Sharyland High School English I Pre-AP Summer Reading and Required Projects Due on the 3 rd Day of Class Required Readings: A Raisin in the Sun By Lorrain Hansberry A RAISIN IN THE SUN portrays a few weeks in the life of the s, an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. When the play opens, the s are about to receive an insurance check for $10,000. As the play progresses the s clash over their competing dreams. Ruth discovers that she is pregnant but fears that if she has the child, she will put more financial pressure on her family members. s eventually move out of the apartment, fulfilling the family s long-held dream. Their future seems uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they are optimistic and determined to live a better life. They believe that they can succeed if they stick together as a family and resolve to defer their dreams no longer. Price: $10.19 ISBN: 978-0679755333 Students are asked to purchase these particular versions of the books in order to keep readings and assignments consistent for everyone. Mythology By Edith Hamilton A keystone of our culture is the body of myth and legend of the ancient Western world-stories of gods, and heroes that have inspired human creativity from antiquity to present day. In Mythology, Edith Hamilton brings this legacy to life anew, with impeccably accurate and accessible Price: $7:50 ISBN: 978-0316341516
Dear Pre-AP Student: As you enter your freshman year, you will be encountering an educational journey that is focused on high-level thinking and rigorous writing; these skills are necessary to be able to think, to interpret and to write effectively about literature. The required literature was chosen so that you would have experience with both classic and modern literature. This experience will provide you with background knowledge and require you to understand literary terms, apply those terms to literature, and write coherently about what you have read. In Hansberry s A Raisin in the Sun, the reader learns about the interfamily conflicts that arise out of an individual s desire to pursue his/her dream. The play tells the story about a family that, although they love and respect one another, do not share the same goal. The play answers the dramatic question: Will the family be able to come together despite differences? Hamilton s book, Mythology, brings to light the trials and tribulations of the Greek gods on Olympus, the Norse gods in Valhalla, the stories behind the Oedipus trilogy, and legends such as those of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Cupid and Psyche, and Medusa. The book also provides background on the Trojan War, the epic hero Odysseus, and his perilous journey home to Ithaca. We hope you enjoy this reading experience and will be prepared to share your understanding and enjoyment of these selections when you meet with your new Pre- AP class in August. Sincerely, English I Pre AP Teachers Required Reading Sections in Mythology Part One: The Gods, the Creation, and the Earliest Heroes pp. 24-95 Part Two: Stories of Love and Adventure Chapter 5- Cupid and Psyche pp. 96-104 Chapter 7- Quest of the Golden Fleece pp.122-135 Chapter 8- Four Great Adventures pp. 136-145
A Raisin in the Sun (50% of total grade) By Lorraine Hansberry In this assignment you will select quotes (one from each act) that reveal outstanding characteristics of the main characters. Fill in the chart below, following the example provided. Commentary is defined as your personal response, opinion, or reflection on a point you have made about the quote. Character Quote Act/Scene Page Meaning Commentary Lena (Mama) Act 1 Scene 1 Ex. I rightly decided. (Thinking. She speaks now with emphasis) Some of it got to be put away for Beneatha and her schoolin -and ain t nothing going to touch that part of it. Nothing. 44 Mama is determined to make sure that there is money for Beneatha s education, and no one will touch it. Although Mama is uneducated she values education and wants that for her children. Lena (Mama) Act 2 Lena (Mama) Act 3
Character Quote Act/Scene Page Meaning Commentary Walter Lee Act 1 Scene Walter Lee Act 2 Walter Lee Act 3
Character Quote Act/Scene Page Meaning Commentary Ruth Act 1 Scene Ruth Act 2 Ruth Act 3
Character Quote Act/Scene Page Meaning Commentary Beneatha Act 1 Scene Beneatha Act 2 Beneath Act 3
Mythology (Each poem is 25% of total grade) By Edith Hamilton In this assignment, you are to create two I Am poems. One poem will focus on the point of view of one of the mythological figures with whom you relate to most. In essence, you will fill in the template below with the information asked for in the parentheses; this information is based on what your mythological figure would probably answer. The second poem will focus on your personal point of view, i.e. information about yourself and your feelings. Each poem must: 1) Be typed and centered on one full page. 2) Have a border. 3) Have an illustration. I AM (Character s Name) I am (two special characteristics your character has) I wonder (something your character is curious about) I hear (an imaginary sound) I see (an imaginary sight) I want (and actual desire) I am (the first line of a poem repeated) I pretend (something your character pretends to do) I feel (a feeling about something imaginary) I touch (an imaginary touch) I worry (something that really bothers your character) I cry (something that makes you very sad) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) I understand (something your character knows is true) I say (something your character believes in) I dream (something your character makes an effort about) I try (something your character hopes for) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) Here is an example: I am Carlos I am a crazy guy who loves golf I wonder what life will be like in 3000 CE I hear voices in my head I see dead people I want to be a Jedi I am a crazy guy who loves golf. I pretend I know everything I feel everyone is condemning me I touch the putter with care and love I worry about missing the green, but I am a crazy guy who loves golf. I understand I will never be a pro I say, What the heck, let me be! I dream of becoming Tiger Woods I try to imagine what it would be like to be rich I hope I will find out someday I am crazy guy who loves golf.
Rubric A Raisin in the Sun (50% of Total Grade) Quote Meaning Commentary Points Earned Provided Basic Basic 2 pts. 2 pts. 2 pts. Satisfactory Satisfactory 3 pts. 4 pts. Advanced 4 pts. Advanced 6 pts. Meaning: a. Basic- writer provides the minimum information required to explain or interpret the quote. b. Satisfactory- writer provides clear supporting information about the quote. c. Advanced- writer provides extensive ideas/interpretation about the quote, using precise diction and academic vocabulary. Commentary: a. Basic- writer provides minimum analysis of the dialogue to determine the character s traits. b. Satisfactory- writer provides clear, supporting information in their analysis of the character s traits. c. Advanced- While using precise diction and vocabulary, the writer provides insightful interpretation of the dialogue. Rubric Mythology (Each poem is worth 25% of total grade) Criteria Points Evidence of Effective Planning 20 Pts. Content/Knowledge of Content 50 Pts. Visual Appeal 10 Pts. Oral Delivery 20 Pts. Total Total Pts.