Uplift Hampton Preparatory High School Campus
“#NoExcuses!”
Erin Nicole Barksdale, High School Director
EBarksdale@uplifteducation.org
Jeremy Green, AP/IB Dean
JGreen@uplifteducation.org
Brady Cooper, Dean of Scholars
BCooper@upifteducation.org
LaChelle Cunningham, Dean of College Prep
LCunningham@uplifteducation.org
2015-2016 10th grade scholars:
WELCOME TO YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR!
“The common bond of humanity and decency that we share is stronger than any conflict,
any adversity. Fighting for your convictions is important. But finding peace is
paramount. Knowing when to fight and when to seek peace is wisdom.” (Moore)
2015 Summer Reading Requirements
In an effort “to empower every scholar to reach their highest potential,” each student
entering 10th grade will be required to engage in “rigorous academic experiences” in
preparation for their 2015-2016 school year course work. The following reading
assignments and projects will be completed and submitted by the deadlines listed below.
Requirements: For each of the reading selections listed below, scholars must acquire
their own copy of the text(s), either purchasing the text or checking out the selection from
a local library. Suggestions for places of purchase include Barnes and Noble, Half-Priced
Books, Amazon.com, and there are a multitude of other ways to acquire these selections,
including but not limited to, downloadable online versions and apps on cellphones.
Reading: Scholars will read 2 books; the required text AND one of the
choice texts from the list below.
Required Text: The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Choose one of the following:
1. The Chosen by Chaim Potok
2. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider by Ishmael Beah
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Uplift Hampton Preparatory High School Campus
“#NoExcuses!”
Erin Nicole Barksdale, High School Director
EBarksdale@uplifteducation.org
Jeremy Green, AP/IB Dean
JGreen@uplifteducation.org
Brady Cooper, Dean of Scholars
BCooper@upifteducation.org
LaChelle Cunningham, Dean of College Prep
LCunningham@uplifteducation.org
How can I turn in my project?
Email your assignment #1 to awaugh@uplifteducation.org or drop off a printed copy at
the front office by 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 1st. Bring assignment #2 with you to
class on the first day of school.
How much of my grade will this count for?
Your assignments will count as major grades; if you do not complete your summer
assignments, it is HIGHLY likely that you will fail Quarter 1.
Can I turn my project in late?
NO. Late projects will not be accepted under any circumstances and will receive a zero.
Please plan ahead accordingly in case of a technological issue. Bring your projects in on a
USB drive, print it and/or email it. If you do not receive a response of receipt in 3
days, re-send it.
Assignment #1
Project/Assignment Deadline: July 1st, 10:00 AM via email to
awaugh@uplifteducation.org or in person at the front desk at Hampton Preparatory. Be
sure that your project is printed and has your name and “Ms. Waugh” written on the
front.
Part One
Choose one of the three books to read.
1. The Chosen by Chaim Potok
2. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider by Ishmael Beah
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Uplift Hampton Preparatory High School Campus
“#NoExcuses!”
Erin Nicole Barksdale, High School Director
EBarksdale@uplifteducation.org
Jeremy Green, AP/IB Dean
JGreen@uplifteducation.org
Brady Cooper, Dean of Scholars
BCooper@upifteducation.org
LaChelle Cunningham, Dean of College Prep
LCunningham@uplifteducation.org
Part Two
Scholars must complete the following assignment for one of the above books to show that
they have read the book and thought about it in a meaningful way. Papers will be due
July 1st.
1. Write a 500-word minimum persuasive essay convincing your new English
teacher to either READ or NEVER READ the novel you chose. Focus on the
following questions in your essay: What was the main focus of the book? How
was the book written? Why was it written? Did it make its point? What did you
like most/least about the novel? Why should someone read/never read this novel?
Use specific evidence and quotes from the book to prove your reasoning.
Your essay must be in MLA format. For information on MLA, visit the following
website: TinyURL.com/citationMLA.
What if I need help with my project?
Email Ms. Waugh at awaugh@uplifteducation.org with any questions. Please be mindful
that you might not receive an immediate response as it is summertime.
Assignment #2
Project/Assignment Deadline: First day of school at the beginning of your class period.
Be sure that your project is printed, stapled and ready to turn in.
Part One
Read the book The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. As you read, think about the main
character’s experiences. What might the author be trying to tell us about childhood,
education, nature versus nurture, politics and peer influence?
Note: This novel will be used as the anchor text for the first few weeks of school, and you
will thus be tested on the content of the novel and be required to discuss it.
Part Two
Uplift Hampton Preparatory High School Campus
“#NoExcuses!”
Erin Nicole Barksdale, High School Director
EBarksdale@uplifteducation.org
Jeremy Green, AP/IB Dean
JGreen@uplifteducation.org
Brady Cooper, Dean of Scholars
BCooper@upifteducation.org
LaChelle Cunningham, Dean of College Prep
LCunningham@uplifteducation.org
AFTER you finish your book, choose ONE of the following projects as a response
activity. Base your project on information from the novel you read, including characters,
setting, plot events, and literary devices. Keep in mind that these projects are designed to
give you a variety of ways to demonstrate your understanding of, interpretation of, and
response to the novel. Choose a project that suits your strengths best.
1. Imagine an alternate ending to the book. Create a comic strip of at least four
panels that tells the story of your new ending. Include images, dialogue, and
setting that show your full ending. Then write an essay of at least 300 words that
explains why your ending makes sense and might be a better resolution to the
novel. *
2. Write an argumentative essay of at least 500 words on whether our upbringing
and peer/family influences our life decisions or if our own nature/personality
influences our life decisions. Use evidence from the novel. Cite quotes in MLA
format. For information on MLA, visit the following website:
TinyURL.com/citationMLA.
3. Create your own project! Make a project where you show what you learned about
the book. Then, in a 500-word essay explain your project and what you learned
from reading the book. You must use specific evidence from the book to
highlight what you took away from it.
Your essay must be in MLA format. For information on MLA, visit the following
website: TinyURL.com/citationMLA.
* Art-based projects will be graded on artistic quality and creativity. Use only paper that
is 11” x 17” or smaller—no large posters or backboards.
Written projects should be neatly typed final drafts that have been edited and corrected
for style, grammar, punctuation and spelling. All written assignments must also be saved
electronically to a file that can be retrieved from home or at school during the first week
of class.