English I (9th Grade) PRE-AP SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT 2016-2017

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck ISBN: 0140177396 Available at Barnes and Noble, McAllen Public Library, Amazon.com, Kindle

Parent/Student Information about the Grade 9-12 Summer Reading Assignment Welcome! We are excited that you have chosen to be part of our Pre-AP (Advanced Placement) program. The McAllen School District encourages all students to read throughout the summer. Each grade level has a recommended book list with titles selected specifically for the students entering that grade. The district also has a required high school reading assignment for students entering grades 9 to 12. After completion of the assigned reading , each student will complete the included assignments to facilitate their understanding of the book. Of Mice and Men was chosen as the summer reading book because it exemplifies all necessary components in preparation for Advanced Placement classes. The literary merit of the novel has withstood the test of time and will be an extremely relevant teaching tool in the classroom. Expectations and Assessment Week One and Two:  Discussion over novel  Reading Guide Questions  Thematic Chart  Article of choice (that parallels a thematic idea)  Objective Test  Writing Assignments Due Dates and Grading:  The Summer Reading Assignment will be due the second Monday of the new school year. District late work policy will be enforced!  The entire packet will be worth a test grade. o Thematic Chart 50% o Reading Guide Questions 40% o Article 10%  Your assignment must be typed in a 12 pt. font (no fancy fonts please) and arranged in order (chart, questions, article) with a cover page that includes: o Your Name, Class & Period, Teacher’s Name and Date Cheating and Plagiarism:  MISD will not tolerate academic cheating or plagiarism in any form. It will result in a score of a zero on the assignment and may result in disciplinary action.  Learning to think and work independently is part of the educational process.

Of Mice and Men Study Guide Background Information: Author Biography John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was born in Salinas, California. He came from a middle class family. His father was the county treasurer, and his mother was a former schoolteacher. She inspired and encouraged his love of books and reading. He attended Stanford University, but he did not graduate. In his twenties, he traveled to New York City with the dream of supporting himself as a freelance writer. When his efforts failed, he went home to California. He then began to work seriously on novels and short stories. When Steinbeck was a young adult, he spent his summer vacations working as a hired hand on local ranches. His interactions with the people he met during those summers greatly influenced the characters he created throughout his career. In an interview following the publication of Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck revealed that all the characters in the novel are composites based on real people. Steinbeck said in his essay “Advice for Beginning Writers” (1963) that he still felt afraid every time he began writing a story, even though he had a long successful writing career behind him. He went on to say that a writer who does not experience this fear may not have an appropriate respect for the art of writing. Book Summary Of Mice and Men was published in 1937. The story epitomizes the themes and ideas that Steinbeck propounded throughout his novels: the plight of the laborers, the perils of isolation, and the hope for a better future. Set in California during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men is an excellent vehicle to learn about the life and times of migrant works in the 1930s. With its beautiful descriptive passages, easily accessible dialogue, and fast-paced timeline, it is very easy to follow along. Readers are drawn in by the memorable characters, that, ironically, represent a segment of society that was largely ignored in its day. Analyzing the balance of power, the importance of friendship, and the role of dreams in our lives allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the text while applying valuable lessons to their own lives. Character List       

Lennie Small: a nondescript, hulking creature of a man whose childlike mentality continually gets him into scrapes with men who neither respect nor understand him. George Milton: a small, lean man, used to fighting for his place in the world. He oversees and protects Lennie. Slim: a tall skinner (a highly skilled mule-driver) that serves as a counselor to the ranch hands. Candy: The one-handed ranch worker who has lived past his prime. Curley’s wife: a woman who is not respected by the men on the ranch. Crooks: the African-American stable buck is called Crooks because of a spinal injury inflicted by a kicking horse. Curley: the boss’s son, he possesses a jealous, cruel streak.

Thematic Chart Complete the chart using your book. Responses must be typed and written in complete sentences. Thematic Idea Thematic Statement Quotation Commentary (What does Steinbeck say about the topic?)

Family

Loyalty

Isolation

Friendship

The American Dream

(Provide evidence from the novel that supports the statement.)

(Why is this important in society today?)

Of Mice and Men Study Guide Questions Answer these questions as you read your book. Responses must be typed and written in complete sentences. Chapter 1 1. Identify and give a physical description of both Lennie and George using information from the text. George: Lennie:

2. What trouble did George and Lennie have in Weed? Explain the connection between Lennie's mouse and what happened in Weed? 3. What does the dead mouse in Lennie's pocket reveal about him? 4. Why are George and Lennie different from the other "guys like us that work on ranches?" 5. Before they go to sleep, George tells Lennie to hide in the bush near their campsite and wait for him to come if he gets into any trouble. This is an example of foreshadowing. What prediction can readers draw from George's instructions? 6.

