Summer Reading 2015 for All Honors and AP Classes
Rising 8th Grade Honors English:
Required Reading:
1) Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, OR
2) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Required Writing:
After reading one of the books from the reading list, Honor student candidates will complete four journal
entries as described below. Each entry must be typed (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) and all entries
must be stapled together. These journal entries should be thorough, thoughtful, and complete.
Journal Entry #1: Provide a detailed overview of the book. First, write out the book’s title (remember
to italicize), the author’s name, the copyright date and the number of pages. Second, write a brief
summary of the book’s plot in at least 200 of your very own words. Be sure to address what happens in
the beginning, the middle, and the end of the book.
Journal Entry #2: Explore the book’s characters. Make a list of the main characters and list five
adjectives to describe each one. Describe your first impressions of the protagonist. Describe your first
impressions of the antagonist. Cite at least three text examples that support your response for the
protagonist. Cite at least another three text examples that support your response for the antagonist. Your
text response will be support/evidence that your impression is justified.
Journal Entry #3: Explore the book’s significance. In 3-5 clear, complete sentences, discuss the life
lessons you found significant in this book. What does the book offer to readers that makes it
worthwhile? Will the book be more valuable to some people than others? Explain using details and
examples from the book.
Journal Entry #4: Explore your response to the book. In 3-5 clear sentences, discuss your experience
reading the book. What did you like the most? What did you dislike the most? Explain using details and
examples from the book.
Important Considerations:
The journal assignments are due the first day of class. Demonstrate your readiness to be an Honors
student by doing a great job with this assignment and by turning it in on time. View this assignment as
your application to be an 8th Grade Honors student.
Rising 9th Grade Honors English:
Required Reading:
1) Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther, OR
2) The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, OR
3) A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Required Writing:
After reading one of the books from the reading list, Honor student candidates will complete six journal
entries as described below. Each entry must be typed (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) and all entries
must be stapled together. These journal entries should be thorough, thoughtful, and complete.
Journal Entry #1: Provide a detailed overview of the book. First, write out the book’s title (remember
to italicize), the author’s name, the copyright date and the number of pages. Second, write a brief
summary of the book’s plot in at least 200 of your very own words. Be sure to address what happens in
the beginning, the middle, and the end of the book.
Journal Entry #2: Explore the significance of the title. Authors rarely choose a title randomly. Dig for
symbolic meaning. The title may be a metaphor or it may represent some specific incident in the book. In
any case, consider carefully the significance of the title and explain your thinking.
Journal Entry #3: Explore the book’s characters. Make a list of the main characters and list five
adjectives to describe each one. Describe your first impressions of the protagonist. Describe your first
impressions of the antagonist. Cite at least three text examples that support your response for the
protagonist. Cite at least another three text examples that support your response for the antagonist. Your
text response will be support/evidence that your impression is justified.
Journal Entry #4: Explore a significant passage from the book. Pick a passage that you think is
special, either because it addresses something important in the story or because it addresses something
important to you as a person. Write the passage down word for word. Remember to use quotation marks
and to cite the passage by accurately providing the page number the passage can be found on. Next,
explain why you chose the passage. Dig deep and make connections here as if you were writing to
someone unfamiliar with the book.
Journal Entry #5: Explore the book’s significance. In 5-8 clear, complete sentences, discuss the life
lessons you found significant in this book. What does the book offer to readers that makes it worthwhile?
Will the book be more valuable to some people than others? Explain using details and examples from the
book.
Journal Entry #6: Explore your response to the book. In 5-8 clear sentences, discuss your experience
reading the book. What did you like the most? What did you dislike the most? Explain using details and
examples from the book.
Important Considerations:
The journal assignments are due the first day class without exception. Demonstrate your readiness to be
an Honors student by doing a great job with this assignment and by turning it in on time. View this
assignment as your application to be a 9th Grade Honors student.
Rising 10th Grade Honors:
Required Reading:
1) Night by Elie Weisel AND
2) Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Required Writing:
After reading the books from the list, Honor student candidates will complete a total of five journal entries as
described below. Please note that the first two journal topics should each be done for both novels, while entry
#3 involves comparing the two novels. Each entry must be typed (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) and all
entries must be stapled together. These journal entries should be thorough, thoughtful, and complete. Being
in honors is not a right. Consider this your honors audition.
For each novel:
Journal Entry #1: Explore a significant passage from the text. For each novel, pick a passage that you
think is important or striking, either because it addresses something important in the story or because it
addresses something important to you as a person. Write the passage down word for word. Remember to use
quotation marks and to cite the passage by accurately providing the page number the passage can be found on.
Next, analyze the passage and explain why you chose it in at least 150 words. (Words from the passage itself
do not count toward this requirement.) Dig deep and make connections here as if you were writing to someone
unfamiliar with the book.
