AP Environmental Science Summer Reading Assignment

AP Environmental Science Summer Reading Assignment

We will be reading Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Your first task will be, of course, to get a copy of the book. I have notified Barnes and Noble as well as Joseph Beth about our summer reading assignment so these books should be available from either store. You may also purchase the book on-line through Amazon.com, where cheaper, used books are also available.

You will also need a journal to document your ideas as you read. A composition book will work well and are readily available and inexpensive. You may, however, choose a fancier journal if you prefer.

The book is divided into three main sections: Industrial Corn, Pastoral Grass, and Personal: The Forest. We will journal in a similar manner. Below are questions for you to address in your journal as you read:

1.  What is the “Omnivore’s Dilemma”?

2.  Explain why the book is divided into three main sections.

3.  After you have completed each chapter, explain the heading it was given. This can be as long or as short as you prefer as long as you demonstrate understanding of the content, although experience has shown that in a composition book, good entries are typically 2-3 journal pages per chapter. For example, the first chapter is titled, “The Plant: Corn’s Conquest.” What did corn conquer? How did it accomplish this?

As you complete your chapter summaries, please make sure your entries also address the following:

·  In addition to explaining the title of the chapter on corn, include what it means to be a C4 plant and how that relates to the title. (Chapter 1)

·  How is growing food on the farm different from the way it was 100 years ago? (Chapter 2)

·  Explain why corn is finding its way into so many products. (Chapter 6)

·  What different types of organics exist? Explain why there are so many types. (Chapter 9)

·  Define NPK. (Chapter 9)

·  Explain the relationships in this chapter with examples. (Chapter 10)

·  Explain the relationships in this chapter with examples. (Chapter 11)

·  How are Saladin’s thoughts on this different than mainstream? (Chapter 12)

·  Explain the use of “Barcode” in the title. (Chapter 13)

·  Define speciesism. Explain how it relates in this chapter. (Chapter 17)

·  How has reading this book changed the way you think about food? What have you learned that surprised you the most?

4.  Please feel free to include your own perspective as much as possible. Anytime you can include an example from your own life - do it! This will make your journal much more personal and help you remember what you’ve read as well as demonstrate to me that you ‘get it.’

Logistics of completing this assignment:

1.  Plan ahead and commit yourself to reading a pre-determined amount of chapters per day so that you're not overloaded with work the last few weeks of the summer. Also, set aside a specific time during the day for reading and make sure your friends and family know that you are not to be disturbed during this time. Don't expect to get much reading done late at night while lying in bed; choose a time early in the day. Complete the written portion of the assignment right after you finish reading each chapter.

2.  If you choose to quote from the book, do so sparingly. I’ve read the book (more than once) and will recognize when you aren’t using your own words. The idea is that you show you ‘get it’ and using someone else’s words doesn’t demonstrate that.

3.  You are welcome to discuss this assignment with friends that may also be taking the course, however, to write about it yourself and be able to participate in class discussions based on the book, you’ll need to have read it yourself. Be sure that your conversations don’t substitute for your own reading.

4.  I don’t often recommend ‘lengths’ for the entries you give but, as stated earlier, experience has shown that in a composition book, good entries are typically 2-3 journal pages per chapter.

Please let me know if you have any further questions on the assignment. I hope you will find the book interesting and informative. I feel strongly that it will help give you a better understanding of many important environmental issues, many of which are tied to our food choices. A copy of the scoring guide I will use to score your journal is on the next page.

Name
Score / Points Possible
Content Score / 50
Extra Credit/Penalties
Final Score / 50

The Omnivore’s Dilemma

Journal Scoring Guide

Criteria /

Excellent

/

Good

/

Needs Improvement

/

Maybe you should reread the book

/

Did you read the book?

Entries

/ Contains all required entries (10) / Contains at least 80% of the required entries (8) / Contains at least 75% of required entries (7.5) / Contains at least 70% of required entries (7) / Contains less than 70% of required entries (5)

Explanations

/ All explanations (questions to be answered, content to be explained) are clearly and accurately presented. (20) / At least 80% of the explanations (questions to be answered, content to be explained) are clearly and accurately presented. (16) / At least 75% of the explanations (questions to be answered, content to be explained) are clearly and accurately presented. (15) / At least 70% of the explanations (questions to be answered, content to be explained) are clearly and accurately presented. (14) / Less than 70% of the explanations (questions to be answered, content to be explained) are clearly and accurately presented. (10)

Idea Development/

Support

/ Depth and complexity of ideas supported by rich, engaging, and/or pertinent details; evidence of analysis, reflection, and insight. Demonstrates in-depth student understanding. (20) / Depth of idea development supported by elaborated, relevant details. Demonstrates understanding of most topics, but may misunderstand or overlook some less important ideas or details. (16) / Unelaborated idea development; unelaborated and/or repetitious details. Demonstrates some understanding of most topics, but may misunderstand or overlook some less important ideas or details. (15) / Minimal idea development; limited and/or unrelated details. Demonstrates limited understanding of topic, with gaps in his/her conceptual understanding of the material. (14) / Minimal idea development; limited and/or unrelated details. Demonstrates minimal understanding of material. (10)

Extra Credit

Criteria / 6 / 4 / 2
Personal Thoughts and Comments / Appropriate, reflective thoughts and comments relating the content to your personal life are included in at least eighty percent of the entries (sixteen chapters). / Appropriate, reflective thoughts and comments are included in at least sixty percent of the entries (twelve chapters). / Thoughts and comments are included in at least forty percent of the entries (eight chapters).