Freshman Honors English Summer Assignment
Hello, I’m Mrs. DeCosta! Congratulations on your acceptance into the Freshman Honors
English Program for the 2015-2016 school year! Be proud to be part of this challenging,
unique learning environment for talented, diligent students. This class works through
thematic units, and our 1st one is entitled “Growing Up.” To prepare for this topic, you will be
completing a summer assignment. Here are the particulars:
1. First, choose one of the following books. Read the book—not a web site, not a movie—
in its entirety. You can purchase your own copy or sign out a copy from Triton’s main
office after June 23rd:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (by Betty Smith)
Great Expectations (by Charles Dickens)
2. Next, choose one movie to watch from the list below; all of the movies relate to our 1st
theme. You may watch the movie with a partner or group if you wish—make it a party!
Stand By Me
The Hunger Games
Freaky Friday
Clueless
Alice in Wonderland
13 Going on 30
Dirty Dancing
Slumdog Millionaire
Soul Surfer
Peter Pan
Alladin
Dead Poet’s Society
Lion King
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Never Been Kissed
16 Candles
The Goonies
Good Will Hunting
The Last Song
Matilda
Big
Home Alone
17 Again
Juno
A Christmas Story
The Sandlot
Mean Girls
Harry Potter (any)
My Girl
The Heathers
3. Finally, get a folder—any kind with 2 pockets will do. The following items MUST be
placed in the folder and the folder MUST be brought to school on 9/9/15:
a. Quotes- Choose 10 quotes (exact lines/passages), that you found awesome,
from your novel. For each quote, write a 4-7 sentence explanation as to why you
liked it, who was speaking, to whom it was spoken and why it was significant to
the plot of the novel; be sure to cite the page number on which the quote
appeared. These must be typed.
b. Characters- Choose a total of 5 characters, whom you found interesting, from a
mix of your novel and movie. For each character, write a 4-7 sentence
explanation as to what their personality/appearance was like and role they
played in the novel/film. These must be typed
c. Conflicts- Choose a total of 5 conflicts (problems or struggles) from a mix of your
novel and movie. For each conflict, write a 4-7 sentence explanation as to what
was the cause, who was involved, and what was the resolution (if any). These
must be typed.
d. Theme- The theme of 1st marking period is “Growing Up.” Choose a total of 5
examples from a mix of your novel and movie that relate to our theme. For each
example, write a 4-7 sentence explanation as to how and why a specific
scene/event connected to the theme of “Growing Up.” These must be typed.
e. DESIGN A DECORATIVE COVER FOR THE OUTSIDE OF THE FOLDER (i.e. pictures,
symbols, stickers, drawings, photos, etc. that relate to the contents within the
folder)
4. Be prepared to talk about your novel and movie in Socratic Seminar format as well.
Any questions—email me at [email protected] or call 856-939-4500. Have a wonderful
summer, and I look forward to seeing all of you in the fall!