Marlborough High School English Department
AP English Language and Composition
Summer Reading
This assignment gives students the opportunity to meet or exceed the following academic expectations:
Students will:

Communicate using verbal and written skills for a range of purposes.

Gather, analyze, and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Required text for Part One:
Cohen, Samuel, ed. 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford / St. Martins, 2010.
Choose One for Part Two:
Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York:
Broadway, 1999.
Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway, 2010.
Walls, Jeannette. The Glass Castle: A Memoir. New York: Scribner, 2005.
For summer reading, you will be required to read five essays from the Cohen anthology and one of the
other books from the list above.
Part One:
The 50 Essays anthology will be used as a course textbook throughout the year and should be brought to
class each day.
Read the section “Introduction for Students: Active Reading, Critical Thinking, and the Writing Process”
on pages 1-14. You will be expected to come to class with a good understanding of this section.
Read the following essays carefully. For each one, you will complete a reading sheet.
Sherman Alexie, “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” (page 15)
Gloria Anzaldua, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” (page 33)
Frederick Douglass, “Learning to Read and Write” (page 129)
Malcom X, “Learning to Read” (page 257)
Richard Rodriguez, “Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood” (page 307)
Marlborough High School is a respectful and comprehensive 21st century learning environment.
We communicate effectively, think critically, collaborate productively, and solve problems efficiently.
We provide equal access to educational rigor and commit to success for all students.
Marlborough High School English Department
AP English Language and Composition
Reading Sheet Rubric
A
The reading sheet is extensively filled out. It demonstrates that the student has carefully read and
considered the text’s meaning and can discern how the author makes literary moves to create
meaning. It serves as an accurate snapshot of what the text says and what the reader thinks about
it.
B
The reading sheet is filled out, with fewer examples or comments compared to the most carefully
considered readings. It demonstrates that the student has carefully read and considered the text’s
meaning and can partially discern how the author makes moves to create meaning. It serves as a
generally accurate snapshot of what the text says and what the reader thinks about it.
C
The reading sheet is less extensively filled out, with few examples or comments. It demonstrates
demonstrate a less thorough reading than the top two ratings and suggest that the student can
barely discern how the author makes moves to create meaning.
D
The reading sheet is only partially completed. There are virtually no examples or comments;
consequently, it is impossible to determine how thorough the reading of the text has been.
F
The reading sheet is so minimally completed that there is little evidence that the text has been
read completely.
0
The reading sheet is not completed at all.
Part Two:
While or after you read your chosen book, you will complete a moment sheet in which you identify ten
moments that are essential to revealing the author’s purpose or message, write down one or two
quotations that correspond with each moment, and provide a two- to three-sentence comment on each of
the quotations. The moments should be spread out across the book. Possibilities for the comment include,
but are not limited to, the following:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
A thought-provoking question or series of questions that a quotation raises
A brief analysis of the development of the character
An explanation of why the moment is important to the book as a whole
An explanation of why the quotation is especially powerful, shocking, intriguing, etc.
An expression of agreement or disagreement and brief explanation
A prediction
An attempt to connect a moment with another moment within the book or the student’s own
reading, observations, and experiences
An observation on the author’s use of language
Your comments must be your own original work. Copying from another student or source will result in a
zero. This moment sheet will be due on the first block day, during which you will have an in-class timed
writing that asks you to analyze the strategies the author uses to reveal his or her purpose or convey his or
her message. The book will also be the basis for your first major essay of the year.
Moment Sheet Rubric:
Marlborough High School is a respectful and comprehensive 21st century learning environment.
We communicate effectively, think critically, collaborate productively, and solve problems efficiently.
We provide equal access to educational rigor and commit to success for all students.
Marlborough High School English Department
AP English Language and Composition
A
Cites strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text. Comments demonstrate a comprehensive and perceptive
understanding of the text.
B
Cites relevant but sometimes general evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly
as well as inferences drawn from the text. Comments demonstrate an adequate understanding of
the text.
C
Cites relevant but mostly general evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text. Comments demonstrate partial understanding of the text.
D
Cites irrelevant or inaccurate evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text. Comments demonstrate limited understanding of the text.
F
Demonstrates no understanding of the text.
0
The moment sheet is not completed at all.
Use the checklist below to track your progress. Assignments are to be completed by the first day.
Resource
Assignment
Completed Y/N?
50 Essays
Complete Reading Sheets (5 total)
Choose one of the three titles
Moment Sheet
Marlborough High School is a respectful and comprehensive 21st century learning environment.
We communicate effectively, think critically, collaborate productively, and solve problems efficiently.
We provide equal access to educational rigor and commit to success for all students.
Marlborough High School English Department
AP English Language and Composition
Marlborough High School
431 Bolton Street, Marlborough, MA 01752
~~ TEL 508-460-3500 FAX 508-460-3501 ~~
PRINCIPAL
Craig Hardimon
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
Adam Bakr
Daniel J. Riley
I, ______________________________, have chosen to participate in AP English Language and
Composition during the 2013-2014 academic year. I understand that this course will make significant
demands on my time and, as it is considered the equivalent of a college-level course, may include
readings that contain mature situations and topics. By choosing to take this course, I agree to
complete the following summer reading assignments before the beginning of the new school year in
August 2013:
1.
2.
Read the five assigned essays from Fifty Essays (3rd edition), edited by Samuel Cohen
and complete a reading sheet for each.
Read one of the other books from the reading list (by Bryson, Skloot, or Walls) and
complete a moment sheet. The book will be the basis of an in-class timed writing and of
the first major essay.
What I turn in will be my own original work. I am aware that the reading and moment sheets will be
worth approximately 10% of my first term grade, and, together with the timed writing and essay, will
represent a substantial part of the grade. Furthermore, I also understand that even if I do not complete
these assignments, I may not be able to drop the course until the end of the first term. Should I
have any questions about the summer reading or the course, I shall contact Mr. Reyes at
jreyes@mps-edu.org.
______________________________
Signature of Student
________________________
Date
______________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
________________________
Date
Marlborough High School is a respectful and comprehensive 21st century learning environment.
We communicate effectively, think critically, collaborate productively, and solve problems efficiently.
We provide equal access to educational rigor and commit to success for all students.