Journal Entry #2: Explore the book’s significance. For each novel, discuss the life lessons or themes you
found significant in this book. What does the book offer to readers that makes it worthwhile? Will the book
be more valuable to some people than others? Explain in at least 150 words, using details and examples from
the book, cited by page number.
For both Night and Life of Pi:
Journal Entry #3: Explore the idea of illusion in each book. In at least 250 words, compare and contrast
what the two books say about illusion and reality. How do the protagonists (both teenage boys thrown into
horrific circumstances) create or destroy illusions as they learn to cope with their situations? You should
include at least one sentence-long quotation, cited by page number, from each book.
Important Considerations:
• Journal assignments must be turned in the first week of class. Late summer assignments will not
be accepted. Summer reading assignments will be your first grade of the quarter, and you will be
writing your first essay using the reading.
• Vague answers or summaries that come straight from SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. are not
acceptable.
Rising 11th Honors English:
Required Reading:
1) The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, AND
2) Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington OR Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Required Writing:
You will be required to keep a reading log for each literary piece that contains no fewer than 5 entries per
log. That means that you will have a minimum of 10 entries total. No entry should be shorter than 150
words.
In each of these entries, focus on areas of the text that stick out in your mind. Analyze what the author is
doing with language and what message(s) he is trying to convey. It is okay to openly question or discuss
passages that confuse you or make you draw connections to history, personal experience, or other pieces
of literature. Your entries may cover large or short sections of the text, but the key is to be specific.
Vague answers will not be acceptable.
Important Considerations:
Reading logs must be turned in the first day of class. (If you are an honors cadet, “late work” should not
be in your vocabulary. Therefore, late summer assignments will not be accepted.)
Vague answers or summaries that come straight from SparkNotes are completely unacceptable. Being in
honors is not a right. Consider this your honors audition.
Rising 12th Honors English:
Required Reading:
1) How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster, AND
2) A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Required Writing:
Typed 500+ word essay addressing the question, what are the merits of Foster’s recommendation that we
use memory, pattern, and the symbolic imagination to better understand literature? Be sure to use
specific examples from Foster's book to illustrate and support your response. Use MLA rules for
formatting.
Expect to write an essay on A Brave New World during OT the first week of school.
Important Considerations:
These summer assignments serve two functions. First, they will set you up to get much more out of our
first quarter work together. Second, they are part of your audition for enrollment in the honors section of
British Literature & Composition. To secure your candidacy as an honors student, you must demonstrate
that you are both capable and willing to work at the required level.
Rising AP Language and Composition:
Required Reading:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, AND
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Required Writing:
For each of the texts, please succinctly and clearly answer the following questions:
1. Choose one significant passage from each text. In at least three, thoughtful, well-balanced sentences
contextualize and analyze the passage.
2. What is the conflict presented in the text? How does the author develop the differing sides of that
conflict? Where do you find bias? Explain.
3. Select one sentence from each text that you feel is the strongest, in terms of writing. Do not concern
yourself with the content of the sentence as much as with the diction, sentence structure, and literary
devices used. In your paragraph, analyze the merits of the sentence you selected, arguing that it is,
indeed, a great example of English prose.
4. Consider the structure that the author develops in each text. Analyze the author’s choices: How is the
text organized? Why is it organized this way?
5. In what way does the author portray a sense of ‘otherness’ or an outsider in each story? How is this
‘otherness’ articulated; how is the outsider described? What is the author saying about otherness?
Important Considerations:
These texts have been chosen for their ability to engage and captivate an audience through narrative
and/or memoir. Moreover, they will allow you to begin to examine voice, bias, and purpose, while
wrestling with critical issues such as justice and spirituality (to name a few). It’s imperative that you
begin to look at language critically and analyze how others use their voice in telling their story, as you
find, create, or recreate your own voice throughout the course. Please bring the assignment to class on
the first day of school. It should be typed in MLA format. It will be worth 10% of your first quarter
grade. Timeliness is important; I will deduct 10% for each day that your assignment is late.
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
2015 Summer Reading Assignment
Dr. Brenda Barger
bbarger@riversidemilitary.com
Welcome to AP Lit! By signing up for this course you have indicated your desire to challenge yourself
and to attempt to earn college credit by taking the AP Exam in May. (If this does not describe you,
perhaps you have enrolled in the wrong course.) So that you may hit the ground running (and writing),
you have a little reading and thinking to do this summer. I have chosen two novels of literary merit that
my former students have found entertaining enough to read over the summer. Get some exercise and have
some fun—and remember that reading is not antithetical to these pursuits.
Assignment
Read 1)The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and 2) Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Be prepared to write an in-class essay on the works during the first week of school. The essay will be
based on a released question I will select from a former AP exam. You may find examples of such
questions by “googling” AP open ended questions.
