2015-2016 RISING SENIORS
ENGLISH IV SUMMER READING AND COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
ENGLISH IV: BRITISH LITERATURE
JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL | ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT
JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
Advanced Placement English—British Literature
2015-2016 Summer Reading Assignment
To the Class of 2016:
I have read the AP/DC Summer Reading and Class Assignment packet and I understand my
responsibilities and requirements to my class before the 2015-2016 school year begins. I further
understand that the Summer Reading Packet assignment will be an important part of my 1st six
weeks average (4 grades) and is due on the first day of class.
Therefore, the summer reading and assignment is a REQUIRED component of the English
AP/DC English program at Jimmy Carter Early College High School. All students MUST
complete ALL assignments listed and explained in this packet on the FIRST DAY of school.
In addition, I understand that I will be tested on Grendel and will have several open-ended
response questions about the novel on the first day of school. I also understand that my English
teacher reserves the right to administer a failing grade for the first six weeks for any and all
missing assignments that are not completed.
__________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Name (Please Print)
Student Signature
We, the parents/guardians, have read the English Summer Reading Packet and understand the
long term benefits of the skills and the intellectual development offered by the course and
support my child’s enrollment in this course. I understand that as a parent/guardian I may
contact the instructor at any time and am encouraged to confer about my child’s progress.
______________________________________
_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print)
Parent/Guardian Signature
This contract is endorsed and supported by the Jimmy Carter Early College High School English
Department and Ms. Sylvia Sepulveda, Principal. Should you have any questions, please call
(956) 584-4842.
_
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JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
Advanced Placement Inglés—Literatura Británica
2015-2016 Asignatura y Tarea de Verano
Para la clase del 2016:
Yo he leído el paquete de AP/DC de Verano y entiendo mis responsabilidades y los requisitos
de mi clase antes de empezar el año escolar del 2015-2016. También entiendo que el Paquete de
Verano será un grado importante en el promedio de las primeras seis semanas (4 grados en
total) y todas las asignaturas serán entregadas el primer día de clases.
Entonces, el Paquete de Verano es un componente REQUERIDO del Programa de Inglés AP/DC
en Jimmy Carter Early College High School. Todos los estudiantes DEBEN completar TODAS
las actividades puestas y explicadas en este Paquete de Verano y deben de completar y
ENTREGAR todo el trabajo en el PRIMER DÍA de escuela.
En adición, yo como estudiante entiendo que voy a tomar un examen sobre el libro Grendel y
tendré varias preguntas sobre el libro en el primer día de escuela. También entiendo que mi
instructor tiene el derecho de administrar notas deficientes por cada asignatura que no completo
en el primer promedio de las primeras seis semanas.
______________________________________
Nombre de Estudiante (Favor de imprimir)
_____________________________________
Firma de estudiante
Nosotros, los padres/guardianes legales, hemos leído el Paquete de Verano de Inglés y
entendemos los beneficios de largo plazo que tendrá mi hijo/hija en sus habilidades de inglés y
en su desarrollo intelectual. Además, apoyamos la inscripción de nuestro hijo/hija en este curso.
Entendemos que como padres/guardianes legales nos podemos comunicar con el instructor y
tenemos la opción de pedir una conferencia sobre el progreso de nuestro hijo/hija.
_______________________________________
Nombre de padre/Guardián (Favor de imprimir)
_____________________________________
Firma de padre/Guardián
Este contrato está aprobado y apoyado por el Departamento de Inglés en Jimmy Carter Early
College High School y la Sra. Sylvia Sepulveda, Directora de Jimmy Carter Early College High
School. Si tiene preguntas, por favor llame al (956) 584-4842.
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Reading Journal for Gardner’s Grendel
Read Grendel and in a composition notebook write 1-2 pages
in response to the following questions for each section. In
total, your composition book should have 6 designated
sections. Be sure to respond to each of the questions fully for
each section. Handwrite the assignment neatly. You may
not use outside resources to guide you. Plagiarized work
will receive a grade of ZERO.
CHAPTERS 1 & 2
Reflect on the conceptions of “monster” versus human in the
book so far. What does it mean to be human? How does
Grendel adhere to these human characteristics? What are
“monster” characteristics? How does Grendel reflect on these
“monster” characteristics? Do you feel Grendel is monster or
human? Why?