Why does Steinbeck describe Lennie in animalistic terms? What animals is Lennie compared to in this chapter? Explain why Steinbeck might have made that choice.

Chapter 2 7. Describe Curley's personality. Why do you think he acts the way he does? 8. Why does Carlson suggest shooting Candy's dog? How does Candy respond? 9.

How is Candy's connection to his dog similar to George's relationship with Lennie?

10. How do George and Lennie react to seeing Curley's wife for the first time? What is her name? Why do you think Steinbeck chose to name her this way?

Chapter 3 11. Slim and George have a long conversation in which George tells Slim about the mean-spirited jokes he used to play on Lennie. What happened that made George want to change the way he treated Lennie?

12. What card game does George play? How might this be symbolic? 13. The discussion of Curley's wife leads Whit to invite George to come with the other men "to old Suzy's place." What is "old Suzy's place," and what purpose does it serve in the novel? Why doesn't George invite Lennie to come along? 14. In what way is Candy similar to his dog? How does this further explain his reluctance to do what Carlson suggests? 15. Why did Curley fight with Lennie? What happened?

Chapter 4 16. Curley's wife is lonely because she's the only woman on the ranch. Candy is lonely because of his age. Why is Crooks so lonely? 17. Why does Lennie wander into Crook's room? What is Crooks initial reaction to the intrusion?

18. What is Curley's wife's reaction to the dream of the farm with rabbits?

19. What does Curley's wife threaten to do to Crooks? Chapter 5 20. Why did Curley's wife come to see Lennie? What does she end up telling him about herself? 21. What ends up happening to her in the barn? Is she personally responsible, in any way, for what happens to her in this chapter? Explain your answer. 22. What might happen to Lennie if Curley catches him? Do you think he deserves the punishment he might receive? Explain your response.

Chapter 6 23. How is George and Lennie's conversation in the river valley similar to the one they had in chapter one? 24. Why does George struggle with the details of the farm when describing it to Lenny on the river bank?

25. Does the ending of this novel show the strength of George's love for Lennie, or the weakness of his love for his friend? Explain your response.

Article Assignment Find an article of at least 500 words that appeals to you and that parallels any of the thematic ideas presented on your Thematic Chart. You must provide a printed copy, and be prepared to discuss it in class.  The article can be from the local, state, national or world newspaper/magazine.  *** NO entertainment, gossip or advertisement kinds of articles.  Read the article to understand what it's about and the connection to one or several of the novel's themes/big ideas..

McAllen Independent School District proudly presents:

English II Pre-AP Summer Reading 2016-2017

ISBN-13: 978-0743262170 ISBN-10: 0743262174

Future Pre-AP ELA Student, Welcome! We are excited that you have chosen to be a part of our advanced program! Cry, The Beloved Countrywas chosen as your summer reading because this timeless classic contains several rhetorical and thematic components that make it an extremely relevant teaching tool to be used in the classroom. Purpose for reading and assignment  Exposure to classic literature and advanced topics, themes, and forms of analysis  Preparation for success in the Pre-AP classroom  Preparation for future AP coursework and exams  Preparation for college entrance exams, such as the SAT and the ACT  Preparation for competing in challenging programs in rigorous academic environments Expectations and Assessment  Week One: Discussion over novel and Reading Guide questions culminating in an objective test. Reading guide questions will not count for a grade but will be extremely useful in preparing for the objective test.  Week Two: Continue discussions and begin work on essay.  Due dates: Cry, The Beloved CountryCurrent Events Assignment will be due the first day of class (worth one quiz grade). Late work will not be accepted. Cheating and Plagiarism  MISD does not tolerate academic cheating or plagiarism in any form. It will result in a score of a zero on the assignment and may result in disciplinary action.  Learning to think and work independently is part of the educational process.Work Independently. THEME Theme is defined as a universal message about life or human nature. A theme is not a single word such as “love.” The novel may deal with the abstract concept of love, but to arrive at the theme, you must think about what the author is saying about love. For example, a complete theme may be expressed as, “love can be a destructive force that impairs one’s judgment.” Think about the themes of your assigned novel. Keep in mind that a novel of literary merit often has several different themes; therefore, you may come up with a few different messages the novel conveys. Possible abstract concepts to discuss from Cry, The Beloved Country:  Identity  Race  Justice  Family  Power  Rebellion  Social Hierarchies

SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT – CURRENT EVENT ARTICLES After considering the themes of the novel, find TWO news articles about current events that relate to the novel thematically. The novel may have a few different themes; therefore, you may choose a different theme for each article, or you may stick to one theme and find two different articles that connect to it. Each article must meet the following requirements: 

The current event must have occurred within the last 5 years.



Articles must come from a credible news source.

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Articles must be at least half a page of text. Do not choose an article that is only a headline, a blurb, or a brief outline of events.