Failure to complete the summer reading may result in removal from the class.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
Rationale for Assignment:
This is a college level course with the expectation that students are well–read and have read a significant
number of works of literary merit. In addition, reading comprehension has been shown to improve with
increased speed of reading and reading speed is best increased through reading practice. The students
will be asked to read both quickly and closely during the course to prepare for the AP exam and the
chance to earn college credit.
Objectives:
1) Increase the number of “works of literary merit” the students have read so that they may respond more
easily to the questions on the AP exam in May
2) Increase the number of works for common reference in review and discussion of literary elements and
terminology used in the analysis of literature and on the AP exam
3) Provide common recently read works for reference during week one of class when writing about
literature is the focus
4) Provide recent student writing samples of well-developed body paragraphs for analysis and revision
during week one’s focus on writing about literature
Assessment:
1) Short writings on significant passages: These paragraphs will be written early in the week (perhaps the
first day) and recorded as a writing assignment.
2) In class essay: This essay will be written on the Friday of the first week of school after the week’s
focus on writing about literature. Students who fail to read the work during the summer will have some
difficulty finding time to do so during the first week of school.
AP Physics II: Read The Elegant Universe, at least one by Hawking, and one of the others.
Should be phun!
Brian Greene
The Elegant Universe
Stephen Hawking
The Dreams that Stuff is Made Of
A Briefer History of Time
The Universe in a Nutshell
Kakalios
The Physics of Superheroes
Timothy Gay
The Physics of Football
Write a short ( ½ page per book max!) personal reflection on each of your readings. Were you interested?
Bored? Surprised? What BIG thing did you learn?
Honors Physics and AP Physics I (Formerly Honors Physics):
Any one of the three listed
above with the same ½ page reflection.
Honors & AP Chemistry:
AP Biology:
The 13th Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire& Phosphorus,
John Emsley—Expect a graded assignment in the first week of class.
Your Brain on Food: How chemicals Control Your Thoughts and Feelings (2010)Author – Gary Wenk (Write a three page summary of book)- required
The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story (1995) - Author – Richard Preston
(Write a three page summary of book) – required
Honors Biology: The Demon in the Freezer (2002) – Author – Richard Preston
(Write a three page summary of book) - required
Honors/AP World History
Read Day of Empire. (Chua, Amy. Day of Empire How Hyper-powers Rise to Global Dominance--and
Why They Fall. The Double Day Broadway Publishing Group, New York, 2007. 9780385512848)
Summer reading assignment:
1. Write a reaction journal. This is a one-page reaction to each chapter (200 words). The journal
is to be typed double-spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, left page alignment, & one inch
margins. There are twelve chapters in the book. My expectation is that you will have a completed
twelve page journal. Your journal IS TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN AUGUST 25TH
(the first day of class).
2. What is a Reaction Paper?
“Reactions” are NOT SUMMARIES, but instead include the following:
 Connections to current events or other literature you have read.
 How this chapter contributes to your understanding of the place, belief systems, politics, trade,
conflict, personalities, and time period in question.
 Excellent and relevant quotes from the book, citing page number and context, with
commentary from you about why the quote sums up important ideas to the study of the time period.
 Inferences you have made that contribute to your understanding of the time period.
 Questions – anything you did not understand in the chapter. We’ll address these questions later
in the course.
AP and Honors US History:
The Words We Live By, Linda R. Monk.
Read it before you walk into my class for the first time. Assignment: Having read the book, prepare a
demonstration of your laser-like legal mind. This assignment is to be two pages long, typed, single space
with a font size of either 12 or 14. If you simply cannot type this assignment, it may be handwritten, in
blue or black ink, single-spaced. Handwritten assignments will be four pages in length and will not be
full of scribble outs.
The topic of the writing assignment is a proposed amendment to the US Constitution of your own design.
Start with the amendment written exactly as it would appear if it were adopted into the Constitution. The
ensuing two pages (minimum) will be divided into two topics. PROS: Why you feel this amendment is
needed, what problem it addresses, and how its adoption would solve this problem. CONS: Who (special
interest groups etc.) would oppose the adoption of this amendment, what they would argue against it, and
what they would say its negative effects would be. Be fair and balanced in your arguing of both sides of
the issue.
Pick a worthy topic and do it justice. If you need further help or instruction with this assignment you may
contact me at Dbagwell@Riversidemilitary.com.
Cadets planning to take both Honors Government and Honors Economics (semester classes) should be
sure to complete at least one of the following assignments. If you do not complete both, you will need to
do one over your winter break.
Honors Government: War and Liberty: An American Dilemma: 1790 to the Present (Geoffrey Stone)
Read the book, then write a reflection of 500 words or so that indicate your thoughts on the conflict
between individual liberty and national security. Refer to at least three chapters in the book in your
discussion. Also watch the news or read newspapers so that you can discuss current events intelligently
next school year. This is something Mr. Tymchuk expects as well.
