English I Pre-AP
What should I read?
The faculty at Southside High School have worked hard to create a summer reading experience that will expand your knowledge and prepare you for the academic rigor of the Pre-AP courses. Throughout the summer, you will be expected to read a total of two books. One book will be of your choice and the other will be assigned. Each book will have a separate assignment, which is detailed below.
When is it due?
You will notice in the instructions below that some of your summer reading tasks can be turned in via drop off locations over the summer. If possible, please use that option for the Book 1 assignment. However, at the very latest, hard copies of all assignments (2 postcards and a major works data sheet) must be submitted to your English teacher by Monday, August 21.
What if I didn't get post cards?
We apologize that some of our students did not receive postcards prior to the school year ending. Students have two options. They can use any postcard for the assignment or they can pick up a postcard during orientation in July.
What if I have questions throughout the summer?
Feel free to contact Mrs. Jade Calais, the school librarian, at jrcampbell@lpssonline.com or Mrs. Kimberlyn Slagle, the English I Pre-AP teacher, at krslagle@lpssonline.com.
Book 1: A Book of Your Choice
Book Selection:
For the first book, read whatever makes you happy. No matter what books you choose, you will pick up new vocabulary words, learn about life, and grow as a reader and a member of society. For this reason, the choice is up to you. All we ask is that you read at least one book of your choice this summer. If you need help choosing what to read, we can help with that. You can find book recommendations at the Southside High School Library website.
Assignment:
You will need two postcards, whether it is the official Southside postcard, or postcards of your own choosing. Twice throughout the summer, write a note to your fellow Southside Sharks about whatever it is that you’ve been reading. Take the postcards to any of the delivery locations in town, or bring it with you to orientation on July 27th at First Assembly of God Church.
Make sure the postcard includes the following:
- Title of book
- Author of book
- A few sentences that express your thoughts about the book. (A few things to consider: What did you find interesting? What did you like or dislike about it? What questions do you have? How would you rate the book? Would you recommend it to a friend?)
Delivery Locations:
- Lafayette East Regional Library 215 La Neuville Rd.
- Youngsville Sports Complex Office 801 Savoy Rd.
Grading:
Throughout the summer, the faculty will keep a record of which students have turned in in postcards. You will receive 15 points for each card. To earn full credit, make sure each of your postcards include the items listed above. The summer reading postcards are summative assignments.
Book 2: Coming of Age selection
Book Selection:
The Pre-AP English I curriculum focuses on the “coming of age” experience as it is portrayed in a variety of literature. Coming-of-age is generally defined as the period in life where one matures, goes through life-changing experiences, and becomes the adult he or she is destined to be. The first unit will include an examination of the coming-of-age experiences highlighted in one of the following books. Each is recommended for study by students preparing for the Advanced Placement program by either the Springboard curriculum or the College Board.
- Ender’s Game
- Author: Orson Scott Card
- Description: Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses -- and then training them in the arts of war... The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of 'games'... Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games... He is smart enough to know that time is running out. But is he smart enough to save the planet?
- The Secret Life of Bees
- Author: Sue Monk Kidd
- Description: Set in South Carolina in 1964, this novel tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past.
- The House on Mango Street
- Author: Sandra Cisneros
- Description: On a series of vignettes, The House on Mango Street covers a year in the life of Esperanza, a Chicana (Mexican-American girl), who is about twelve years old when the novel begins. During the year, she moves with her family into a house on Mango Street. Esperanza, who's often followed by her younger sister Nenny, meets the other residents of Mango Street and describes their often difficult lives in a series or short sketches.
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
- Author: Sherman Alexie
- Description: Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. This book chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.
Assignment:
You will create a Major Works Data Sheet for Ender's Game, The Secret Life of Bees, The House on Mango Street, or The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Read and follow these guidelines carefully:
- Your completed Major Works Data Sheet must be typed in a Times New Roman 12 point font.
- Use your novel, Gale Virtual Reference Library, and reliable Internet sources to find the information needed for each category. Do not use Wikipedia or other websites that are not credible.
- Although you are using outside sources, the majority of your information should be paraphrased and/or summarized (not directly quoted).
- At no point should you copy and paste from Spark Notes or a similar website. All work should be a reflection of your own original thought. Plagiarism from another source and/or classmate will result in a zero. All information taken from a source must be documented.
Click here to access the components of a Major Works Data Sheet.
Click here to view an example of the Major Works Data Sheet.
Click here to access a template for the Major Works Data Sheet.
Grading:
A rubric will be used to evaluate the Major Works Data Sheet. Click here to view the rubric. The assignment will be worth 50 points and is a summative assessment.
Additional Information:
You should come to school prepared to discuss the novel. English teachers may use your summer reading choices for Socratic Seminars, essays, or other assignments.