SUMMER READING ASSIGMENT – WRITTEN RESPONSES For each of the articles, you will be required to write a response. Explain how that current event is thematically connected to the novel and elaborate on the message the two texts have in common. You will turn in TWO responses. Each response must meet the following requirements: 

Responses must be at least half a page when typed in 12 point Times New Roman font that is singlespaced with one-inch margins. There must be a header on the document with your name, date, course title, and class period.

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Each response must have at least one quote from the novel and one quote from the news article.

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Textual evidence must be in quotation marks.

 Each response must be titled with the complete theme statement that is the connecting idea between the current event and the novel.

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**See the sample response included on the next page to get ideas on how to organize each response.

SAMPLE RESPONSE *You must complete two of these—one for each article you select

Cry, The Beloved Country is a complex, advanced read with mature content, themes, and subject matter. There are numerous allusions (indirect references to some piece of knowledge not actually mentioned) in this book. In order to better understand the novel, it would be helpful to have some background knowledge of the following people/places/ideas:      

Second Boer War Apartheid History of Dutch Settlers in Africa South Africa in the 1940’s Legalized racism Biblical allusions- Absalom, Peter, Theophilus

**Consider these questions as you read. Take notes in a notebook or on separate sheets of paper. Let these questions direct your annotations. The following questions will not be collected for a grade but will greatly aid in the discussions, assignments, and the objective test that will be completed the first and second week of school.

Injustice: Consider the cyclical nature of injustice and inequality—a concept that is dealt with frequently throughout the extent of this novel. A society in which color determines the opportunities one receives, specifically regarding the availability of land, serves as the backdrop for the story, in which the protagonist is forced to disconnect from tribal tradition and turn to a life of crime in order to seek retribution. Questions About Injustice 1. How does Absalom become a victim of his society’s injustices? 2. What is one underlying cause of the ongoing injustices that Absalom and others experience? 3. Is Christianity/Faith used as a weapon or tool to combat injustice? Or, does it merely add to the problem?

Family: While most of the narrator's difficulties throughout the novel are associated with his race, Cry, The Beloved Country is a novel that also takes aim at the disintegration of family amidst turmoil. Questions About Family 1. How does Absalom’s attitude about his choices impact the family? 2. Why is Absalom’s action so difficult for Kumalo to accept? 3. The dynamics of the father-son relationship are explored in the novel. Explain where you see these in the plot development. 4. Is Kumalo’s family strengthened or destroyed by the events in the novel? SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT—Pre-Writing Notes **The following question will serve as both a basis for discussion and an essay to be written the second week of school. Students should take notesas they readregarding the role race plays in the success of the characters in the novel. Be sure to take note of specific text evidence that supports, challenges, or qualifies the claim listed below.

Cry, The Beloved Country defines race as anobstacle that prevents people from truly interacting with each other, and argues that only by seeing others as individuals, instead of as part of a racial collective, can positions in life be improved. Write an essay in which you support or challenge the following claim: Race plays a large role in determining one’s potential for success.

McAllen Independent School District 2016-2017 English III - AP Language and Composition Summer Reading

ISBN-13: 201-5316017930 ISBN-10: 0316017930

Future AP Language Student, Welcome! We are excited that you have chosen to be a part of our Advanced Placement program! Outliers was chosen as your summer reading because it exemplifies all components that will appear on the AP exam. Therefore, it will be an extremely relevant teaching tool used in the classroom. Purpose for reading and assignment  Preparation for success in the AP Language and Composition classroom  Preparation for the AP exam  Preparation for college entrance exams, such as SAT and ACT  Preparation for competing in challenging programs in a rigorous academic environment Expectations and Assessment  Week One: Discussion over novel and Reading Guide questions, culminating in an objective test. Reading guide questions will not count for a grade, but will be extremely useful in preparing for the objective test.  Week Two: AP Argumentation Essay regarding the novel  Due dates: Outliers Pre-Writing assignment will be due the first day of class (worth one quiz grade). You will need this assignment in preparation for Week Two Argumentation Essay. Late work will not be accepted. Cheating and Plagiarism  Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. It will result in a score of a zero on the respective assignment, and may lead to further disciplinary actions.

Outliers – Pre-Writing Identify a claim Gladwell makes regarding society. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

What support does he provide for this claim? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Do you agree or disagree? Why? (provide support) ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

*Find an article that defends, challenges, or qualifies Gladwell’s claim. Include printed article and be prepared to discuss in class.

GUIDED READING QUESTIONS for Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell **Consider these questions as you read. Take notes in a notebook or on separate sheets of paper. Let these questions direct your annotations. Introduction “The Roseto Mystery”: What is the Roseto Mystery? What overarching idea is Gladwell establishing in his introduction?

Chapter One “The Matthew Effect”: Explain the author’s viewpoint regarding “The Story of Success”. Are personal qualities the sole reason one becomes an outlier?

