English I Pre-AP Summer Reading: 2017-2018
Introduction
Welcome to Pre-AP English I. Next year, you will be freshmen entering a new stage in your life. This class will be very different from the Language Arts classes you have had in the past. The AP program is rigorous and demands your dedication, determination and responsibility. You will be challenged to move beyond the basics of Freshmen-level language arts and embrace a higher level of reading, writing, and critical thinking.
What is AP?
AP English is a program that gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. There are two AP English courses offered at Whitehouse High School: AP Language and Composition (11th grade) and AP Literature and Composition (12th grade). At the end of each AP course, the student will take an AP exam in order to attain college credit hours that correspond to the course completed. The AP Program, sponsored by the College Board, is based on the premise that college-level material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared high school students.
What should you expect in Pre-AP?
Pre-AP is designed to prepare you for both the AP Language and AP Literature courses that you will take as juniors and seniors in high school. Because the AP Language and Literature courses are college-level courses with accelerated curriculum, we begin preparing you for the rigorous demands of the program in the Pre-AP classes.
Summer Assignment
In order to keep minds active and prepare for more intense reading, Pre-AP English students will be required to read The Lord of the Flies by William Golding before the first day of school. If possible, please purchase a copy that you can take notes in. Please contact the school counselor or if you need help obtaining a copy.
In addition to READING the assigned book, you will complete an intelligent reading log. NOTE: The book must be read cover-to-cover. Cliffs Notes, Internet notes, and movies will not suffice.
Grading: The reading log for the fiction book will count as a major grade. Bring your book to class. Throughout the first nine weeks, you will have various other assignments that pertain to the summer reading novel. All assignments, tests, and essays dealing with your summer reading will impact your 1st nine weeks average. Choosing not to read the novel or complete the reading log may result in a failing grade for the 1st nine weeks.
Have a great summer! I look forward to meeting you in the fall!
English I Pre-AP Summer Reading: 2017-2018
Reading Log Guide
In order to get the most out of your summer reading and to best prepare for the writing you will be doing the first few weeks of school, you will be using interactive reading strategies as you complete your summer reading.
· On your computer, you will make a chart like the example below with two columns.
· Use the left column to record names of characters, themes, symbols, conflict and quotations from the book. Include page numbers with quotations.
· Use the right column to record your reactions and opinions (commentary) of the items in the left column, which would also include any questions you have while you are reading.
· You must type your journal using Times New Roman 12 point font. I recommend you make the table in Google Docs, Excel or Microsoft Word.
· It is due the first day of class for a grade!
General Guidelines: Include TEN entries total for the fiction novel containing the following:
· List TWO main characters with some reflection. Who are they and what do you think of them? Include page numbers which reveal the character in detail: appearance, attitude, conflicts, major events, etc.
· List ONE theme with some reflection. What message is the author saying about people or life in general?
· List ONE symbol with some reflection. What is the larger meaning of the object? Support your idea with text evidence including page number.
· List ONE major conflict from the novel with some reflection. Is this internal or external? Use the conflict which involves one character you listed above. Support your idea with text evidence including page number.
· Type out FIVE cited (page number) quotations (phrases, sentences, dialogue) with your explanation of their importance. You may also cite examples of figurative language: similes, metaphors, personification, etc. This reflection should be a minimum of three sentences per quotation. Use correct MLA citation or see example below.
· Your notes need to be thorough and thoughtful. They should be approximately a paragraph long and MUST be your original thought. Any information/commentary pulled from the internet is cheating and will result in a zero.
Use this sample of a partial reading log for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton as a model.
Student NameThe Outsiders by S.E. Hinton / My reaction
Character:
Ponyboy Curtis
Pages: 2, 5, 7, 29, 54, 47, 99 / He is fourteen years old, and he belongs to this gang called the Greasers. His parents died in a car accident, so he lives with his
brothers. He seems pretty smart, but his brothers make fun of him. Ponyboy is also the guy telling the story.
Who is Paul Newman?
Character:
Darry
Pages: 6, 23, 33, 44-46, 94 / Darry is Ponyboy’s oldest brother. He looks up to Darry, and I can see why. Darry works all the time, and they get to eat chocolate cake for breakfast. My brother is nothing like Darry because he could never take care of me if anything happened to our parents.
Theme:
Symbol:
Conflict:
Meaningful Quote 1:
“It's okay. We aren't in the same class.
Just don't forget that some of us watch the sunset, too” (46). / Ponyboy said this to Cherry. This is an important quotation because it shows that Ponyboy realizes that people are all
the same – rich or poor. We all live under the same sun.
It doesn’t matter if we are a Soc or a Greaser-life has the same ups and downs. Ponyboy said this to Cherry because she
doesn’t like the division between the two groups. After this conversation, Cherry started to realize that not everyone has the
same advantages as she does.
Meaningful Quote 2:
Meaningful Quote 3:
Meaningful Quote 4:
Meaningful Quote 5:
*** If you do not have access to a computer, you may NEATLY handwrite these assignments. ***
Name: Class Period:
Reading Log Grading Rubric
CATEGORY / 20 points / 15 points / 10 points / 5 pointsFormat / Correct Format was used. T-Chart, 12 point Times New Roman Font, Neat / Mostly correct format was used. One component may be missing or incorrect / Somewhat correct format was used. Two components may be missing or incorrect / Incorrect format was used. Three or more components were missing or incorrect
Completion / 10 entries are complete as directed / 8-9 entries are complete as directed / 5-7 entries are complete as directed / 1-4 entries are complete as directed
Commentary / Insightful commentary providing excellent explanation of text evidence. Connects clearly to the text. / Good commentary providing good explanation of text evidence. Mostly connects to the text. / Adequate commentary providing a decent explanation of text evidence. Somewhat connects to the text. / Inadequate or superficial commentary with little or no explanation of text evidence. Weakly connects to the text or may be only a summary rather than commentary.
Characters, theme, symbol,
conflict
(5 total) / All characters, themes, and symbols used are facts, are credible, and cited correctly. / Information is mostly credible, mostly cited correctly, but something is missing or incorrect. / Some information is credible, cited correctly, but two components are missing or incorrect. / Incorrect, fallible (suspect) information or citations are used and/or missing.
Quotations
(5 total) / All used for quotes are credible and cited correctly. / Most sources are credible, and most are cited correctly. / Some sources are credible, and some are cited correctly. / Few sources are credible, and/or few are cited correctly.
**If you did not complete this assignment, please write the following statement on paper, sign it, and turn it in:
I did not complete the required summer reading log, and I understand that this is a major grade, it may not be turned in late and my grade will be a 0 for this assignment.
English I Supplies 2017-2018
Mrs. Cook
**Please come to the first day of class with supplies.**
1. General daily supplies:
o Pens: black, blue, red, and green or purple
o Highlighters
o Loose-Leaf Notebook Paper
2. One subject Spiral Notebook
3. 1 ½ " or 2" three-ring notebook with 3 dividers for sections labeled:
o Writing
o Literature
o Grammar
*You may share a notebook with another subject if you are well organized.
4. Girls - 1 Box Kleenex (to be turned in)
5. Boys - 1 Bottle Hand Sanitizer (to be turned in)
Other novels used throughout the year recommended for purchase include:
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
No Fear Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet by Spark Notes
Upper classmen may have these available to sell. Ask someone!