Summer Assignment 2017
IB English 11/Mrs. Hall
Welcome to IB English 11! Your summer assignment for this class is going to be different from what you were
probably expecting. This summer I am not asking you to read a novel and comment on it. Instead, I am asking
you to respond to a series of questions designed to help me learn more about you, and to help you begin thinking
about some of the tasks we will be completing during the school year. If you have any questions about this
assignment during the summer, please email me at [email protected].
Format: Please respond with great thought and care. Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Your
responses MUST be typed. Please type the question (as I have written it on this assignment sheet) and then your
response. Please be neat, organized, and consistent in the formatting of your paper. Your responses should be
single-spaced in an 11-12 point font that is easy to read. Please use complete sentences with all sections except
the Demographic Information. Unless otherwise noted, there isn’t a length requirement for your responses. In
most cases, a few well-worded sentences are sufficient. A portion of your grade will depend on how well you
follow these directions.
DUE DATE: You must email this assignment to me by midnight on Monday, July 24th. My email is
[email protected]. Put your first and last name in the subject line and attach it as a MS Word document.
Submitting it by this date will give me time to read your responses prior to the first day of class. There are no
exceptions! Submit this assignment early if you are planning to be out of town on due date. Or, submit it early just
to check if off the list of your summer assignments. The assignment is worth 100 points. Late work will be
penalized 10 points per day.
Please respond to all of the following questions:
Demographic Information
This is the easy section. I’ll use the email address you list here to form an email group.
1. What is your full name?
2. What is the name you prefer to be called?
3. What is your email address?
4. Other than English, what other languages do you speak fluently?
5. Where were you born?
6. How old were you when you moved to Auburn?
Hobbies/Extracurricular Activities/Academic Subjects
7. What are your hobbies? Why do you enjoy these particular activities?
8. What extracurricular activities are you involved in either inside or outside of school?
9. What is your favorite academic subject? Why?
Reading Habits
10. Who are some of your favorite authors? Which works of theirs are your favorites?
11. If you were going to recommend one book/play to a friend, what would it be and why?
12. What was your favorite book/play you’ve read in an English class? Why?
Culture
The texts we read during the first semester are Works in Translation. This means they were originally written in
another language. Part of our study of these works will include examining how specific aspects of the culture
influenced the text. For example, while studying a play written in the late 1800’s in Norway, we will discuss how
the culture of Norway at the time influenced the plot, characters, themes, etc. of the text. So, that said, please
respond in one well-written paragraph to the following question:
13. What is one thing about your culture that has had a strong influence on you? Why?
College/Career
At this point, you may be uncertain about your college, major, and career choices. That’s okay. Give me your
honest responses to these questions at this point in your life.
14. To which colleges are you interested in applying?
15. In what areas are you interesting in majoring?
16. What careers are you interested in pursuing?
Group and Individual Presentations
You will be responsible for many presentations over the next two years. So, one of the things we do in my class at
the beginning of the first semester is work on improving your presentation skills.
17. When was the last time you gave either a group or individual presentation? What was the topic? Do you
feel it was successful or not? Why?
18. When you are watching other people give presentations, what is one thing they do that you consider the
most distracting? Why?
19. What is one thing they do that you consider to be the most helpful? Why?
20. What is one presentation skill you would like to improve? Why?
21. What do you consider your strongest presentation skill? Why?
IB Learner’s Profile
The characteristics listed below are used to describe IB learners. Choose the TWO characteristics that
best describe you as a learner. For each, give a SPECIFIC example or anecdote that shows how you have
demonstrated this quality. (one paragraph for each characteristic)
Inquirer: Curious & independent learner who loves learning
Knowledgeable: Explores concepts, seeking in-depth knowledge
Thinker: Approaches complex problems critically & creatively
Communicator: Expresses ideas confidently & creatively
Principled: Acts with honesty & integrity; takes responsibility for actions
Open-minded: Open to perspectives & values of others
Caring: Shows empathy & compassion; personal commitment to service
Risk-taker: Approaches unfamiliar situations with courage & independence of spirit
Balanced: Understands importance of intellectual, physical & emotional balance
Reflective: Gives thoughtful consideration to his/her learning & experience
22. What is one IB Learner characteristic and example that describes you?
23. What is a second IB Learner characteristic and example that describes you?
CAS (Creativity/Action/Service)
If you have friends and/or family members in the IB program, you’ve probably heard them mention CAS. You’ll
hear a lot more about it at the beginning of the school year, but, for now, I want you to respond to a few questions
that are intended to help you begin thinking about how you might choose to fulfill the CAS requirement. CAS is
an acronym for Creativity, Action, Service. Please respond in one-paragraph to the following questions about
each category of CAS.
Creativity
The Creativity category is designed to help you develop your skills in Arts or any other experiences that require
creative thinking (Band, Choir, Art, Photography, Dance, Creative Writing, Theatre, Music, etc.).
24. Below are two sets of questions regarding the Creativity category. Choose the ONE (A or B) that applies
to you and your current level of involvement in this category.
a. What activities are you currently involved in that require you to utilize the creative side of your
brain? How long have you been engaged in these activities? Why do you enjoy them? How do
you believe they help you in other areas of your life? What are your strengths in these areas?
What opportunities do you see for growth/improvement in these areas? What are your goals with
these creative activities?
b. What activities would you like to become involved in during the next two years? Why do you
believe these would be good learning opportunities for you? What do you believe would be your
strengths in these areas? Your weaknesses? Your goals?
Action
The Action category includes activities that are intended to promote physical exertion and a healthy lifestyle.
These may include your involvement in a sport, or they may include activities you are involved in on your own
(soccer, running, track, tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, weight training, volleyball, etc.).
25. Below are two sets of questions regarding the Action category. Choose the ONE (A or B) that applies to
you and your current level of involvement in this category.
a. What activities are you currently involved in that require physical exertion and promote a healthy
lifestyle? How long have you been involved in these activities? Why do you enjoy them? How do
you believe they help you in other areas of your life? What are your strengths in these areas?
What opportunities do you see for growth/improvement in these areas? What are your goals with
these activities?
b. What activities would you like to become involved in during the next two years? Why do you
believe these would help promote a healthier lifestyle for you? What do you believe would be
your strengths? Your weaknesses? Your goals?
Service
The Service category is designed to allow you to participate in unpaid, volunteer activities within the community
that allow you to learn and grow as a member of society.
26. Below are two sets of questions regarding the Service category. Choose the ONE (A or B) that applies to
you and your involvement in this catetory.
a. What volunteer activities are you already involved in? How long have you been involved in these
activities? Why did you choose them? Why do you believe these activities are good learning
opportunities for you? What are your goals in these activities?
b. What volunteer activities would you like to become involved in during the next two years? Why
do you believe these would be good learning opportunities for you? What might your goals be if
you became involved in these activities?
Additional comments
This last section is optional. If there is anything else you’d like to add that I didn’t think to ask, or just something
that you want me to know about you, please respond. If there’s nothing, then you are done.
Lastly, please follow ALL directions and give me FULL and THOUGHFUL answers. Remember that this is my
first impression of you. Make it a good one!
Have a wonderful summer! See you in August.
Mrs. Hall
[email protected]