Home of the Wolf Pack

MERRILL F. WEST HIGH SCHOOL

Home of the Wolf Pack Principal – Jeff Frase Assistant Principals – Karen Alcorn – Tammy Christensen - Gary San Martin

May 5, 2009

Dear ______:

Welcome to West High's English Pre-Advanced Placement program! The rigorous Pre-AP classes that are offered at both the freshman and sophomore level are designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement program. You will be reading several excellent works over the next few years, learning how to write an analytical essay, and building your vocabulary.

In keeping with West High's summer reading requirement, I am asking incoming freshmen to read the novel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Students will take an objective test and write an essay about the novel at the beginning of the school year. We will also discuss the novel and refer to it as I teach the essay writing format. The students are to also create a poster (standard poster size: 22"x28") that describes the duplicity of three characters by separating what they are from what they appear to be. Students should use imagery and descriptive detail to expose the façades these characters employ. The posters should be self- explanatory, accurate, neat, and aesthetically pleasing. Be prepared to turn it in the first day.

In addition to the above assignment, students are also required to read the following selections from the book Edith Hamilton's Mythology: The Gods (24-40); Demeter (48-54); Dionysus (55- 62); Pyramus and Thisbe (105-107); Orpheus and Eurydice (107-110); Pygmalion and Galatea (112-115); Phaethon (136-139); Daedalus (144-145); Pegasus and Bellerophon (139-143); Theseus (155-165); Atalanta (180-184); The Trojan War (185-200). (Your page numbers may vary depending on your edition.) Students will take an objective test on these selections.

The summer assignment will be included in your first quarter grade. The books are widely available in bookstores and libraries. If you read the books early in the summer, it would be wise to review the material—especially the myths—just before school.

In addition, please sign and return the second page of this letter confirming you have received your summer assignment instructions, or you may email me at [email protected] to confirm your receipt. You may also email me with any questions.

I look forward to working with you next fall. Enjoy the summer reading!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Escalante

1775 W. Lowell Avenue,  Tracy CA 95376  Phone (209) 830-3370  FAX (209) 831-5433 MERRILL F. WEST HIGH SCHOOL

Home of the Wolf Pack Principal – Jeff Frase Assistant Principals – Karen Alcorn – Tammy Christensen - Gary San Martin

I hereby acknowledge receipt of the English I Pre-AP Summer Assignment Letter.

______(Student name and signature) (Date)

**Please mail to the address at the bottom of this letter to the attention of Mrs. Escalante, or you may email receipt to [email protected] .

1775 W. Lowell Avenue,  Tracy CA 95376  Phone (209) 830-3370  FAX (209) 831-5433