Honors American Literature and Composition
Summer Assignment
Welcome to Honors American Literature and Composition! This course is intended to educate students about the impact American literature ahs had on our society. Throughout the year, students will learn about different moments and movements in America as well as examine the influence being an American has on citizens during different periods in our history.
The summer assignment is meant to encourage students to begin thinking about America and exploring literature. There are two components to this project that must be completed BEFORE classes commence in the fall. If you have questions, email me at .
Reading Requirement:
-Students will create a Goodreads account (see attached sheet on how to create an account and what is necessary).
-Students must “friend” me (I’m Ariel Uppstrom) so that I may view your updates.
-Select an influential American and find a biography or historical fiction about that person. For example, maybe you are interested in nuclear science. You could choose to read a biography about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. Or maybe you are a strong supporter of Gay Rights and want to read about Harvey Milk. There are any number of ways you can go with this selection, so please choose something relevant to you.
-DO NOT CHOOSE TO READ THE FOLLOWING
-Things They Carried, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Joy Luck Club, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
-You will need to update your progress while reading the book at least 4 times. These updates should do the following:
-Update your page number progress.
-Include a comment regarding a trait of the individual that made them influential
-Include a comment on how the individuals are facing conflicts and what you think about them.
-Once you finish the book, you will need to review it by answering the following questions:
-What is the summary of the text? Give an overview of events in the text.
-How did this person impact American culture or society?
-What is the theme of the text? What evidence do you have to support this conclusion?
-Would you recommend this text? What makes you recommend or not recommend the text?
Road Trip:
-It is important for students to be familiar with their home country and all the wonderful things that there are to see. Therefore you will tells us about your summer travels (or lack there of) and how it is “American.” For example, maybe you visit your cousins in Texas. Tell us about that visit and what you saw. Then connect it to how it shows something about Americans or the American Spirit. Attached is a sample of a written version. However, you can choose to do a video version if you would prefer.
Requirements:
-Describe the places you went to make us feel like we were there
-Explain who was there
-Explain what you found surprising or interesting about the place you went
-Explain what you think shows that this place is connected to America or American society
Ariel Uppstrom
Ms. Uppstrom
H. American Lit.
17 August 2016
Road Trip
Who knew there would be so many interesting things to do in Dallas, Texas? As I pulled into the city, all I saw were crisscrossing highways! It was insane! Thank goodness for GPS. It was a pretty hot day as I climbed out of the cool comfort of my car. The 106 degree temperature was not the best feeling as the sun beat down on my head, but at least it wasn’t humid like Ohio. I strolled down the curved streets with neatly kept trees to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is dedicated to the life and death of John F. Kennedy. I had forgotten that he was shot in Dallas, so this museum was really interesting and educational. They give you a headset for the audio tour, which is really informative and gives you information about JFK’s life and rise to the place of president. Then they discuss the life of Lee Harvey Oswald and what led him to kill JFK. They also talked about the different theories people have on his assassination such as the mafia’s involvement, the CIA, or the Russians. I felt so bad for his wife and children having to experience that. I got to see where Oswald stood looking at the parade ground and planning his actions.
After Dealey Plaza I decided to get some Texas barbecue! I’m not a huge fan of barbecue, but I figured it’s a must in Texas. I asked some locals where they thought I should go and they said the Pecan Lodge. It was an interesting place run by a family. They smoke their barbecue which gives it a nice caramel taste. I had the “Hot Mess” which was delicious and spicy. I followed that up with the Homemade Peach Cobbler with nice melty ice cream! They had live music playing while people ate. That was neat. It was a band called Raised Right Men which was a nice honky tonk style of music. They had a nice blues kind of sound too, which I really enjoy.
Texas just screams America to me. It’s big (like all American things) and naturally beautiful. I always think of how America has so many pretty landscapes and this is captured in Texas with its cactus fields, beach front areas, and cities. The music I hear is also very American. The songs are about being proud and standing up for yourself which is a very American ideal.