What is the consequence of “prematurely writing people off as failures”?

Chapter Two “The 10,000-Hour Rule”: Explain the 10,000-Hour Rule.

Consider the following: “Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.” Explain how this philosophy was at work for Bill Joy, The Beatles, and Bill Gates.

Chapter Three “The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 1”: Describe the difference between ‘divergence testing’ and ‘convergence testing’. Is one more significant than the other?

Gladwell states that communities and companies in American society “are convinced that those at the very top of the IQ scale have the greatest potential.” After reading the chapter, explain why you either agree or disagree with this statement.

Chapter Four “The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 2”: Compare and contrast Langan and Oppenheimer.

What is the difference between “concerted cultivation” and “accomplishment of natural growth”?

Chapter Five “The Three Lessons of Joe Flom”: Explain Gladwell’s statement as it relates to Joe Flom: “Buried in that setback was a golden opportunity.”

Consider the following quote: “Hard work is a prison sentence only if it does not have meaning.” Explain how this quote relates to the chapter.

Chapter Six “Harlan, Kentucky”: Describe the “culture of honor” that exists in the Appalachian Mountains.

What are the “cultural legacies” as described in this chapter? Why are they significant to understand when dealing with people?

Chapter Seven “The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes”: Describe the significance of the “willingness to change” as it relates to Korean Air.

What is Gladwell explaining about the importance of communication?

Chapter Eight “Rice Paddies and Math Tests”: After reading this section of the book, have your opinions changed about math classes and math ability? Explain why or why not.

Describe the connection between the “10,000-Hour Rule” and the wet-rice farmers in Asia.

Chapter Nine “Marita’s Bargain”: Describe the significance of summer vacation as it relates to different groups of students. Why is this significant?

Gladwell states “success follows a predictable course.” How does this quote apply to Marita? How does this apply to you?

Epilogue “A Jamaican Story”: What does Gladwell mean when he states, “The outlier in the end is not an outlier at all.”

Explain what Gladwell means when he states, “That is the story of my mother’s path to success – and it isn’t true.”

AP English Literature & Composition English 4 Summer Reading

Dear Parents of English IV AP Students: As we prepare to enter our new school year, the English teachers at McAllen Independent School District would like to let you know that we have your child’s education in mind when we make decisions about summer reading assignments. In order to prepare for AP English exams and to develop your child’s reading, writing, and thinking skills within a limited number of months, we require all English IV AP Literature & Composition students to read assigned novels during the summer months. Students will be assessed through the summer reading through class discussions, a discussion organizer, an objective exam, and timed writing the first two weeks of school. Below you will find the novel that need to be read before the first day of the 2016-2017 school year. We have notified Barnes and Noble Bookstores on North 10th Street and Ware Road in McAllen of the summer reading list, so there should be sufficient copies available there or through Amazon.com. Please note: Failure to read assigned novels will adversely affect a student’s grade at the onset of the year. Please encourage your child to read the literary works, so they are prepared to participate in the discussion. Disclaimer: Novels and movies are very different entities. Movie versions of novels are not just like the novel. Movie versions omit, add, or change material from the book version. Movies are great, but they are no substitute for reading the work. Therefore, blatant use of movie content and online materials is inappropriate and endangers a student’s success in this course. Sincerely, McAllen ISD AP English Literature & Composition Teachers

Summer Reading Assignment AP English Literature & Composition Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

Directions: Read the above literary works and complete the following steps in the provided chart. The chart is meant to provide you with items to discuss in class by the third day of school when your chart will be submitted to your AP teacher. Our expectations are that you have read both works with depth and thoughtful insight, which you are ready to share with your classmates. You will be tested over both works by the end of the first week of school. 1) Write at least 3 universal truths/themes that you feel reflect the purpose of the entire novel as a whole. *Be prepared to explain why you selected these themes in class discussion. 2) Select 5 additional quotations you find interesting and profound in the novel. Document the speaker and page number of each quotation. 3) Select two passages in the novel in which you feel you most closely relate to the character(s) and the experience(s) they go through. Document where to find the passage, and reflect on why this particular section of the work left an impression on you. 4) Be prepared to discuss your selections and answers the first day of school during a Socratic Discussion.

Boy’s Life Themes 1) 2) 3)

Quotations

Speaker

Page #

Reflection—Why did you select this quotation?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Passage that has meaning to you . . . (Provide enough of the passage for it to be referenced.) 1)

2)

Page #

Reflection—What is your connection to this passage

Bless Me, Ultima Themes 1) 2) 3)

Quotations

Speaker

Page #

Reflection—Why did you select this quotation?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Passage that has meaning to you . . . (Provide enough of the passage for it to be referenced.) 1)

2)

Page #

Reflection—What is your connection to this passage