English II Summer Assignment
Because we believe that in order to be successful in our school, in college, and beyond,
students must continue to sharpen their skills during the summer.
Students will prepare the following assignment before the first day of class in English II.
Please respond to each assignment below in the same Word document. Please provide
headings in your document to indicate which part of this assignment you are responding
to. Also, all writing should be clear, focused, supported by specific evidence, and
mechanically sound.
The Alchemist, By Paulo Coelho
Pre-reading:
Please read the Prologue of the Novel.
1. What is the main theme or idea of the Prologue? Predict how this might relate to the
book you are about to read (1-2 paragraphs).
During:
1. Students will read Part 1 (page 3-47) Annotate for questions, connections and
important details. Students may record questions and connections on chart
provided or on sticky notes throughout the book (please do not write in books).
A. Please write a 1-paragraph summary of the section.
B. Focus on one particularly important scene from the section. In an articulate, developed
paragraph, discuss why this scene is important. Does it reveal something important about
character? Does it develop a theme? Is the writing particularly vivid, etc.?
C. What do you predict will happen in Part 2 of the book (1 Paragraph)?
2. Students should complete the book, continuing with annotations as they read.
Students may record questions and connections on chart provided or on sticky notes
throughout the book (please do not write in books).
A. Complete summary of book.
B. As you did for part one, discuss another critical scene and explain why it is important.
Post Reading:
1. In 1 – 2 paragraphs, explain what you think is a central theme of this book. Be
sure to provide details from the book as support for that theme.
2. Would you recommend this book to someone else? Explain (1 – 2 Paragraphs).
3. Considering that this novel incorporates the concept of journey – please select an
artifact from your own life’s journey (picture, article of clothing, memorabilia) that has
been important to your own personal journey.
Please prepare a written explanation (your final paragraph) of this artifact and how it
relates to your
own journey.
Feel free to email if you have questions during the summer: chris.gilbert@bcsemail.org
Please know that this assignment is also published on my BCEC staff webpage.
The Alchemist Annotation Chart
Page
Line
Question, Connection, or
Reaction