Rockville High School
International Baccalaureate School
2100 Baltimore Road
Rockville, MD 20851
301-517-5595
Rockville HS English Department
English 9 Summer Reading Assignment
Mrs. Ehlers
Mr. Annear
Ms. Briggs
Ms. Heier-Hammond
Mr. Pang
Ms. Schoenthal
Ms. Sutter
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
We look forward to working with you next year in English 9. In order to prepare for the year ahead, we are
providing you with the following summer reading assignment. Please read all information carefully.
Goal: To examine two different genres of literature
Keep reading a variety of books all summer long. Summer reading is one way to help you develop your literacy
skills, broaden your interests, and extend your background knowledge. You may use the resources noted @
http://rockvillehs.montgomeryschoolsmd.libguides.com/books to select books that are diverse in terms of
challenge, ethnicity and culture, topics, classic and contemporary time periods, and genres. There is something
here for everybody. This is also a good opportunity to become re-acquainted with the services available at your
local Montgomery County Public Libraries branch. Your library card and account allow you to access many services
online. If you do not have a library card, here are easy instructions for how to obtain one. Be sure to visit your
local library to find books you will enjoy!
Directions
Thoughtful analysis and critical reading are essential skills for every course. Start now to develop these important
strategies.
1. Select and read TWO books from TWO different genres.
2. Write a response in paragraph form for each of the following FOUR questions.
 Carefully read and use the CSI rubric on page 2 of this packet to guide and enhance your
response.
 Use several specific and relevant textual details from BOTH texts to support your claim (cite page
numbers for direct quotations). Use this link if you need help using the correct format for your
citations.
 Your FOUR answers (four paragraphs, Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced) will be
submitted to www.turnitin.com on the second day of school for a homework grade.
 Plan ahead. Do not try to complete the reading and the writing the night before schools starts!
Four Written Responses
1. To which genres do your books belong? Please identify and provide the titles and authors of the books.
Genres can include fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, satire,
etc. If you are unsure, you can email an English teacher! Discuss the specific elements of genre you found
most interesting in the texts.
2. Identify the major UNIVERSAL THEMES in your books. What are your books trying to say about our world,
about humanity, or about events that have or are occurring?
3. Describe a major and minor character from each of your books. What motivates these characters? What
external conflicts affect them? What internal conflicts make life difficult for them?
4. How does the setting play a role in your books? Describe the setting’s effect on characters, plot, and
theme.
YOU MUST INCLUDE A TOTAL OF AT LEAST 3-4 TEXTUAL EXAMPLES WHEN YOU ANSWER THE EACH QUESTION!
Assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn.com on Tuesday, September 1, 2015.
Summer Reading Assignment Rubric
CSI – Claim, Support, Interpretation
4
(30)
CLAIM
Paragraph begins with a
clear statement which
presents the ‘angle’ of the
argument to follow (5)
3
(24)
First sentence is somewhat
of a claim, but close to a
summary or fact. Argument
to follow is unclear.
(4)
2
(20)
First sentence is a fact, but a
claim may be foggily inferred
(3)
1
(15)
Summary or a fact is used:
no claim apparent
(2.5)
SUPPORT
A minimum of 3-4
pieces of evidence
(facts, quotations,
details) clearly and
fully support the
claim. Seamless
Transition and Lead
in to the Quotation
(TLQ) (10)
A minimum of 3 facts
or quotations which
support the claim,
but may not be as
rich or detailed.
Adequate TLQ (8)
1-2 pieces of
evidence but they do
not all clearly
support the claim.
Awkward TLQ
(7)
Minimal evidence in
support, or evidence
is irrelevant to claim.
No TLQ
(5)
INTERPRETATION
Discussion of how each piece
of support relates to the claim
is clear, thoughtful, and
insightful
Strong conclusion
(10)
MECHANICS
Near perfect:
Citations
Third person
Punctuation
Sentence
structure (5)
Relation of each piece of
support to the claim is
discussed, but with less
complexity or insight than
above
Adequate conclusion (8)
Complexity is lacking, but
most of the support is
discussed in relation to the
claim. Redundant conclusion
(7)
A few errors that
don’t interfere
with meaning (4)
Interpretation is missing or
contains some inaccuracy (5)
Errors interfere
with meaning
(2.5)
Several errors
Which tend to
interfere with
meaning (3)
REMEMBER TO EMAIL AN ENGLISH TEACHER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SUMMER READING
ASSIGNMENT!