10Th Grade Advanced English Letter Home

Dear Students,

The focus of the sophomore honors English program is the study of World Literature and its cultural, philosophical, and theological context. The goal of the summer reading program is to allow an opportunity for you to read significant literary works at a leisurely pace. Youmust read all threepieces for this assignment and will be expected to complete an accompanying assignment for each prior toyour return to school.

The selections are as follows:

Mandatory:

How to read literature like a Professor- Thomas C. Foster

Chapters: Introduction, 1, 5, 7, 9, Interlude (Does he mean that?), 12, 15, 19, Interlude (One Story), 21, 25, 26,

Short Takes: Brief Encounters with Contemporary Nonfiction- Judith Kitchen(Editor)

Stories: You choose any combination but you must read at least 200 pages. Enjoy your chance to bounce around a bit and explore this interesting new genre.

The Alchemist -Paulo Coelho

It is expected that students come to class the first day of school ready to share their response to all threepieces in the form of double-entry journals. During the reading process, students should choose important quotes or ideas and write them on the left side of the page. On the right side they should write their interpretation of the significance of the passages chosen; explain, basically, why it was chosen. The purpose of the double entry journal is to identify attitudes and opinions about what you are reading, to demonstrate critical reading skills, and to track your thought process on the journey through the piece. Be sure to choose quotes throughout the entire piece and indicate page numbers for reference. (It is reasonable to expect this journal to be comprised of 4-5 pages when complete). Students can access directions and samples of a double entry journal located on my home page located on the District website to help along the way. There really is no wrong way to do this, as long as you are keeping up with your reading and recording your thoughts.

In addition, students will need to complete an assignment which can also be found on my web pagelocated on the District website.The purpose of this assignment is twofold. First and foremost is to have students read literature worthy of literary analysis and to practice active reading strategies. The second is to provide me with polished writing samples.Students are expected to read the pieces and reduce them to their basic literary elements.As this is not a research assignment, secondary sources will neither be expected nor required; however, if they are used, they must be properly cited and included on a works cited page using MLA formatting specifications.

Library or Bookstore? The age old question!Buying books means being able to highlight important passages as they read during the summer to prepare for discussions and presentations later in the year. I personally feel that being able to mark up a text and “dog-ear” the pages helps in developing a “relationship” with the text. It also cuts down on late fees at your local library. The selections are considered major texts and may be found at any bookstore.

Some other helpful hints: read and highlight, note, or question as you go; it helps to keep up on your response journal to track yourreactions after a day’s reading. (Students often find it difficult to go back after completing the novel).Threeselections/novels over the period of the summer sounds like a reasonable goal, especially when you consider the positive experiences you will have and the new perspectives about literature you will have.

I look forward to an enlightening and exciting year as we explore literature together.

I may be contacted at the following email address over the summer should there be any questions or concerns: