Dear Performing Arts Academy student,
In an effort to continue the progress you have made so far with your critical, analytical, reading, and writing skills, we are requiring you to read the following novels over the summer:
Incoming Sophomore Titles:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Honors – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Incoming Junior Titles:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Honors – The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Incoming Senior Titles:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
A Long Way Gone; Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishamel Beah
Honors – The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Honors classes are required to read all THREE books.
Your assignment is to create a picture blog for each novel. Please see the instructions below. This assignment is due via e-mail by August 25, 2015. Send the links to your blogs (2 links per student; 3 links per Honors students) to with your name and grade level in the subject line.
Summer Reading Blog – WordPress Instructions
v Use the URL https://wordpress.com to create a free website/blog for each novel.
v First, create a name for your personal URL. This title can relate to your book or project.
v The website requires your email, username, and a password.
v After, you have the option of choosing a theme. Choose one that is appropriate for the type of blog you are creating. The theme can always be changed once the blog is created.
v After choosing a theme, choose the “Free Plan” option.
v On your profile page there is a pencil icon in the top right corner. This enables you to write a blog post.
v While creating a blog post you can add a title, text, and media.
v In order to add pictures, click the “add media” icon. This enables you to insert pictures that are saved to your computer. You also can copy and paste a link to a photo if you do not want the actual photo in the post.
v You are required to add 10 pictures per blog/novel. The pictures can be taken from Google or from your own photography. The pictures need to apply to the five following literary devices: tone, character, setting, theme, symbols. You need 2 pictures per literary device, adding up to 10 pictures.
v Underneath each picture, write a 2-5 sentence caption detailing why you chose this photo to represent this literary device for this novel.
v Once you are finished creating the post, you have the option of publishing or saving it as a draft.
v After publishing, click the “My Website” icon in the top left corner. This enables you to see what you have published and how your site is set up.
v If you are unhappy with the setup of your blog, the option to change your theme is still available.
v There are many options on the bottom left of the “My Website” page to customize your blog. These options are listed under the “look and feel” section.
v Email all links to your blogs to by August 25, 2015 with your full name and grade level in the e-mail.
Have an excellent, safe, and well-deserved summer vacation. We look forward to a fantastic, productive, and successful year.
Best Wishes,
The English Department at PAA -- Ms. Basile, Mr. Mastroianni, Ms. Weinberg
Dear Student,
The English department is excited to introduce you to a wonderful opportunity that ties poetry, an essential aspect of the study of literature, to the essential elements of performing. Poetry Out Loud is a national, tiered, poetry recitation competition.
PoetryOutLoud.org says:
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with U.S. state arts agencies to support Poetry Out Loud, a contest that encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
After successful pilot programs in Washington, DC, and Chicago, Poetry Out Loud was launched in high schools nationwide in the spring of 2006 and has grown to involve millions of students across the country.
PAA has been involved in this competition since 2007, and we look forward to another successful year. In an effort to streamline the process, the English Department is jumpstarting registration for this upcoming academic year.
We encourage you to visit: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/ to gain a better understanding of the entire process. At the beginning of the year we will hold an interest meeting during lunch and activity periods. Our meeting will outline the details of future events for the competition, and we will be able to answer any questions you might have.
Should you have any questions about anything prior to our interest meeting, please contact any of the English teachers at the e-mail addresses below.
Mr. Mastroianni –
Ms. Weinberg –
Ms. Basile –
We hope you have an exceptional and safe (short) summer!
Best Wishes,
The English Department at PAA
Ms. Basile
Mr. Mastroianni
Ms. Weinberg