Austin High School
Incoming 9 Grade Pre-AP Summer Reading Assignment 2014-2015
(All Pre-AP English I and AGS Pre-AP English I students)
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Why do we have a summer reading assignment?
The key to being a great reader is to read extensively, and the key to being a great writer is
exposure to great writing. Reading is not something that we want you to do just during the school
year; life-long learners are also life-long readers. Summer provides time to enjoy uninterrupted
reading and allows students to digest ideas prior to discussing and analyzing writing in class.
What is the summer reading assignment?
Part I: Read Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
Part II: Complete a Major Events Outline that includes a total of twenty events.
Synopsis of Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of Jem and Scout Finch
who live in Alabama with their father, Atticus, during the Great Depression.
They must grapple with their small town’s racial and social prejudices while
dealing with the daily challenges of growing up.
When is the summer reading and assignment due?
Complete the reading and Major Events Outline before the first day of school, Monday, August 25.
Who is responsible for completing the assignment?
All incoming Pre-AP freshmen students should complete the assignment.
How will we use the summer reading assignment and novel in class?
The novel should be read by the first day of school. We recommend students highlight and
take notes regarding important events and characters in their novels as they read.
The Major Events Outline will count as a portion of a reading diagnostic quiz given the first
week of school. Students will be able to use the Major Events Outline on the quiz. The quiz
will average as a Level 2 grade (the equivalent of an announced quiz).
We will focus on key scenes from the novel to begin our study of literary terms, annotation
skills, and close reading strategies.
How do I complete the Major Events Outline?
Outlines must be typed and saved electronically. You will turn in a typed hard copy the first
day of school. We will then give instructions on how to turn in an electronic copy.
Formatting: Your outline should have twenty numbered entries that should include the
following. See the back of this handout for a sample entry.
Citation (the chapter and page number)
Major Event description including details of characters involved, setting, and
circumstance (think: who, what, where, when, why).
How do I receive full credit on the Major Events Outline?
To receive full credit, your outline must include the number of events as listed below:
Chapters 1-5
Include 4 major events, with chapter and page number(s).
Chapters 6-11
Include 4 major events, with chapter and page number(s).
Chapters 12-15
Include 3 major events, with chapter and page number(s).
Chapters 16-20
Include 3 major events, with chapter and page number(s).
Chapters 21-25
Include 3 major events, with chapter and page number(s).
Chapters 26-31
Include 3 major events, with chapter and page number(s).
In addition, the event should follow the formatting of the sample entry below as well as include
details of character, setting, and circumstance. Failure to include these details or follow
instructions will result in a deduction of points.
Full Credit Sample Entry:
1. Chapter 1, pp 7-9:
Scout and Jem meet Dill, who lives with his aunt in Maycomb each summer. They
quickly become friends through playing in the treehouse, performing plays, and
investigating “The Radley Place.”
Incomplete Sample Entry:
1. Chapter 1 Scout and Jem meet a friend and play together over the summer.
If I have questions about this assignment over the summer, who can I contact?
In June, contact Mrs. Ault:
[email protected]
In July, contact Mrs. Lawless:
[email protected]
In August, contact Mr. Miller:
[email protected]