AP English Literature & Composition
Juniors
Embedded Files
S U M M E R - T I M E !
Semester I
Weekly Agenda
Monday 8/24
Blog #1
moved Friday 8/21 .....Blogging [edublogs.org]
What is the difference between prose and poetry? How do you feel about poetry?
Tuesday 8/25
Introduction to Kafka
Group mini-research on Kafka
"Acquainted with the Night" by Robert Frost (connection to Kafka)
Reading strategy: pay attention to the 'BUT'
Wednesday 8/26
Are there different types of 'BUT's'?
Using Frost's poems as an example, what do 'BUT's' do?
Kafka Unit Overview:
In this unit you will interrogate how Kafka’s surreal narrative dramatizes existential, psychological, and social anxieties—and how poets across eras articulate similar tensions through compressed, image‑driven language. You will perform close reading, rhetorical analysis, comparative literary argumentation, and thematic synthesis.
Presented in a manner, that is hopefully, non-threatening or scary. The goal is to feel comfortable in engaging in academic topics that are both rigorous and engaging.
Discussion Questions
Thursday 8/27
Friday 8/28
Sat/Sun
Semester I
Weekly Agenda
Monday 8/17
Summer Reading - novel discussion
Setting up your class blog [edublogs.org]
period 3 - I may not be back in time for period 3. If I am not back please hold off on this till I guide you in setting up the blog
If I'm not back in time, discuss your thoughts on the articles you read over the summer
What did you learn about the topics the articles covered?
Which article captivated you? Why?
Tuesday 8/18
Summer Reading - novel discussion (finalize if needed)
Period 3 only: briefly discuss the novel you read over the summer. On a sticky, state whether you recommend the novel (explain why)
Analysis (art project - in-class)
Bring a small old towel
Wednesday 8/19
Share your Analysis (art project)
Thursday 8/20
Continue... abstract watercolor painting and tone/theme analysis. Assignment instructions are posted on Canvas.
moved to Monday 8/24 .....Blogging [edublogs.org] - period 3 need to create account first
set up your account ... time in class to finalize if needed
link account to the class blog
Blog #1 - What is Poetry? --
Misconceptions about poetry
Friday 8/21
Finish your tone/theme watercolor analysis assignment posted on Canvas. Remember to take a picture of your watercolor painting and upload it along with your essay.
Sat/Sun
Semester I
Weekly Agenda
Monday 8/10
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Tuesday 8/11 - First Day of School!
Welcome Back!
Logistics
Summer Assignment
Wednesday 8/12
Submitting your summer assignment
Tone card (related to the trilogy essays)
Thursday 8/13
Class Resources
Friday 8/14
Course Syllabus
AP Classroom Registration
What is AP English Literature all about & Intro to Unit 1
Sat/Sun
YOU WILL TURN IN YOUR SUMMER ASSIGNMENT ON THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL VIA CANVAS. PLEASE DO NOT SHARE YOUR WORK WITH ME TILL YOU RECIEVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SUBMIT.
Summer Reading 2026
Summer Reading 2026
Welcome to AP English Literature! This summer, you will complete three distinct tasks designed to sharpen your narrative voice, analytical summary skills, and cultural critique.
📝 Task 1: The Summer Trilogy Essays
Write three brief, distinct essays. Each essay must be 150 to 300 words (max), typed, double-spaced, and written in MLA format. Focus on vivid sensory details and strong voice.
Essay 1: The Zenith – Describe the single best day of your summer.
Essay 2: The Nadir – Describe the absolute worst day of your summer.
Essay 3: The Comic Relief – Narrate a genuinely funny incident that happened to you or around you.
📰 Task 2: Current Events & Critical Voice
Stay connected to the world around you by tracking contemporary journalism.
1. Select: Find three high-quality news articles dated between June 2026 and August 2026.(from the approved list of sources below)
The New York Times
The BBC
The Wall Street Journal
The Atlantic
The Economist
2. Print: Print a physical copy of each article to turn in.
3. Respond: On a separate sheet of paper attached to each article, write a precise three-sentence response:
o Sentence 1: Briefly summarize the central point or argument of the article.
o Sentence 2: State your personal opinion, position, or reaction to the piece.
o Sentence 3: Explain why you hold this opinion, using evidence from the text.
📝 Task 3: Le Roman
You will read one text before entering into AP Literature and Composition in August. The purpose of the summer assignment is to stay mentally active, so enjoy your reading - I will be reading along with you. Please select a book from the list below (you can choose an alternate book just let me know in advance/ have it approved).
If you have any questions over the summer, email ghinojosa@dpol.net. I am looking forward to a great year with you.
The book you will be reading:
The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. If you can't get a physical copy you can read the PDF version - Link: https://www.adobe.com/be_en/active-use/pdf/Alice_in_Wonderland.pdf
The Long Walk by Stephen King. Here is a link to a PDF version; however it doesn't show the page numbers: https://ia902903.us.archive.org/12/items/FantasyFictionebookcollection/Stephen%20King/Bachman%20Novels/The%20Long%20Walk.pdf
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Here is a link to a PDF version of this novel: https://www.ssgopalganj.in/online/E-Books/CLASS%20VIII/Life%20of%20Pi%20by%20Yann%20Martel.pdf
Here is a great video (not an article, but can be used to search up articles on the topic) about a fly farm in London
Here are two articles on AI you might find interesting
Article on cute animal called Pangolin
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