Honors English II

Summer Assignments

2015-2016

Instructor: Ms. Melissa Bowling

  1. Read: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
  2. This book is available from the GCHS library. Ms. Norris will allow you to check it out over the summer. The book is available for check out immediately.
  3. Because this book is considered a classic, you may be able to get it for free on your kindle or nook (although a hard copy might be easier to use).
  4. There will be a test over A Separate Peace on the first day of school. This test will be worth 100 points. Be prepared.
  1. Write: Write aletter of reflection to Ms. Bowling. Throughout this letter, examine your growth as a reader and a writer. What do you feel your strengths are? What areas of writing do you feel could benefit from more study? What can you do throughout the course of the upcoming school year to further develop your writing talents? Set at least two specific goals for your writing improvements. Be sure to include a proper salutation and closing on your letter. Also, remember to use proper spelling, punctuation and grammar. Your letter must be well developed and may not contain paragraphs less than four sentences. NOTE: See the second page for further guidelines and for a template that you may follow.

The Importance of Completion

The entire summer assignment will be due on the first day our class meets. If the assignment is not complete, you will drop the class. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! This means that you will drop even if you have attempted each item and one item remains incomplete. Everything must be completed according to the given guidelines. Assignments that are completed but do not follow guidelines are unacceptable.

If summer nears a close and you feel that you are not going to complete all assignments, you may wish to contact a counselor to drop the class before school begins.

Point Value

Each individual assignment is worth 100 points; therefore, your entire summer assignment is worth 200 points:

  • A Separate Peace test (100 points)
  • Letter to Ms. Bowling (100 points)

It is extremely important to do an excellent job on the summer assignment. This will set the tone of your performance for the remainder of the school year.

High Standards

At all times, I expect each of my students to contribute 110% of their efforts to all tasks that may be attempted. So, in preparing your summer assignments, I expect you to work very hard. Please feel free to email me at if you have questions or need help. Good luck!

NOTE: This assignment will be posted on my teacher webpage at wearegchs.com all summer!

[Date]

[Type Sender’s Name]

[Sender’s Address]

[Sender’s Address]

[Type Recipient’s Name]

[Recipient’s Address]

[Use GCHS address]

Dear Mrs. Bowling:

In the first paragraph, introduce yourself. Give your name and a brief summary of yourself Be sure to include non-academic information as well as academic information. Be sure that your letter meetings the following formatting guidelines: one-inch margins, single spaced (space twice between each paragraph and between the different sections of the letter), Times New Roman font, size 12. Use this letter as a template for typing.

In the second paragraph, talk about yourself as a reader. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you love to read and what do you hate to read? What reading skills do you know you need to improve before you go to college?

In the third paragraph, discuss yourself as a writer. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What success have you had in the past and what failures/disappointments have you had? What writing skills do you know you need to improve before you to go college?

In the final paragraph, give two goals you’d like to set for yourself--one reading goal and one writing goal. Explain why these goals are worthwhile. What can the teacher do to help you meet these goals. Before you print your letter, be sure you’ve used proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Be sure that each paragraph is no less than four sentences.

[Closing,] [then enter four blank lines before typing your name]

[Type Sender’s Name]