IB English HL I (Juniors)

Teacher: Ms. Rapant & Ms. Hirsch

Read and annotate Rebecca Skloot’s: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Annotate for the following elements: 1) ethos, pathos, logos, 2) sections related to themes such as  racism, classism, sexism, the ethical implications of biomedical research, and the concept of immortality and its costs, and 3) Skloot's Narratorial Style: How she presents the story, character's perspectives, and her own role in the narrative.

On a GoogleDoc or Word document, complete the following THREE SECTIONS:

1. Research the following rhetorical modes of appeal and write clear definitions for each in your own words.

• Logos

• Ethos

• Pathos

2. As you read Henrietta Lacks,

• record at least two clear examples of Skloot’s use of each of the three rhetorical strategies listed above in your journal (you will have six examples total). 

• For each example, type out a quote from the book, include a page number and briefly discuss how/why you identify this section as logos, ethos or pathos.

3. Skloot argues that Henrietta Lacks’ story “raises important issues regarding science, ethics, race and class” (xiv).  Choose one of the underlined issues from this passage. Compose an analytic paragraph in which you:

• Identify what Skloot’s underlying argument seems to be about this issue. In other words, what does Skloot want the reader to understand about science, ethics, race or class in the United States?

• Demonstrate strong command of writing skills. Ensure that your paragraph includes a purposeful topic sentence, 2-3 quotations in support of your topic sentence (set-up and integrated into your own writing) and detailed analysis.

You will submit this document to Canvas on the first day of your Junior IB English class. Your book annotations will also be evaluated for grading and will be necessary for the first project/assignment that will continue to build on the knowledge gained during your summer work.

IB English HL I  II (Seniors)

Teacher: Ms. Sproul

Read and annotate Colson Whitehead's Underground Railroad  in preparation for a more detailed study of the novel’s structure (“Readers, Writers, & Texts”)  and context (“Time & Space”) in August.

Annotations will be assessed for thoroughness and for quality. We expect to see a combination of marginalia (thoughtful writing in the margins)  and underlining/highlighting/labelling; while not every page of the book must be annotated, most pages should be, and there should be no longer sections of the novel missing annotation.  You should also expect a detailed summer reading quiz during the first week of school in August. Read and annotate with an eye for the following themes, symbols, and literary structure:

Themes & Symbols:

• The Underground Railroad: A key feature of this novel is Whitehead’s choice to write  the historical metaphor of the underground railroad as a literal railroad. Consider what is achieved in this literary choice, as well as how the literal railroad also serves as a symbol in the novel. 

• Freedom: How does Whitehead seem to define freedom in the novel? Which varying types and levels are developed? 

• Narrative Authenticity/Authority of Black History: The novel’s protagonist, Cora, comments on how texts commenting on slavery “always got things wrong...on purpose as much as by accident.”  This is a common challenge in looking at historical accounts, which is why it is important to challenge what we think we know about the slave experience. How do accounts of slavery in this novel differ from accounts you’ve read/learned about elsewhere? Where and how does Whitehead challenge the authenticity/authority of these other historical accounts? How and why do accounts of slavery likely “get things wrong?”

Story Structure & Characterization:

• Geography & Landscape: Each chapter in this novel takes place in a distinct location. Whitehead develops place as its own entity in the novel. Consider how and where Whitehead develops scenes of cities, towns, and landscapes. How does his development of landscape further develop his commentary on slavery in the U.S.? What does Whitehead accomplish in  structuring his novel in this way? (Something to think about: Whitehead acknowledges that he drew inspiration for the structure from Gulliver’s Travels. If you haven’t read Gulliver’s travels, do some googling… how is this novel similar? Different?)

• Heroes, Villains, and the Archetypal Story Arc: While this novel is structured in an unusual way, you will recognize archetypal heroes, villains, mentors, and allies along the way. Annotate for these archetypal characters. Who are the heroes, villains, mentors and allies? Consider how Whitehead both utilizes and challenges typical tropes in storytelling and character development in  this novel.

IB Spanish IV

Teacher: Mr. Cohen

No Summer Homework

IB Spanish V

Teacher: Ms. Albright

No Written Summer Assignment

"There will be no required homework for IB Spanish V.  However, from the first day of class, instruction will be entirely in Spanish.  Students will also be expected to speak only in Spanish.  Please take some time over the summer to review and prepare for this.  Some suggestions:  watch Spanish language movies, find an Intercambio to practice with a native speaker, attend a conversation class, etc..."¡Que tengan buenas vacaciones!"

Teacher: Ms. Holland

No Summer Homework.

For students who have gone through only French 2: 

Please complete the French 3 summer coursework as assigned by Ms. Holland. 

Junior IB History Teacher: Mr. Kelly

No summer homework.

Senior IB History Teacher: Ms. Basile

No summer homework.

Teacher: Mr. Carroll

Please see the Summer Homework HERE

Teacher: Ms. Mills

There will be NO summer homework for IB ESS.

The textbook for this class will be available as .pdf chapters on Canvas.  

If you wish to purchase a copy of the textbook, the book can be found HERE

Junior IB Bio Ms. Meyer: Ms. Meyer

Please see the summer Homework found HERE

Senior IB Bio: Ms. Blue

To help jump into the second year of IB Biology HL, please complete the following before the first day of class in August:

1.  There are two notes powerpoints, please take your own notes from them (no guided notes provided) and be prepared for a quiz on the material the first class back in August.

2. Please complete the IA topic proposal for the first day of class.  We will be conferencing about your proposals and making revisions during the first week. 

Thanks and see you in the fall!

 HERE

Teacher: N/A

Not Offered for the 2025/2026 School Year

Teacher: Ms. Thorp

For IB Sports you are going to be purchasing the book The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

In addition, you should complete the summer assignment found HERE

Teacher: Ms. Federspill

Purchase the Textbook for IB Math Applications and Interpretations 

Applications and Interpretations SL

ISBN 978-0-19-8426981

May be purchased directly from Oxford Publications: 1-800-451-7556;

Also for purchase from Amazon and other vendors.

Please KEEP the insert that comes with your textbook, as it has the access code for the online version (you'll need this!).

This is a calculator-based class, and we strongly recommend that you purchase any version of the TI-84 Plus calculator.

For your summer homework, complete the worksheet located at the following Link. The Answer Key is also provided.

Math A&I Summer Worksheet

Math A&I Summer Worksheet Key

Refer to this formula booklet as you work.

Teacher: Mrs. Nock

There will be NO summer homework for IB Math A&A HL.

The textbook for this class will be available as .pdf chapters on Canvas.  

If you wish to purchase a copy of the textbook, it can be found here, or through other major retailers, such as Amazon:

Mathematics for the IB Diploma: Analysis and approaches HL Boost eBook

ISBN:

9781510461857

Published:

04/03/2020

Teacher: Ms. Bennett

No Summer Homework

Teacher: Mr. Hecker

HL I: No Summer HW

HL II: Work on 1-2 finished pieces of artwork in a style and medium of your own choosing that could be considered to be included in your Senior exhibition.

Teacher: Mr. Mercado

Please purchase the book "Making Movies" by Sidney Lumet and read the first 3 chapters

• Link to book HERE

TOK I Teachers: Mr. Singleton and Ms. Swartz

No Summer Assignment.

TOK II Teacher: Mr. Risner and Ms. Swartz

Please read one of the two books as suggested by Mr. Risner and Ms Swartz. You will read either "The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail" by Jason De Leon or "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" by Patrick Suskind and come ready to discuss and take a reading quiz during the first class period of the year. 

• The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail

• Perfume: The Story of a Murderer