CHAPTERS 3 & 4
What is Grendel’s view of humanity? What does he observe about the changes (or evolution)
humanity endures as time passes? In your opinion, are these changes positive or negative?
What makes you say this? What is Grendel’s impression of The Shaper? To what aspects of The
Shaper do you think Grendel is attracted? What aspects does he seem to find repugnant or
comical? Are there equivalents to The Shaper in our society today? Where do you see them?
How valuable are they? Does modern society value The Shaper as much as Hrothgar’s? Why
do you think this?
CHAPTERS 5 & 6
The Dragon is a mysterious character in the novel. What do you think of him? Is his philosophy
of existence true in your opinion? What do you find to be true or false about it? Why do you
think this? Do you think Grendel’s discussion with the dragon will affect the way he views
humanity, his own existence, etc.? In what ways do you see this dialogue making an impression
on Grendel? What is Grendel’s impression of “heroism?” What is your opinion of Unferth’s
notion of heroism? What aspects of Unferth’s “heroic” actions do you find significant? Which
ones do you feel are convoluted or just plain stupid? Please provide thorough explanations for
you conclusions.
CHAPTERS 7 & 8
How much (if any) of Grendel’s behavior is determined by instinct or nature? How much (if
any) is determined by his own free will (conscious choice)? In what ways does Grendel reflect
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the characteristics of a beast? How does he reflect characteristics of a human at this point in the
novel? How “beastly” are we as humans today? What real life examples can you provide for
your beliefs? What is Grendel’s impression of Hrothulf’s revolutionary ideas? How can the
reader ascertain Grendel’s opinion on this? What do you think about the nature of power in
mankind as can be observed in the novel thus far? Can you find real life examples from your
experience to validate your feelings on this?
CHAPTERS 9 & 10
What role do you see religion playing in this novel (please refer to various places in the novel to
provide proper evidence)? What is Grendel’s impression of religion, particularly Ork’s personal
spiritual beliefs? Do you find similarities in the role of religion in Beowulf’s society and today’s
society? Please explain your answer. Discuss Gardner’s use of foreboding tone in these
chapters. Where does the reader see Gardner’s use of foreshadowing Grendel’s end? Please
provide VERY specific examples from the novel to substantiate your response.
CHAPTERS 11 & 12
Is Beowulf a hero at the end of the story? Was Grendel’s death merely an arbitrary accident or
misjudgment? How is it that Beowulf succeeded where so many had failed in the past? What
opinion have you developed about Beowulf throughout the novel? What separates him from
other characters, or does nothing separate him from them? How do you feel about Grendel’s
death at the end of the novel? Is it a justified death? Are the humans to blame for making him
feel alienated his entire life? Is he to blame for the injustices he has caused in the past? Were
you sad to see him die? Were you pleased that the “good guys” won?
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The Bible as Literature
We will read several Biblical passages as
literature in our English course. The works we
will cover are much like Greek Mythology in that
they contain a lot of people and stories. There are
plenty of online Bible websites such as
www.biblegateway.com that lists several Bible
translations so you don’t have to purchase a Bible.
For the sake of simplicity, use the New
International Version Bible. It is the easiest and
most readable translation.
Once you have finished your Reading Journal for
Grendel, add a new section for the Biblical stories.
Keep a Reading Notebook that has bullet point
summaries of the major people, stories, and
themes in each of the Biblical reading assignments. Each summary should be half a page for
the short stories and a full page (or up to two pages) for the longer narratives.
You will be responsible for reading the following Biblical sections for your summer reading:
BIBLICAL NARRATIVES
The Creation of Mankind
The Great Flood
The Tower of Babel
Abraham
The Testing of Abraham
Moses
Genesis Chapters 1—4
Genesis Chapters 6—9
Genesis Chapter 11 Verses 1—9
Genesis Chapter 11 Verse 27 — Chapter 12 Verse 20
Genesis Chapter 22 Verses 1—19
Exodus Chapters 1—14
BIBLICAL HEROES
Daniel
David versus Goliath
The Book of Daniel Chapters 1—6
The First Book of Samuel Chapters 16—17
BIBLICAL DRAMA AND TRAGEDIES
Job
Samson
The Book of Job Chapters 1—3
The Book of Judges Chapters 13—16
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THE NEW TESTAMENT & THE MINISTRY OF JESUS
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The Gospel of Mark (and briefly browse/read the Gospels of Luke, Matthew, and John)
o Ensure that you pay close attention to (1) the birth of Jesus [Gospel of Luke], (2)
Jesus’ ministry, (3) Jesus’ parables, (4) the plot to kill Jesus, (5) the Last Supper, (6)
the betrayal of Jesus (examine carefully Judas’ “kiss of death” and Peter’s threetime denial), (7) the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, (8) Jesus’ Resurrection, and (10)
Jesus’ appearance after his death.
