High School Summer Assignments 2009

NINTH GRADE

English
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
You are going to read a novel about a young woman who, while yearning for her mother and suffering at the hands of a harsh father, learns hope and acceptance. As you read, consider the ways in which Lily transforms from the frightened girl we met at the beginning of the novel to the strong young woman at the end. As you read, look for places in the text where you can detect a change in Lily. We will discuss that change in September.

World Cultures
Santa Claus in Baghdad and Other Stories about Teens in the Arab World by Elsa Marston
This book is eight short stories about teens living in Arab countries. As you read the stories you will see cultural differences, but at the same time come upon some very familiar feelings and concerns that you may have. Think about commonalities that you share with the characters. What similarities do you see? With whom would you want to trade places?

After reading, write an essay showing similarities between American culture and Arab culture referencing four of the short stories. In addition, answer the question “If you could trade places with one of the main characters in one of the stories, who would it be and why?”

This essay should be typed, double spaced, and sent to your teacher by August 24, 2009. (Refer to your schedule for the name of your World Cultures teacher.)

TENTH GRADE

English

British Literature
Mrs. McGuiness and Ms. Nobles
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
This work will be the basis of our first in-depth look at the British novel. Students are to read the novel and be prepared to discuss it on the first full day of classes. As well as reading the novel, students are to define all vocabulary words given. Check tests will be given to test careful reading of the text on the FIRST FULL DAY OF CLASS. Also, we will begin the year with a writing assignment and a vocabulary quiz WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL. Instructions and expectations for these assignments will be given during classes, however if you would like to prepare the writing piece in advance, the instructions are as follows:

Compose a 1.5 page reflection on Frankenstein on the following topic:

• Explain the character development by discussing the change in the character of Frankenstein’s monster.
• Include one or two specific examples to support your statements about the character.
• Requirements: Times New Roman, 12 point font.

HONORS British Literature
Mrs. McGuiness
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
These works will be the basis of our first in-depth look at the British novel. Students are to read both novels and be prepared to discuss them on the first full day of classes. As well as reading the novels, students are to define all vocabulary words given. Check tests will be given to check careful reading on the FIRST FULL DAY OF CLASS. Also, we will begin the year with a writing assignment and a vocabulary quiz WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL. Instructions and expectations for these assignments will be given during classes, however if you would like to prepare the writing piece in advance, the instructions are as follows:

Compose a 1.5 page reflection on EACH novel on the following topics:

• Explain the character development by discussing the change in the character of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.
• Explain the character development by discussing the change in the character of Frankenstein’s monster in Frankenstein.

Requirements:

• Times New Roman
• 12 point font

Social Studies

Advanced Placement US Government and Politics
AP US Government and Politics is an exciting and challenging class. I am looking forward to working with you in this your first college course. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me - sgallagher@ndapa.org. Click here for the full assignment.

American Government
Goal: To gain an appreciation of contemporary American politics.

How? Reading an enjoyable book (perhaps a biography) or any other book dealing with contemporary political issues (women in politics, environment, constitutional struggles, civil rights, regional politics, national politics etc.) Click here for a list of suggested titles.

Due date: Monday, September 13, 2009 (for all students). Bonus Points for completed report turned in on September 10, 2009. Click here for the full assignment.

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ELEVENTH GRADE

English

American Literature
Choose THREE of the following books (two novels, and one drama) and write two-page journal responses to each text you read. Specifically, think about themes and style (characterization, word choice and sentence structure, imagery, figurative language, etc). How did you respond to the style of each novel you chose to read?

• The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
• A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (drama)
• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
• The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman (drama)
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• All My Sons by Arthur Miller
• Any novel by Ernest Hemingway

AP English Language & Composition
Ms. Elizabeth Collins
The assignment is to carefully read the following books and be prepared to discuss them in class.

• THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger
• ETHAN FROME by Edith Wharton
• THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Mark Haddon
• THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O’Brien

Social Studies

United States History
Tom Brokaw. An Album of Memories Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation.
Goal: The story of the Greatest Generation is told through an album of family stories, ranging from memoirs, letters, pictures, diaries, and vignettes, during the times of the Great Depression and World War II .These ordinary people are America’s unsung heroes, men and women, who were the best of America in our “finest hour.” Without a doubt these men and women were the heroes of our country. Click here for the full assignment.

Advanced Placement United States History
A People and a Nation (first three chapters)
All summer work is due on Friday, September 5th: There are 2 kinds of work: oral and written. I will check your class notes for your oral work. I will collect all written answers and identifications. Timeliness is important. Click here for the full assignment.

Kindly e-mail me if you have any questions at any point over the summer at: lmcmahon@ndapa.org.

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ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH GRADES

Science

Advanced Placement Biology
The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us About Our Kids by Barbara Strauch
Students are to write an essay (3-4 double-spaced typed pages) as a response to the groundbreaking new research in the neurophysiology of the teenage brain and its implications for parents, teachers and the students themselves. How should we respond to this new information? The essay is due the first day of classes and will count as 40 points

Advanced Placement Environmental Science
Students are to collect 10 current event articles related to environmental science and summarize each article on an index card. This will be due the first day of classes.

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TWELFTH GRADE

English

Contemporary Themes in Literature
Mrs. Kim Burke
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Students are to read the abovenovels and write a short reflection (250-300 words) on each of the novels discussing how isolation affects the development of the main character from the novel. Consider what individuals or factors isolate each character and how this isolation affects his or her individuality and freedom.

Multidisciplinary Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition
Dr. David Califf
Students are to read the following novels and then consider an essential question each novel raises. In a 250–300 word reflection that does not include summary, the student is to identify an essential question posed by the novel and then discuss the ways in which the characters, situations, or events of the novel provoke that question.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Advanced Placement Comparative Government
Reading Lolita in Tehran: a memoir in books by Azar Nafisi
Please write complete, thoughtful answers to each of the questions listed below. No research is necessary. Write your answers based on information gleaned and inferred from reading the book.

1. From reading about the hopes of the people, what did you infer were some of the reasons for the revolution? What seem to have been the hopes of the people concerning post-revolutionary Iran? Explain differences in the hopes, and account for the differences.
2. In the aftermath of the revolution, how did the Islamic Republic live up to the hopes of the people? Were only some satisfied? Explain.
3. Identify with one person in the story other than Azar Nafisi. What did the experience of the Islamic revolution and life in the new Republic do to and for this person. Explain.
4. What did Azar Mafisi learn about herself, Islam, women, and literature through her teaching experiences in Tehran , both in the university and in her home?
5. What was your most significant learning as a result of reading this book?

Your answers should be typed and ready to hand to Sister Nancy on the first day of class. Please remember that you cannot answer any of the questions in depth in a single paragraph. This book will be discussed in class when we begin Iran in October.

Happy reading!

ALL GRADES

Mathematics
Returning Notre Dame students receive a summer assignment in their math classes before the current school year concludes. Extra copies of all assignments are available in the school’s main office.

Foreign Language Courses
The Foreign Language Department assigns short readings appropriate to each language level accompanied by study guides, reading comprehension or writing exercises. With the exception of Latin, the readings are distributed to incoming students in class before summer vacation. Each teacher provides specific instructions regarding when the written assignments are due and how they will be assessed. Below is the list of foreign language courses with summer work. Each course has a link to the description of the assignment. Please email the teacher of the course with any questions or problems.

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