Academic English I/Ancient World Cultures

                                    Outside Reading-Biography or Autobiography 2010 Q1

 

In both classes, your in-class work will be supported and reinforced by the work you do on your own outside of class.  In this assignment, we ask you to read about an historical figure (a person who actually lived) and to complete a packet that will be graded by both Ms. Krauss and Ms. Watt.

 

Here are the skills and ideas that you will be practicing:

-Reading for information

-Summarizing what you’ve read

-Completing work in a timely manner

-Completing work of quality

 

Your task:

1. Choose a work of non-fiction that is about a single person’s life. This may be biography, autobiography or memoir.

 

2. Show the book to both Ms. Krauss and to Ms. Watt for approval.  You have now made a contract with us to read that book. The final date for approval is_________________.

 

3.  Start reading right away.  If you do not like your book or it seems too difficult to complete in the allotted time, you may change it.  Show us your new book.  Your deadline for a change is __________________Bring your book to both classes and to study hall every day.

 

4.  You have a midpoint check with both teachers. By _____________indicate where you are in your reading and/or show the written work that you’ve started.

 

5.  Here’s what you are required to complete by the final deadline __________________

            -a brief summary of each chapter

            -a list of characters with brief descriptions

            -at least twenty quotes total, with page numbers, on the four notes pages

 

6. The notes are not graded, but are required in order for you to complete the assessment, which is graded.

 

7. On the due date, you will show your notes to Ms. Krauss.  If these are COMPLETE (no partial work is accepted) you will then, in class, write explanations using TWO of the notes sheets you have made while reading.

 

8. This assignment will be your only homework in English, unless you are absent and have make-up work. You are expected to manage your reading and notes over several weeks by doing some every night. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!  Late work is penalized by -10 daily for four days; after that, the student receives a zero. Late work will need to be made up after school.