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College & University Application Preparation
We will be spending a great deal of time during the first six weeks
writing your résumés and college essays. As part of your
preparation for those activities, the last part of your summer
assignment is to choose three colleges/universities to which you
might consider applying.
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The first should be your “dream college,” the one you
would most like to attend if everything goes your way.
The second should be a college that you would really like
to attend and to which you know you have a very good
chance of being accepted.
The third should be your “back-up” college, one that you
would not mind attending and that has a good program for you if you are not able to attend your
1st and 2nd choices.
After you have done your research, for each of your choices write a 1-paragraph to 1-page explanation
of why that college and that program is a good match for you (i.e., why is this your dream college?
What does this particular program have to offer you, especially in terms of your career expectations?).
To help you write the college essays that require you to discuss yourself and your achievements, you
will also do preliminary work on your “brag sheet” as part of your summer assignment. This will help
you not only complete your college applications and write your college essays, but it will also enable you
to assist whomever you ask to write letters of recommendation for you. This is your opportunity to
“market” yourself in the best possible way; you can let your recommenders know what you would most
like your colleges to know about you. Spend some time reflecting about yourself and your high school
career and answer the following questions (be sure to take this seriously and spend sufficient time
considering what you want others—especially college admissions officers—to know about you):
1. What type of student are you? What academic settings and assignments do you most enjoy?
What subjects interest you the most?
2. How have you challenged yourself in high school? Is your academic record an accurate measure
of your ability and potential? If not, what do you consider the best measure of your potential
success in college work?
3. Are there any outside circumstances (in your recent experience or background) that have
interfered with your academic performance? Have there been fluctuations in your academic
record? How would you explain them?
4. List the activities in which you have participated in each year of high school. Be as specific as
possible, including officer positions you have held, awards you have won, recognition you have
earned, and the number of hours per week and weeks per year you devoted to each:
a. Arts (literary, studio art, drama [including class plays], dance, both in and out of school,
etc.)
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b. Music (band, private instruction and performance, organizations, recitals, contests, etc.)
c. Athletics (off campus sports, team sports, private instruction, etc.)
d. UIL Activities (Ready Writing, Science, Number Sense, Calculator, Computer Science,
etc.)
e. Other Activities (Yearbook, Environmental Science Club, National Honor Society, etc.)
Special Note: For #4, please answer each question by year, so that you have a diagram of your
four years of activities. You may put your answers in chart form or use bullet points, as long
as you divide each answer by grade level and make your answers clear and complete.
5. Have you held a job during your four years of high school? Where did you work? What was
your specific job? What did you do? How many hours per week were you employed? What
were the dates of your employment?
6. What kind of volunteer work or community service have you done during your four years of
high school? (Be sure to include activities both on and off campus, and those with your church or
off-campus clubs.)
7. What would you most like a prospective college to know about you? Is there anything that
might not show up in the application or that people in general do not know about you that you
think they should?
This section should be typed and neatly presented (if you do not have access to a computer, neat
handwritten work will be accepted). If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet, work with
your classmates and pull together to share your resources. I encourage you to make use of the public
libraries and ask the librarians for help. Any undergraduate student can attest that most of their studying
and school work gets done at the library. Familiarize yourself with the public libraries and the help
librarians can offer you in your research and college endeavors. Please note that printing can easily
become expensive at a public library (about 10 cents per page). Print only the most essential pages if you
do not have a printer at home. Try to save all of your work on a pen drive so you can easily access it
when we go to the computer labs to draft your essays/résumés.
I have no problem with you printing out your work on the first day of school at our library/computer
labs, but please note: ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE ON THE FIRST DAY.
Put all of the materials in a folder or a binder separate from your other English work (be sure that
everything is attached in some way so that nothing gets lost), preferably with dividers to separate each
of your three college choices and your “brag sheet” materials. I will collect your college folders on the
first day of class.
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