REMINDER! REMINDER!! REMINDER!!!
ALL Parents...
All WHS returning students (10th -12th graders) are REQUIRED to read (using criteria below) and submit a book report on the 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL, 9/5/2007.
This assignment was previously emailed to parents several weeks ago.
This homework assignment is critical, and given the new 4x4 schedule – where the school year is broken into four quarters rather than two semesters – it is IMPERATIVE that your student-child gets off to the right start on DAY ONE!
If your student hasn’t started this report, he/she has a little better than one week to read, comprehend and synthesize the data for his/her report as outlined below! GET THEM MOVING IMMEDIATELY! PASS ON TO ANOTHER PARENT!
View information on WHS' website at: http://www.westchesterhs.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=38121&id=0&rn=6686742
Summer Reading Assignment 2007 (6/1)
“The more that you read, the more you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”—Dr. Seuss
Since research shows that those who read more, know more and read and write better, Westchester High School encourages students with its annual summer reading assignment. All students must select one book from the list below for their incoming grade and class and then complete one of the attached assignments; those in an Honors class must select any two books for their grade and complete one assignment for one book and the other assignment for the other book, and those in an Advanced Placement class must select both books and contact their teacher at www.westchesterhs.org for their assignments. Books may be borrowed or purchased; assignments must be typed and are due on the first day of school, September 5, 2007, in English class—work that is late or plagiarized or without a name will receive a Fail. All students should expect a quiz or test on this assignment. For examples of student work or more information, visit http://www.westchesterhs.org/.
Assignment #1: Readers/Writers Notebook
A Readers/Writers Notebook is a personalized journal of a student’s own comments, opinions, or questions about a work that helps him or her to remember, think about, and understand the text. Entries are frequent—every chapter or section—and at least one 5-7 sentence long paragraph with meaningful and relevant notes. The assignment is neatly typed and double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font in black ink with 1 inch margins on clean printer paper; no coversheet or folder is required. The assignment is due on the first day of school, September 5, 2007, in English class.—work without a name or that is late or plagiarized will receive a Fail. For examples of student work or more information, visit http://www.westchesterhs.org.
Assignment #2: Literary Notebook
A literary notebook is a study guide that summarizes and analyzes a work’s various elements and helps review that work in preparation for any assignments, quizzes, or tests. Each element consists of at least one 5-7 sentence long paragraph with a detailed and thorough explanation of that element. The assignment is neatly typed and double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font in black ink with 1 inch margins on clean printer paper; no coversheet or folder is required. The assignment is due on the first day of school, September 5, 2007, in English class.—work without a name or that is late or plagiarized will receive a Fail. For examples of student work or more information, visit http://www.westchesterhs.org/.
1. Title: What is the title of the book? How and why do you think it received its title?
2. Author: Who is the author? Describe his/her persona. What was his/her purpose or reason for writing this book? Who do you think is his/ her audience?
3. Summary: What is the book about? Briefly summarize the content or main plot and identify its exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
4. Setting: When and where does the book take place? Describe the setting in terms of the time period, and emotional, mental, and/or physical environment.
5. Motif/Symbol/Theme: What is an important motif, symbol, or theme in this book? Explain its significance with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.
6. Protagonist: Who is the main character? Describe his/her emotional, mental, and/or physical persona. What is his/her conflict or relationship to the antagonist? Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.
7. Antagonist: Who is the individual in opposition to the main character? Describe his/her emotional, mental, and/or physical persona. What is his/her conflict or relationship to the protagonist? Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.
8. Other: Select another character. Describe his/her emotional, mental, and/or physical persona. What is his/her function or place? Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.
9. Style: What is your opinion of the author’s writing style? Analyze his/her words, sentences, and other details. Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.
10. Quote: Select a brief passage that means something to you, and then comment on or discuss its importance. What does it say? What does it mean? Why does it matter?
