Shadow Ridge HS English 1/2 Honors 2015­2016 Suggested Summer Reading Assignment Congratulations on your promotion to high school! You all should be very proud of yourselves. The English 1/2 Honors course is academically challenging and rigorous, as you will be beginning your journey of in­depth study of language, writing, literature, and critical thinking. In order to prepare you for the material and skills you will encounter throughout the year, we are suggesting you participate in the Suggested Summer Reading Assignment. Research has shown that without practice student’s lose significant reading skills over the summer months. Research has also proven that regular reading can greatly boost test scores and imperative reading skills that will be utilized throughout high school. Reading, and all the various process it involves, is important intellectual labor that can be the gateway to developing a life of serious independent learning. To encourage reading we are offering extra credit for this year’s Suggested Summer Reading Assignment. Each summer, students who take honors and AP level English courses are encouraged to read assigned works of literary merit, and works that provide the specific and necessary literary background for later studies. The assignments are due on the first Friday of the 2014­2015 school year. They are outlined below. Summer Reading Novel and Assignments (Part One/Part Two): Select one novel from the following list: Ethan Frome,​
by Edith Wharton I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You​
, by Ally Carter Milkweed: A Novel​
, by Jerry Spinelli The Alchemist​
, by Paulo Coelho To Kill a Mockingbird, ​
by Harper Lee Part One: Double Column Journal Notes:​
As you read the novel complete Double Column Journal Notes (DCJ). It is essential to reflect upon our readings so that we may become more insightful, intelligent people. Your double column notes will help you accomplish this. By summarizing what you have read you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the topic, but by reflecting upon each section you broaden your scope of understanding and become a more critical thinker. These are necessary skills to possess as you work your way towards the Advanced Placement Program. You will need to complete Double Column Journal Notes for each part of the literary work. Please see the attached example. Shadow Ridge HS English 1/2 Honors 2015­2016 Suggested Summer Reading Assignment Double Column Journal Example Using ​
Lord of the Flies Summary Ch_____ pg _____ to ______ In this chapter… Reaction Questions Comments Concerns Quotes Themes Character identification I think that…. I predict that… This reminds me of… EXAMPLE EXAMPLE Ch. 1 pg 1­15 I wonder how I would feel if I were Ralph and Piggy get stranded on stranded on an island. Would I an island when their plane crashes. panic, or have it together like They explore the island and find a Ralph? Piggy seems really smart, conch shell. Ralph blows the conch like my friend Joe. I do not like the and many other children come to way that Jack seems to push Piggy where they are standing. This is around, though. It reminds me a lot where we meet Jack. The children of bullies I have known. Jack elect a leader: Ralph. Jack, Ralph, seemed pretty confident at the end and Simon explore the island and of the chapter that he would kill a Jack almost kills a pig. pig “next time.” I predict that he will, since he seemed so sure about it. Simile – “the sandy edge of the pool loomed up like a hillside.” *Responses may be longer than this, but they may not be shorter. Each page of your reading journal should contain no more than three chapters.* Shadow Ridge HS English 1/2 Honors 2015­2016 Suggested Summer Reading Assignment Part Two: Theme​
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First, let’s define it. Theme is the central message of a literary work. It is not the same as a subject, which can be expressed in a word or two: courage, survival, war, pride….A theme is an idea or message the author wishes to convey about that subject. It is expressed as a sentence or general statement about life or human nature. A literary work can have more than one theme, and most themes are not directly stated but are implied. Example: ​
The Perks of Being a Wallflower​
is a thoughtful coming­of­age story that conveys several different themes on different levels. The themes offer a great opportunity for discussion and should help you gain insight into your upcoming high school careers. Here are five examples of topics within the coming­of­age theme. ●
Our shared experiences help us validate and understand each other. ●
You are not alone. ●
Enjoy the moment. ●
"We accept the love we think we deserve." ●
We are all affected by others' choices. And, our choices affect others. Write a brief essay focusing on the coming­of­age theme of the novel you choose. Choose a passage that reflects this theme and what life lesson can be learned from it. Give evidence from the text that supports your argument. This assignment needs to be typed, 12 pt Times New Roman font, double spaced, and can be no longer than 500 words. Include a header in MLA format.