ALGEBRA 1 (incoming 9th graders taking Algebra 1):
Complete this worksheet (Click To Download Worksheet) and bring it to the first day of school.
All Incoming 9th Graders:
Your summer reading assignment is Alice in Wonderland (see book list for link to buy). Read the novel carefully and be prepared to take a test on the first day of school. You do not need to read any Spark Notes or similar study aid.
10th Grade English Regular: Your summer reading assignment is King of the World: Muhammed Ali and the Rise of an American Hero (see book list for link to buy). Read the novel and be prepared to be assessed on the book on the first day of school. This should be a fun read and be prepared to discuss it when class begins.
10th Grade English Honors:
Your summer reading is to read Beowulf in the Burton Raffel translation (see book list for purchasing options). This is a difficult text, and I don’t expect you to follow it in all of its details, but the main adventures of Beowulf in Herot and Geatland should be straightforward. Be aware that there is a very helpful glossary at the back of the book that identifies characters and their relationships to each other.
You will be assessed on this book on the first day of school as well on the texts we read in freshman year and the literary terms you learned.
11th Grade AP English Language and Composition:
11th Grade English Regular: Your summer reading assignment is Slaughterhouse 5 (see book list for link to buy). Read the book and be prepared to be assessed on the book on the first day of school. This is an American classic and I look forward to discussing your experience with reading it when school begins.
12 Grade AP English Literature and Composition:
Your summer assignment will be to read Don Quixote (see book list for purchasing options). You do not have to write a paper over the course of the summer in conjunction with the book; however, you do need to review (not reread) the major texts we have read since ninth grade. In addition, review your notes on the elements of poetic and fictional analysis. What will be due on the first day is a draft of your college essay: using Mr. Rutschman’s helpful hints, respond to the Common Application. Click here for the College Essay tips.
There will be a multi-day test on Don Quixote, the previous years’ texts, and the literary terms of poetry and fiction.
If you are new to the AP course, you will want to catch up by reading those Valley Torah texts that are unfamiliar to you. Get the notes from your peers before you read them; then, study the notes well after reading the books.
In order to get students thinking about the college application process, the college counsellor, Mr. Rutschman, and the English Department would like students to return to school having completed one college essay, ideally in response to an application for a college that student will be considering. Click here for a document providing tips on how to approach the personal statement. EACH STUDENT MUST TURN IN A HARDCOPY OF HIS ESSAY ON DAY ONE OF NEXT YEAR, EVEN IF THAT STUDENT IS NOT CERTAIN HE WILL APPLY TO A COLLEGE THE FOLLOWING YEAR. This essay will factor into your first semester grades.
9TH GRADE HONORS HISTORY: Click Here for Summer Assignment
AP WORLD HISTORY: Click Here for Summer Assignment
AP US HISTORY: Click Here for Summer Assignment
AP US GOVERNMENT: Click Here for Summer Assignment
CHEMISTRY HONORS: Click Here for Summer Assignment