West Morris Central High School Summer Reading

Do NOT collaborate with your peers in any way. Each of these actions will be considered plagiarism and will incur a failing grade for the assignment.

All English 1 students must read

John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.

Studies and Academic level English 1 should pick three of the following eight themes listed below and find a quote for each of the three quotes. One quote should be from the first 1/3 of the book; the second should be from the second 1/3 of the book and third should be from the last 1/3 of the book. Please make sure to give the page number of each quote.

Advanced level English 1 should pick five of the following eight themes listed below and record a brief quotation of two to three lines (include the page number). The quotations must span the course of the entire novel.

Honors level English 1 should record a brief quotation of two to three lines (include the page number) for each of the eight themes listed below. The quotations must span the course of the entire novel.

1. the need for genuine friendship 2. the cynical nature of society 3. the power of nature – both its beauty and its cruelty 4. the universal longing for a home 5. delusions of grandeur 6. social class struggles and prejudice 7. the effects of isolation/solitude 8. the shattered American Dream

All English 2 students must read

Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street. While reading, students should pay attention to the following questions:

 How does Esperanza express who she is or who she wants to be?  How do Esperanza’s experiences help shape her identity, in positive and in negative ways?

Choose two specific quotes or passages for each question.

 Write down each quote, including the page number and the story in which it is found.  Briefly explain how each quote helps to answer the questions.

Choose two other quotes or passages from the book that you found interesting or thought provoking.

 Write down each quote, including the page number and the story in which it is found.  Briefly explain why you chose it and what you think it reveals.

These selections will be due on the first regular day of classes and will be used in a written assessment.

All juniors must read

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

English 3 Studies should identify 3 quotes that that describes Jay Gatsby’s dreams from the beginning, middle and end of the novel.

English 3 Academic should read The Great Gatsby and complete a quote journal. You must identify five quotes that demonstrate the concept of the American Dream within the text. In one well-developed sentence, explain how each sentence illustrates or complicates Fitzgerald’s intentions regarding the American Dream. These will be collected and counted as a quiz grade upon your return to school. Furthermore, you will utilize these quotes in your completion of an essay that you will complete for the unit.

English 3 IB SL should read The Great Gatsby. Take notes on key themes and passages when appropriate.

Write a 300-400 word reflective statement that explores one theme or idea that Fitzgerald develops over the course of his novel. This reflective statement will be turned in on the first day of class and will be a graded assignment.

This task will be the first step toward developing a critical essay.

English 3 IB HL/AP

Read The Great Gatsby, as well as Burn This Book. Take notes on key themes and passages when appropriate.

Write a 300-400 word reflective statement that explores one theme or idea that bridges at least one essay fromBurn This Book to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. This reflective statement will be turned in on the first day of class and will be a graded assignment.

All seniors must read English 4 IB-SL

Read Animal Farm. Take notes on key themes and passages when appropriate.

Write a 300-400 word reflective statement that explores one theme or idea that Orwell develops over the course of his narrative. This reflective statement will be turned in on the first day of class and will be a graded assignment.

All seniors must read

George Orwell’s Animal Farm

English 4 Studies

Read Animal Farm and identify three quotes that describe some kind of oppression within the text.

English 4 Academic

Read Animal Farm and complete a quote journal. You must identify five quotes that demonstrate the concept of social classes and/or oppression within the text. In two well-developed sentences, explain how each quote demonstrates a message from the author regarding social classes. These will be collected and counted as a quiz grade upon your return to school. Furthermore, you will utilize these quotes in your completion of an essay that you will complete for the unit. English 4 IB-SL

Read Animal Farm. Take notes on key themes and passages when appropriate.

Write a 300-400 word reflective statement that explores one theme or idea that Orwell develops over the course of his narrative. This reflective statement will be turned in on the first day of class and will be a graded assignment.

English 4 IB-HL/AP

Read Animal Farm, as well as the following three critical essays provided (also found on JSTOR):

“Revolution on Animal Farm: Orwell's Neglected Commentary” by V.C. Letemendia “The Dual Purpose of Animal Farm” by Paul Kirschner “Why I Write” by George Orwell

Take notes and annotate on both content and interconnection.

Write a 300-400 word reflective statement that explores one theme or idea that bridges at least two of the works provided. This reflective statement will be turned in on the first day of class and will be a graded assignment.

This task will be the first step toward developing a critical essay for your IB written assignment.