Christian Heritage Academy Upper School
Freshman Summer Reading List
2016-2017
Dear Incoming Freshmen,
Welcome to CHA Upper School! I look forward to guiding you through a study of classic literature.
Please note that your English courses at CHAUS will call for a greater increase in independent reading at
home that will be assessed in school. Manage your reading time wisely this summer because it will prepare
you for your first year of high school.
You will be required to read both Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and The Last Battle by C.S.
Lewis. The assignments that are explained below will be due the first day of class; please bring in all of
your finished typed work and be ready to discuss these works. Your assignment will be counted as a grade
so please provide thoughtful and reflective responses. Remember, this is my first impression of you so do
your best.
Have a wonderful summer!
Mr. Chavez
[email protected]
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Biblical Allusions / Assignment #1
Introduction
An allusion is a reference to something outside the literary work that adds meaning to that work. In other
words, an allusion calls something to mind that is not mentioned explicitly in the literary work. A Biblical
allusion in a literary work, therefore, is something in that literary work that refers to the Bible. An allusion
can either be to a person, place, thing, idea, or event. For example:
Example: “Hey! Guess who the new Newton of our school is?”
Explanation: The word Newton alludes to, or refers to, the famous scientist Isaac Newton and is used
by the author to call the student a genius.
For further help with allusions, this website may help: http://literary-devices.com/content/allusion
Directions
Before reading Of Mice and Men, read Genesis chapters one through three. Even though this part of
Genesis may be familiar, please read it carefully and thoughtfully. If you have any questions about the text,
feel free to consult a Biblical Commentary. As you read Genesis, ponder over the principles, the people, the
events, and the ideas presented in the Bible. Next, begin reading Of Mice and Men. As you read, be on the
lookout for any Biblical allusions found in the novella. Think of the main and minor characters, events,
ideas, and the principles presented in the novella. At this point, you are ready to being the analysis.
Using MS Word or Google Docs, create a simple chart (see below for an example) to organize your analysis.
Your goal is to identify 5 ways in which the novella alludes to, or refers to, the Genesis 1-3 account. In the
LEFT-HAND column, write the part of the novella that alludes, or refers, to the Bible. Then, in the RIGHTHAND column, explain what in Genesis the novella references. Write in complete sentences with correct
spelling, punctuation and capitalization.
Sample Format
Your Name
English 1
Date
Biblical Allusions Found in Of Mice and Men
1
Of Mice and Men
Genesis Chapters 1-3
Include the event, character(s), ideas / themes,
or places.
Include the Bible verse with the relevant quotation and a brief explanation (1-2 sentences) of
why this verse is an allusion.
George and Lennie stay together and
travel together; they are each other’s
family.
Gen. 2: 18
This verse says “The Lord says it is not good for man to be alone.…” Even
though the verse describes God’s reason for creating Eve as a partner for
Adam, this also shows how men (or people) are not created or designed to
be alone but to be in fellowship with others.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck continued….
Dialectical Journal / Assignment #2
What is a dialectical journal?
A dialectical journal is a conversation between you and what you are reading. As you read, write down a
passage, quotation, parts of a dialogue or description that make you think, cause some confusion, express
some profound truth, contain some significant image or symbol, or articulate the human condition
truthfully. You will be able to use your dialectical journal to help complete assignments given to you during
the first week(s) of class. Therefore, you are more likely to be successful if you take the time to create a
thorough, high-quality dialectical journal.
Directions
In the LEFT-HAND column, copy or summarize intriguing, puzzling, or moving sections of the text. In the
MIDDLE column, write the page number on which the text appears. In the RIGHT-HAND column, write your
response / reaction / thoughts / questions about the text you wrote in the left-hand column. Your entries
could analyze, react to, connect with or question the text. As it is with annotation, these responses should
be varied and explicit. (A reaction of “HAHA” does not suffice. ) Typically, make an entry whenever a
natural pause in the reading occurs so that the flow of the narrative is not interrupted. For this assignment,
you will need to make seven (7) journal entries. Write in complete sentences with correct spelling,
punctuation and capitalization.
Responses can include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text;
 Give your personal reactions to the passage;
 Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or a character;
 Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences;
 Write about what it makes you think or feel;
 Argue with or speak to the character or author.
Sample Format
Your Name
English 1
Date Due
Dialectical Journal: Of Mice and Men
Source Text
Page #
Response
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
Dialectical Journal / Assignment #1
What is a dialectical journal?
See the explanation above for a refresher.
Directions
See the explanation above for a reminder. For The Last Battle, you will need to make seven (7) journal
entries. Write in complete sentences with correct spelling, punctuation and capitalization.
Sample Format
Your Name
English 1
Date
Dialectical Journal: The Last Battle
Source Text
Page #
Response