MCHS 2012 Summer Assignments Honors English II

Honors English II Summer Assignment 2012

All of the following must be read by the first full day of school:

1. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
2. The Chosen by Chaim Potok

Testing:  Tests will be given on the first full day of school.  I will not be reviewing.  Reading and studying while doing the assignment is your review.  BE READY!

Grading:  Summer assignments and summer reading tests will count for 20% of your 1^st nine weeks grade.  CAUTION:  Failure to do summer assignment is not a reason to drop this course.  No one will be allowed to drop until 2^nd semester. 

You may check out books in my classroom before school is out for summer.  Supplies are limited.  The public library, Books-A-Million, and Hastings will have copies available.  Amazon.com and other online sites sell books at discounted prices.  If school copies are lost, they must be replaced or paid for at current market value.

Book Assignment:  Book cards for both novels due the first full day of school.

Book Card Requirements: 

Fill out large 5X8 index cards (Wal-Mart carries them) for each of the following: 

1. Author – One full card that covers the author’s professional career and his motivation for writing the novel.  His motivation could be his background.
2. Setting- ½ card that includes physical setting, time period, and historical background not included in #1.
3. Main Characters – One full card for each main character in the work (see below) including basic identifying information and deeper meaning of the character’s role in the work.
4. Symbolism- Two full cards listing and fully explaining symbols in detail. 
5. Themes- Two full cards that list and fully explain at least two themes with quotations that reflect each theme. 
6. Literary Devices- Two full cards that discuss important literary devices found in the novel such as foreshadowing, metaphor, simile, irony, etc.  These devices should be shown in quotations from the novel and be discussed.
7. Quotations- One full card that includes quotations you think are important with a rationale for including each quote.

Main Characters to include: 

A Separate Peace: Finny (Phineas), Gene, Leper, Brinker

The Chosen: Reuven, Danny, Mr. Malter, Reb Saunders

Note cards must be completely filled (according to above amount) or you will not be given credit.  Note cards must be handwritten.   Only 5X8 cards may be used.