Honors Economics: Chindia: How China and India are Revolutionizing Global Business,
Edited by, Pete Engardio
There will be comprehensive quizzes, typically during the week, throughout the semester, to assess your
content knowledge of the text. Open-notes will be allowed. These quizzes will cover 2-3 chapters at a
time.
1)
Chapter 1: What are the Industry Strengths of China and India? Provide two examples of
the Business Culture of China & India which allows them to be successful.
2)
Chapter 2: Describe three characters/details from the Invaluable Role section, and the results of
India and China’s simultaneous take-offs. What Political Backlash might take place in these two
countries? If it does occur, describe in what forms, as argued in the text.
3)
Chapter 3: Why is it that India’s Tech Grads have such opportunities? What is involved in
the China Price? Is this an advantage or disadvantage to the Chinese?
4)
Chapter 4: What is meant by the statement, “The States Long Apron Strings?”
5)
Chapter 5: What is “so pretty” about Shanghai? What does Chindia tell us about India’s new
women and their role in society/work-place?
6)
Chapter 6: Is Silicon Valley in America in danger? What is meant by IBM’s passage to
India? Is IBM leaving America because of better engineers and designers, or what is the draw?
7)
Chapter 7: What Great Bank Overhauls are taking place in these regions?
8)
Chapter 8: What are India’s Whiz Kids like? How are they taught? What motivate them?
What are the Waves in Guangdong?
9)
Chapter 9 – The Social Agenda: Do India and China’s citizens have Rights? How do they
compare to that of Americans? What is India’s Untold Story?
10)
Chapter 10: Is China getting Greener and cleaning up their population problems? If so, how
so? If not, why not? Who represents the Courageous Voice for a Greener China?
11)
Chapter 11: How is Trade Theory being shaken by the rise of Chindia? In what ways will it
matter if China Catches Up to the U.S.?
Read the book, then type a reflection of 500 words or so that indicate your thoughts on the books ideas of
globalization and economic prosperity in China. Refer to at least three chapters in the book in your
discussion. Also watch the news or read newspapers so that you can discuss other such current events
intelligently next school year. This is something all Social Studies teachers expect as well. It would
behoove you to use direct quotes (provide parenthetical citations, chapter and page #) throughout the
essay. (I would use at least one quote per paragraph.) Additionally, the use of quotes from an outside
source such as, The New York Times, USAToday, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, or a quote from
an article from The Economist periodical, would help carry the weight of some of your views or
arguments. This essay will be due the first Friday of the week you return to school and will be your first
grade for the semester.
AP Psychology
Summer Assignment
Instructor: Dennis H. Bagwell, Jr.
Introduction: Welcome to AP Psychology! I am MSgt. Bagwell and I will be your instructor. You have
foolishly elected to risk your academic record and possibly your sanity by enrolling in this class. As this
is a voluntary decision, you forfeit all right to complain as of this moment.
Reading Assignment: This summer I want you to read and enjoy the book A History of Psychiatry from
the Era of the Asylum to the Age of Prozac written by Edward Shorter. This will not only thoroughly
ground you in the field of psychology but it will also keep you out of trouble during the long boring
summer. Before you start complaining, yes this is a big book but if you are not a reader, you probably do
not belong in an AP class. I want this book to be read by the time you walk into my class for the first
time. Don’t try to fool me, I will know better. Don’t leave it till the last weekend because you can’t do it
in a pizza filled all-nighter.
Writing Assignment: Write a critical review of the book as a whole. This review should be in the form
of a brief essay (one or two pages). A critical review should briefly introduce the book, summarizing the
author’s main argument and key points. It should evaluate how well the book makes its argument: the
quality of writing, reasoning, evidence, etc. And it should express your thoughts as a reader on the value
of the book, to you and/or to other readers. Ultimately you are trying to decide whether to recommend the
book and, if so, to what kind of reader, for what purpose, and with what reservations. It is thus helpful if
you go beyond broad generalizations and empty praise or criticism. Elaborate; explain; give specific
examples. If someone reading you review can make a well-informed judgment about the book, you’ve
done your job well. Credit will relate to the quality of your writing (not the views you express). As a
student new to psychology, it is understood that your background knowledge is limited, so you should
base the review on your perspective as a layperson (not an expert). Be sure to give specific information to
illustrate your thinking. Be sure to edit your writing carefully so that your thoughts are well organized and
clearly expressed (in grammatically correct sentences, of course). Have some fun with this. Try to make
the book come alive.
Due date: Your written assignment is due the first day of class in August, so plan accordingly. Your first
semester grade will be heavily affected by this assignment.
If you need further help or instruction
with this assignment you may contact me at DBagwell@Riversidemilitary.com. Good luck and have a
great summer!