PreAP English II Honors Summer Assignment Syllabus Welcome to Pre­(as in Summer before) PreAP English II Honors! I hope your work this summer is rewarding and fun. I've put together what I think will both teach and entertain. Before reading further, please note that this summer assignment is on Canvas, a learning management system. You will need to be able to access the internet to complete portions of your work this summer. In addition, I will need your email address to register you as a user. This will give you a chance to become familiar with Canvas, since we will use it throughout the regular school year. In addition, we will have a chance to work together as a class through discussion board conversation. Canvas: canvas.instructure.com To get started, please email me your first and last name, 2014­15 course, and your email address. Once I enter your information into the system, Canvas will send you an invitation email. Tips for Canvas: 1. Canvas works best using the Chrome browser. 2. There is a free app for Android and iPhone users. 3. After typing something, click outside of your dialogue box. This typically helps save posts best. Then, be sure to click save. 4. To print, right­click on any screen and click print. 5. When in doubt, send me a message. You can message me via Canvas. Assignment Overview: In short, here is a list of what I am asking to be completed this summer. ●
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Reading Assignments ○ One novel, Two short stories, Two poems Writing Assignments ○ Two short essays, One short speech, Discussion boards Other Assignments ○ Two short reading quizzes, Vocabulary/Terminology study Novel: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green ●
Available for checkout from Sarasota and Charlotte County libraries. E­books and audiobooks available. (I can’t recommend audiobooks since you won’t be able to SEE the words.) May be available through the LBHS media center, including the e­book selection. Used on Amazon for approx. $8. New from bookstore price is $12.99 Short Stories "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez "A Clean, Well­Lighted Place" by Ernest Hemingway ● Both short stories are available as PDFs on Canvas. Poems "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot "There's a certain Slant of light, (320)" by Emily Dickinson ● Links to both poems are available on Canvas. Writing Assignments (Please upload assignments in Canvas when complete.) Essay #1: Worth 50 points After reading Dickinson's poem, think about how Green's reference to this work deepens the meaning in The Fault of Our Stars. Drawing from both the novel and the poem, write an essay in which you explain how the reference builds meaning, how it shapes the story, how it might function in a literary capacity. This essay will be used as a writing sample. For now, I am looking for completeness and thoughtfulness. Grammar, punctuation, and formatting issues will be noted so that we can address class writing issues throughout the year­­meaning that if you do well we will have less to tediously cover. I expect your essay to be 5 paragraphs in length with a clear, arguable thesis residing as the last sentence of the first paragraph. Each paragraph should be no less than 5 well written sentences. Each supporting paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that functions in conjunction with both the paragraph it tops and the thesis statement. The conclusion should not (I repeat, Should Not!) restate every point you've made and your thesis. Instead, tell me what I should do with the amazing insight you've given to me. How is your information supposed to help me read The Fault of Our Stars a little better? Essay #2: Worth 100 points After reading the two short stories, write an essay comparing the two texts. Focus on theme, structure, writing style, and/or subject matter. Building on discussion questions on Canvas, synthesis what has been learned. How to Write a Comparison Essay 1. Look at the two sample texts. What is similar about the two? Think of themes, aphorisms/maxim, characters, settings, etc. Use the maxims you created for both stories. Combine the two into a strong thesis statement that describes how these two works compare. ●
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Contextualize your maxim by including the name of the work or the author. Add a verb from the Manta Writing Handbook's Suggested Verb list to connect the context to the maxim/aphorism: http://wordpress.ccps.k12.fl.us/lbhsmedia/files/2013/08/Suggested­Verb­List.pdf 2. Now that you have a thesis statement, jot down three or more points of comparison. These can include style, tone, mood, characterization, theme, etc. Write down three topic sentences using these points, and directly connect these back to your thesis statement. 3. Locate three supporting details (no less) for each main point. Use these points to build on your paragraphs. Give textual examples but don't summarize plot details. 4. Return to your introductory paragraph. Think about how you would start this conversation with a friend. Introduce your topic and lead your reader to your thesis statement. 5. Finally, reread your entire essay. Allow the conversation to continue and to resolve by writing your conclusion. Note: DO NOT RESTATE YOUR THESIS, and DO NOT RECAP EACH POINT. What I want to see is a conclusion that closes the conversation just as if we were talking but in formal language. Speech: Worth 25 points Write a eulogy for “I” and/or “you,” since we can no longer use these words in our writing. We must practice writing formally. After you upload this file, it will be saved for our first quarter where you’ll have a chance to read your eulogy to the class. If you make us cry, you’ll instantly earn an A. Speech Criteria ●
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Approx. 2­5 minutes Follow basic composition structure: ○ Open dialogue with a lead in. ○ Express a thesis that tells the audience what will be discussed and why. ○ Give support (reason) why audience members should feel as you feel. ○
Close dialogue in a way that gives some credible reason why your points are believable and makes your final word(s), literally and figuratively, mean something to you and your audience. Discussion Boards: Worth 5 points each (28 boards | 140 total points) While working through this summer assignment, discussion boards will help us to learn to work together as a class. We can share our ideas and build our depth of understanding in approaching these works and our writing. You do not need to respond to every question, although doing so will enhance your own understanding and help the class to learn more. Full credit for a discussion board will be earned if 1) You post at least once to the discussion board; 2) Your post is thoughtful and complete; and 3) You help to ensure that we answer all of the questions posted, instead of posting to the same question as others. Let's leave no stone unturned! You can also add new questions to the discussion. Other Assignments: Worth 15 points There are two reading quizzes that are worth a total of 15 points. These quizzes are posted so that you can become acquainted with how Canvas quizzes function. Throughout your summer assignment, you will encounter a great deal of interesting words, terms, and historical and cultural references and allusions. In an effort to ensure that our learning stays with us, these have been collected in a quizlet. I will administer our first Terms Test within the first few weeks of quarter one. You will have access to the quizlet link via Canvas by clicking on Pages. The direct link is http://quizlet.com/_oqzlg. Quizlet is an web­based application for flashcards. It is accessible via computers, tablets, and phones. The program allows for quick printing of flashcards, creates games with terms, and even populates tests that can be quickly taken for review. Terms in this course will be cumulatively collected over the course of the year through one Quizlet. Due Dates/Summer Assignment Weight A final note on due dates and the weight (importance) of this summer assignment: In this course, assignments are groups and weighted in Focus. Quarter 1 will be weighted as follows: Summer Assignment: 30% Reading and Terminology Tests 15% Writing Assignments 15% Homework 10% Quarter 1 Exam 30% Therefore, if the summer assignment is not completed, the highest possible grade for Quarter 1 is a 70%. All assignments are due on or before Monday, August 18th at 7:25 AM. No assignments turned in after this time will be accepted. In Canvas, I have marked assignments to have various due dates in an effort to avoid last minute work. The summer due dates are all August 18th; however, the system will show dates beginning in mid­July. Again, the due dates in Canvas are set simply to help organize the summer work. If you have technical issues or questions about assignments, there are several ways to contact me. ●
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Twitter: @StaceyOnEnglish Let the fun begin! Stacey Wood, M.A. Lemon Bay High School ●
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School Email: [email protected] Text or Call: (941) 716­1786