peter carefully.
He knows, from experience (or intuition), how
to predict Peter’s moods and prevent conflict.
This perceptiveness is an important quality in
leaders, because it helps the leader to prepare
for scenarios which may endanger his
community.
2. You will write 5 journal entries in response to the following prompts. Each response
should be a minimum of 5 sentences and a maximum of 10. Please try to comment on
the specifics of the story as you respond.
Ender’s Game Journal Entry #1
Explain the statement, “Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.” After you explain it,
discuss whether you agree or disagree with the statement and give why.
Ender’s Game Journal Entry #2
Explain the following quotation in relation to this story and to your own life: “Individual human
beings are all tools that the others use to help us all survive.”
Ender’s Game Journal Entry #3
How does Peter manipulate and use other people? Explain your answer by referring to specific
examples from the story.
Ender’s Game Journal Entry #4
Explain the significance of the title: Ender’s Game. Discuss Ender’s unique name. Discuss the
reference to the “game” played in the story. Do you believe the title is the most appropriate title
for the novel?
Ender’s Game Journal Entry #5
Compare and contrast the characters of Graff and Mazer. Be able to discuss two ways in which
the characters are similar, and discuss two ways in which they are different.