Greetings Honors Biology Students,
I know you have all been eagerly waiting to find out your Honors Biology summer reading assignment. 
This year, each of you will be choosing a different book from an extensive list. The list is attached to my
website at GHS, http://ghs.goddardusd.com/index.php?pageID=62088_4 It is alphabetical by author and
has a very brief description of the book’s topic, includes books from all fields and writing styles as well as
nonfiction and fiction. I suggest you go to amazon and read the description
about the books you are interested in reading. Choose two or three in case your
first choice is unavailable, then stop by and see me ( Room A-26 at second base
in GHS) before school is out to sign up for a specific book, or email me at
mramsay@goddardusd.com. If the book you want has already been picked by
someone else, you will need to choose another. If you are unsure of what book
to read, I would be happy to make suggestions as I have read many of these
books. Make your decisions as soon as possible, preferably before school is
out!!!
You will need a copy of the book and a composition notebook in which to keep
your journals. A composition notebook has a paperboard front and back that is
bound (pages are sewn with string) like a regular book. NO spiral notebooks or
glued notebooks! Composition Notebooks are available at Target, Wal-Mart,
Walgreens, Office Depot, etc.
As you read, you will be keeping a journal in your composition notebook. Each journal entry will consist of
two paragraphs over each chapter. The first paragraph will be a summary of the chapter, and the second will
be your thoughts, opinions, questions, likes, dislikes, anything that struck your fancy, etc, about that chapter.
Your paragraphs are to be a minimum of six sentences, but I encourage you to write more. Practice your
writing skills; writing well will be important in your future.
Set up the comp book with a table of contents
in the front to keep track of the chapters.
Number the pages of the composition
notebook like a book, only at the bottom near
the outside corners of the pages. Do not
number the Contents pages. One page (front
and back) should be enough for the Contents.
Write each chapter’s journal entries (by
chapter) in the table of contents with the date
the chapter is completed to the left and the
composition notebook page numbers where the journal entries are located to the right. (See example)
I will be looking for your thoughts and insights. Be aware of any themes you encounter throughout the book
and be prepared for a project over the book when school starts in the fall. And yes, we will be reading one or
two other books during the year. Non-fiction is not the easiest to read, but can be very interesting and
rewarding! (My high school teachers made me read non-fiction too....) 
I strongly suggest that you set goals to read each day over the summer, possibly 15 to 20 pages. This
assignment is due the first day back to school. Please contact me if you have any questions. My phone
number is 264-4745 and my e-mail is mramsay@goddardusd.com. Be aware that I do not check my e-mail
everyday and sometimes will go a week without checking. The phone is your best bet for a quicker response.
If you get the answering machine, please leave your name and the best phone number to reach you.
Have a fabulous summer. I’m looking forward to seeing and meeting you in the fall. Please bring a positive
attitude with you as that will be the single most important asset to your year for all your classes!
Miss Ramsay