Summer Assignments

2024 Summer Assignments

(Scroll down to see information for AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Pre-Calc, and AP Calc)

AP English Language and Composition – Ms. Drohan and Mr. Plyler

Dear Future AP student,

One of the most important skills that is taught in AP English Language is close reading. The national AP exam is just as much a reading test as it is a writing test. Therefore, your only homework in AP English Language will be to read the assigned novels throughout the year. Below is your first novel. We have included a reading schedule; if you would like to begin reading to get ahead, we strongly encourage it. We will begin working with the novel the first week of school. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to working with you.

Mrs. Drohan and Mr. Plyler

BOOK: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

“Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Relayed in his own unsparing voice, Demon braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.”

READING SCHEDULE:

Chapters 1-29 due August 14, 2024
Chapters 30-40 due August 21, 2024
Chapters 41-50 due August 28, 2024
Chapters 51-64 due September 4, 2024

As you read, keep track of the following:

1. Plot

What are the actions or events of the narrative? List major and minor events.
How does the passage of time function in the plot? Chronological? Is there foreshadowing? Are there flashbacks? List them.
Identify the climax.
Identify all conflicts (man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. nature, man vs. society). Be specific!

2. Character

Create a list of major and minor characters followed by a description.

3. Setting

Identify the setting(s) (time, place, atmosphere).

4. Images and Symbols

What images are used in this work?
Are the images literal or figurative?
Are there repeated images? List them.
What symbols are used in this work?

5. Themes

Create a list of thematic connections that are addressed in the novel.

AP English Literature and Composition - Ms. Figueroa

BOOK: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007)

This novel is divided into parts. Hosseini’s brilliant choice to structure the novel this way will inform most of our discussions on this, his magnum opus—I hope you enjoy his prose and the enchanting tale he weaves. Your first quiz will be on Wednesday, August 21st.

During the summer, annotate while you read.

READING SCHEDULE:

Part 1 and 2; Classwork: Intro to the Q3; August 14, 2024
Part 3; Quiz on parts 1-3; August 21, 2024
Part 4; Final Quiz and Annotations due; August 28, 2024
Handwritten Major Works Data Sheet; Socratic Seminar; September 4, 2024

ANNOTATIONS INSTRUCTIONS:

Must have 2 per page.
Annotations do not include highlighting, underlining, or circling of words—it exclusively refers to analytical observations. You will annotate for the following:

Literary devices and elements.
Plot elements or any major event that advances the plot.
Setting, characterization, narrative perspective.
Structure of the novel.
Track themes as they appear.
Look for symbols and reoccurring symbols (motifs).
Consider the impact of the opening scene and closing scene.
Analyze the author’s stye. Consider the sentence structure and length. Are sentences short, choppy, and swift or are they extravagant and ornate?

Your annotations can be short, they do not have to be full sentences.

For incoming AP Pre-Calculus Students:

Below you will find directions on accessing the optional summer math assignment. This assignment is designed to help students keep their skills sharp, or to help those students who are unsure about Pre-Calculus make sure their algebra skills are up to par with expectations. It is completely optional and will in no way affect your grade if you choose not to complete it, however it is highly recommended and strongly encouraged.

Directions for accessing the OPTIONAL Practice for Pre-Calculus Delta Math

If you ALREADY have a Delta Math account:

1. Log in to your existing account.

2. Click on “Tools” and then “Manage Login and Teachers”

3. On the next screen, select “Add Teacher”

4. Enter the Teacher Code: 739909 and select the class “Optional Practice for Pre-Calculus”.

*Note: It will list the teacher as Poskevich, but you may have a different Pre-Calculus teacher when you get your schedule. That is not a problem as your actual teacher will have access to this information.

5. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignment. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way 😊

If you do NOT have a Delta Math account:

1. Go to www.deltamath.com and click on “Create Account” and then select “Student”

2. In the pop-up window, enter the Teacher Code: 739909

3. Select the class “Optional Practice for Pre-Calculus”

4. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignment. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way 😊

For incoming AP Calculus AB Students:

Below you will find directions on accessing the optional summer math assignment. This assignment is designed to help students keep their skills sharp, or to help those students who are unsure if their prerequisite skills are up to par with expectations. It is completely optional and will in no way affect your grade if you choose not to complete it, however it is highly recommended and strongly encouraged.

Directions for accessing the OPTIONAL Practice for AP Calculus AB Delta Math