English 9 CP
Summer Reading List 2012
Read the following:
1.) Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Assignments:
1. Summative Questions for Tuesdays with Morrie
After reading the novel, complete the summative reading questions at the bottom of this
page. Through these questions, you will not only be able to check your understanding of
the novel, but also consider deeper questions that the novel possesses.
2. Grammar Dictionary
This first year English course will stress the importance of grammar and sentence
structure in order to further develop students’ writing as they progress throughout the
next four years of high school and beyond. In this way, we ask that students coming in
to 9th Grade be familiar with the basics of grammar and sentence structure. Some
students are very well-versed in grammatical practices and others students are not. This
being said, treat this assignment as a review of grammar or an introduction to it.
Regardless of where you stand with grammar, it will be adequately discussed in class
throughout the year, so do not worry! Students should create a grammar dictionary that
encompasses the following items:
1.) A definition of each of the following (the 8 parts of speech):
a.) noun
b.) verb
c.) pronoun
d.) adjective
e.) adverb
f.) preposition
g.) conjunction
h.) interjection
2.) An example of each of the above terms used and identified in a sentence.
3.) A definition of each of the following (types of sentences)
a.) simple sentence
b.) compound sentence
c.) complex sentence
d.) compound-complex sentence
4.) An example of each of the above sentence types
5.) A list of the possible uses for each of the following (punctuation marks):
a.) comma
b.) semicolon
c.) colon
6.) A sentence that utilizes each of the above punctuation marks properly, and be able
to identify WHY that punctuation mark is suitable for that sentence.
Tuesdays with Morrie Guided Reading Questions
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences..
1.) Who got more out of their Tuesday meetings, Mitch or Morrie? What did each of
them learn as they met?
2.) How did Mitch change during the book? Did your opinion of Mitch change? How?
3.) Morrie referred to himself as a bridge, a person between life and death, which made
him useful to others as a tool to understand both. Talk about the literary, political or
religious figures who have also served this purpose.
4.) Look up the literary term metaphor. How is the hibiscus plant in Morrie's study a
metaphor for his life as well as for life in general?
5.) Why did Mitch always bring food when he went to visit Morrie? Discuss the
importance of this ritual.
6.) What does Morrie mean by the statement “love or perish”?
7.) Has there been an adult in your life who has had a significant impact on your
thinking, your values or lifestyle and who therefore helped you to become the
person you are? Explain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the English department by e-mail:
[email protected] or [email protected]