Date: 2008-2009
The CCHS English Department believes summer reading complements our curriculum and benefits our students by providing challenging, interesting literature that stimulates the intellect and the imagination. Like athletes training in the off-season, students continue reading to exercise the skills required for doing their best. Further, these selections provide common bases for diagnostic assessments of student performance, from basic reading comprehension to the identification and application of literary terms to the more formal analysis of imagery, themes, and genres. By providing engaging, provocative stories, summer reading books set the academic tone and expectations for the upcoming school year.
Both English 12 and Honors English 12 will be reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (ISBN# 0-312-97947-9).
Honors English 12 will also read Rebecca by Daphne Du Maureier (ISBN# 0-380-73040-5).
Mark significant passages and make notes in the margins. Such active reading will help you better prepare for extensive assessments of both novels at the very beginning of the year. To further that end, complete the following:
1. For Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, respond to the discussion questions available at www.gocougars.org in typed, complete sentences formatted according to MLA convention . Study questions are due the second day of class. In addition to this assignment, you will be assessed on your understanding of the novel in the first week of school, so be prepared!
2. For Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, read carefully the definitions of the Gothic novel and the Byronic hero at www.gocougars.org and select passages from the novel that illustrate how Rebecca typifies that genre and how its principal male character typifies that character type. Be certain to record these passages and be prepared to defend and discuss them during the first week of school.
We look forward to a challenging but rewarding year ahead. Enjoy the readings and have a restful summer!