& ACADEMY
Phone 262-359-8700
Maria Kotz
Principal
Jennifer Knight
Assistant Principal
Fax 262-359-8756
Anthony Casper
Assistant Principal
Amy Riedlinger
Assistant Principal
May 18, 2015
Dear Comprehensive Honors English Freshmen & Communications Academy Freshmen:
Congratulations on your acceptance into the comprehensive honors English program or
Communications Academy! As part of our curriculum, you will be required to read a
novel this summer and do some work with it in preparation for the first days of your
English class.
There are many reasons for summer reading! We would like to see you read for
enjoyment while increasing your reading skills. The more you read, not only will your
reading and comprehension skills improve, but you will know more vocabulary and
become a better writer as well. This novel will also help you prepare for the general
topics and themes of freshmen English.
You will be reading the American classic Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. You may
borrow a copy of the novel from the Indian Trail main office (these books will be
returned to your English teacher the first week of school). You are not required to
purchase the book; however, you may purchase your own copy to make annotation
easier.
In addition to picking up your copy of the novel in the main office, you will also receive
a packet with guided analysis questions. This packet needs to be completed by the first
day of school. This will be your first graded assignment, and the novel will serve as a
catalyst for discussing further literature.
If you have any questions about this assignment, please contact one of the freshmen
English teachers listed below. Again, the expectation is that this work is completed by
the first day of class so we can begin our unit work with it immediately.
Thank you and have a wonderful summer!
Mrs. A. Johnson [email protected]
1. Character Analysis: This graphic organizer will help you gather information on the
main character or protagonist in the novel. Please be sure to use specific examples from
the novel, including direct quotations/AWE (author’s words exactly) and page number.
Please record your AWE neatly and accurately with the page number.
You may type or write this information on a separate sheet of paper.
Copy a direct quote (AWE) from the book that shows the protagonist’s most dominant
personality trait (include page number). 3 points
Explain in 2-4 sentences how this reveals an important personality trait and why it’s
significant. 3 points
Copy a direct quote (AWE) that shows a key interaction between the protagonist and
another significant character (include page number). 3 points
Explain what this interaction reveals about their relationship. Include specific ideas and
examples in 2-4 sentences. 3 points
Explain in 4-6 sentences how the main character grows, changes, or what he/she learns
during the course of the novel. If he or she does not change, explain what keeps him or
her static. Include specific ideas from the story. 6 points
Total points earned for this page: _______/18
2. Conflict: This assignment will help guide you as you uncover the conflict(s) within
the story and the resolution(s).
Please record your AWE neatly and accurately with the page number.
You may type or write this information on a separate sheet of paper.
Find a direct quote (AWE) that shows the novel’s central conflict/problem and include
the page number. 3 points
Explain, in 3-5 sentences, how the conflict above evolves in the story. Also include the
type of conflict(s) that emerges: person vs. person, person vs. self, person vs. society,
person vs. nature. 4 points
Describe in 2-3 sentences how the conflict is resolved OR why the conflict cannot be
solved. 3 points
Describe in 3-5 sentences whether you found this novel’s resolution (the ending of the
conflict, and usually the book itself) satisfying, enjoyable, disappointing, etc., AND why.
3 points
Total points earned for this page: ___________/13
3. Analyzing a Story’s Theme: This part of the project is designed to help you discover
the theme of the novel.
Please record your AWE neatly and accurately with the page number.
You may type or write this information on a separate sheet of paper.
In a clear sentence, explain the most important message about life you think the author is
trying to express in the novel. 1 point
Please write down the first piece of evidence, a direct quotation from the text (AWE), and
explain how the evidence supports the theme or message. 4 points
Evidence #1:
Interpretation #1:
Connection to the theme:
Please write down your second piece of evidence, a direct quotation from the text
(AWE), and explain how the evidence supports the theme or message. 4 points
Evidence #2:
Interpretation #2:
Connection to the theme:
Total points earned for this page: _______/9