Woodrow Summer Reading, 2012: An Overview

Sometimes things aren't as clear as we believe them to be, so here is the summer reading list one more time, all together, in one location:

NOTE: Acquire the novels at the least personal expense possible. The edition matters little as long as it is the full, unabridged edition. You may pick up a copy at a retail, wholesale, or re-sale outlet--real or online--or even a public library; just be sure to have the books read and available for use on day one when the new school year begins.

Incoming 12th Graders

• AP Literature
• Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
• Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall
• IB Literature
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Incoming 11th Graders

• AP Language & IB Literarture
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Incoming 10th Graders

• On-level 10th Grade
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Pre-AP
•  Night by Elie Wiesel
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Pre-IB
•  Night by Elie Wiesel
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• The Once and Future King by T. H. White

All Incoming 9th Graders (go here for the assignment)

•  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Woodrow Summer Reading, 2012: 11th Grade

The following books are the assigned summer reading for incoming 11th graders at Woodrow Wilson:

For AP English Language and Composition or 11th Grade IB Literature (doesn't matter which, you're reading the same two):

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is the second novel by Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid, and it is not the story you anticipate. I will fully admit that I was skeptical upon opening the book, but I was quickly disabused of any concerns--in fact, I couldn't put it down. A political thriller, this novella is a classic story of post-9/11 disillusionment with the American Dream and all its wretched excess. Part-spy-thriller, part-romance, this story will make you think.

 First of all, Into the Wild is non-fiction written by a regular contributor for Outside Magazine. Second, there is a movie, but I don't advise watching it at all. You don't need it. Third, don't read this book in an enclosed area, especially if the A/C is on high. This book reveals right on the cover that the subject of the book, a young man fresh out of college, died doing this; in spite of this spoiler, the book is riveting and will make you reconsider your camping plans.

Woodrow Summer Reading, 2012: 12th Graders

The following books are the assigned summer reading for incoming 12th graders at Woodrow Wilson:

Mr. Black's AP English Literature and Composition classes:

and

Ms. Kaiser's IB Literature class:

 and

Woodrow Summer Reading, 2012: 10th Grade

The following books are the assigned summer reading for incoming 10th graders at Woodrow Wilson:

 On-level 10th graders:

Pre-AP 10th Graders: Night by Elie Wiesel, and...

Pre-IB 10th Graders: Wiesel's Night, Orwell's Animal Farm, and...

Woodrow Summer Reading, 2012: 9th Grade

The following books are the assigned summer reading for incoming 9th graders at Woodrow Wilson:

Your assignment will be to complete a summer reading response journal and be prepared to give an oral presentation (specific assignment will be given to you on the first day of school).

Summer Reading Response Journal Directions:
This journal is due on the first FRIDAY of class. It will seriously affect your grade if you do not put much thought into it, if you do not complete it, or if you fail to turn it in.

Interesting/Valuable Quotes and Reading Response Journal

• Find at least 5 (five) significant quotes (no more than one in any chapter).
• Quotes can be phrases, clauses, sentences, or passages that you feel represent some universal or important statement that the novel makes. Include page numbers for all quotes and explain WHY you find the quotes interesting or valuable (give extended commentary analysis of at least 1 developed paragraph in length for each quote, as opposed to a few hastily written sentences).

AP/IB Research Project Due Dates

In the next six-week grading period, we will have a research paper due in various stages. I am posting the dates now so that you will have plenty of time to work this in to your busy schedule.

Note: Even though AP and IB are going in different directions this next grading period, the assignment and the due dates are the same.

Each student will choose a modern controversial issue in an emerging nation to research. The issue must be the result of American and/or European imperialism/colonialism, and by "modern" I mean on-going issues continuing into the 2oth and 21st centuries, or issues that have arisen as a result of past "first-world" intervention.

Parameters

• Each paper will cite a minimum of three (3) legitimate sources
• Each paper will be between three and seven typed pages in length (or 6-14 handwritten pages)
  
• Each final paper will be typed in MLA format (12 font, Times New Roman, 1" margins, etc)
  

Due Dates (all dates have a cut-off of 4:15pm CST):

• March 2 - Topic
• March 9 - Four (4) legitimate sources (print-outs or photocopies)
  
• March 23 - Rough Draft (hand-written or typed)
• March 20-28 and April 2-5 - individual appointments before or after school to review rough drafts
• April 6 - Final Draft due

Note: March 29 through April 1 is the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh; therefore, I will be out of town and unable to help you unless you drive to the reenactment site in Tennessee and find me. Even then, I will be in the 19th century and unable to help you with events that have yet to occur; I may actually arm you and make you fight for whichever side I'm on at the moment. Or I might have you shot as a spy. Either way, it's your risk.

We will discuss the parameters in further detail in class, but it's a good idea to start thinking about it now since the paper does, in essence, stem from our reading of Heart of Darkness.

AP Exam Registration!!!

Hey!

Register ASAP for the Advanced Placement exams you plan to take in May. The deadline to register without incurring a $50 late fee is March 30.

Because of the grants we get to help defray costs, there are two tiers of expense: grant-assisted and full-price. If you are on the free or reduced lunch program, then you are eligible for a further decrease in the overall cost of your exams (again, thank you, grants).

Science, math, and English exams all qualify for the reduced cost of $31 for each exam. This means if you are in my AP or IB English class, you only need to pay $31 for the AP English Language and Composition exam. (If you are on the lunch program, then it's only $13. Not free, but close.)

Psych, arts, music, foreign languages, and all of the social studies exams are $87 each. Yes, it's pricey, but we don't get breaks to help defray these costs--much to my chagrin. (And if you are on the lunch program, then the cost is $27. Again, not free, but not too bad.)

The forms are coming to class in the next day or so. You can also get a copy of the form from Ms. Porter up in the testing room on the second floor.

REMEMBER:

The Mostest Importantest Test Date of Your Whole Life

is May 16, 2012

at 8:00 am CST!!!!!!1!!!!one!!!!