English IV AP & AP/D2 julie.davern@nisd.net

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Summer Reading 2017-2018

I. Read Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor, the revised edition (ISBN: 978-0-06-230167-3).

With How to Read Literature Like a Professor, you will learn to think critically, to look at what you read—differently.

You will learn to think beyond the plot of a novel. You should take notes over each section of HTRLLAP in the same

notebook as the mythology notes. For each chapter, provide a 5-7 sentence summary of Foster’s key points. I expect

these to be written in complete sentences and for you to carefully read and condense the key ideas of each chapter.

Note titles Foster uses.

Take your notes WHILE you are reading.

You should read and complete the assignment for this text FIRST. The information you take from this text is more

general than mythology; therefore, it’s easier to recall. You could, if you choose, begin this text in June. You will need,

however, to recall specific detail from the Hamilton text.

You will take these handwritten notes—see “Taking Notes” HO—in a 100 sheet (200 pages), stitched composition

book (not a spiral or loose-leaf paper). You will need to number your pages in the top, outside corners of each page,

front and back (you should have 200 pages total). Begin taking notes on page 5 of this notebook (so, “Chapter 1:

Every Trip is a Quest” notes appear on page 5). All notes will be collected for a grade on the second day of school.

(FYI, the first 4 pages will be your table of contents; instructions are on pages 2-3.) You will be graded on the

completion, thoroughness, and quality of your notes. You will begin your mythology notes after your notes on

Foster. See separate handout (orange) for taking notes on Foster and mythology.

II. Read Edith Hamilton's Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (ISBN-13: 9780316223331). (You should

start this text no earlier than the beginning of August.)

The overall purpose of reading this text is to help you become familiar with the collection of myths that form the

core of what is considered Western mythology, that is, the myths produced by western cultures (Greek and Roman).

These myths have long been part of our literary culture and are important to recognize. Let the following ideas

guide your reading:

• These myths reveal the worldviews of the cultures that produced them and are, therefore, central in helping us understand those cultures and, in turn, give us insight into our own.

• The writers in western societies have made -- and continue to make -- countless references to these myths, assuming that readers are familiar with the original stories.

• Being familiar with the myths is an integral part of being "culturally literate.”

• Being culturally literate about Western culture allows you to investigate other cultures’ values and worldviews with more understanding.

Reading Expectations and Guidelines

Hamilton’s Mythology is a readable, understandable, and comprehensive text and a necessity for all AP Literature and Composition students. The stories themselves are indeed "timeless" in the sense that they often reveal universal truths about human nature even for the most contemporary reader. Nevertheless, the book does include very detailed information. Therefore, let me give you some direction:

1) Read to become familiar with the plots of the myths. Read to discover what happens in the stories. Read to enjoy

these stories. Read each of the following chapters in their entirety, unless otherwise instructed:

Due: Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017

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Introduction

• Part 1: The Gods, the Creation, and the Earliest Heroes

• Part 2: Stories of Love and Adventure

• Part 3: The Great Heroes before the Trojan War

• Part 4: The Heroes of the Trojan War

• Part 5: The Great Families of Mythology

• Part 6: The Less Important Myths

2) As you read each chapter, try to become familiar with the names of the important characters, creatures, and places in order to be able to identify them with at least a few essentials. Also, you will learn more about major gods in later chapters, so leave some room or develop some kind of coding system. You should know

• their Greek and Roman names (Zeus/Jupiter)

• any symbols associated with them (aegis, thunder, eagle, oak and bull, colors)

• of what they are the god (the sky, the god of all gods, hearth)

• relationships to other gods, to humans; how did they participate in the war

• any stories that are associated with each god.

These notes will be in the SAME notebook as the Foster notes. See “Taking Notes for Summer Reading”

handout—orange.

3) In the first two weeks of school, be prepared to take TWO mythology tests. This is not as easy as it may seem because in mythology, LOGIC is DEAD; therefore, some things don’t make sense (same story, different names; same name, different stories). Be prepared to show that you know which characters did what, who’s related to whom, the stories of creation, anything and everything. Read carefully and thoroughly. This is a massive amount of information.

We will spend much of the first six weeks working with these two texts, and we’ll continue to refer to them

throughout the year. Therefore, failure to read them will be devastating. You will take exams, write essays, and

create projects over these selections (assignments are subject to change). Do yourself a favor; be prepared. I

would strongly advise you NOT to wait until prep days to begin. I expect you to know and retain (not memorize)

the information. Be prepared for many types of assessments during the first six weeks. You are to work

independently: this is NOT a collaborative assignment.

If you have questions as you complete the assignment, email me at Julie.Davern@nisd.net so I can give you guidance. Additional resources will also be posted online to help you with your summer work. Go to the CAHS website (http://www.nisd.net/cahs) and click on the link for SUMMER READING. Join Remind and Google Classroom to get updates and clarifications.

Before the end of this school year, read through all instructions and see me if you have questions.

Enjoy your summer. Enjoy the works. I look forward to seeing you next year.

NOTE: Respect your deadlines. Take notes while you read. If you effectively take notes, you will use at least half of your composition notebook. If you fail to come prepared with your work finished, you will, most likely fail the first six weeks and be behind the rest of the semester. New readings will be assigned in the first six weeks.

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TABLE of CONTENTS for summer notes—Number each page of your composition book.

Setting up your table of contents (TOC): fold pages 1-4 in half—that’s the first two sheets of paper. Number pages 1-25 on the left side of page 1 and 25-50 on right side of page 1. You will follow the same format over the next 3 pages, using continuous page numbers until you have 1-200. As you take notes, fill in your table of contents; it will be easier for you to find information later. The following is an example for formatting your TOC:

Table of Contents

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1. TOC Is He Serious 26.

2. Mythology: How gods came to be 27.

3. Zeus 28.

4. 29.

5. Quests Hera 30.

6. Communion Poseidon 31.

7. Vampires Hades 32.

Supplies:

• 2—100 sheet (200 page) composition notebook, stitched. Be sure they do NOT have perforated pages. Invest in at least one quality notebook (they may be $1 more)—but not a hard-backed notebook; the pages detach from the binding. Double check that each notebook has 100 sheets of paper, not 80 or 75. Also, double check it’s not a primary or graph notebook. Wide ruled/college ruled is irrelevant; although, you may fit more notes on a college ruled comp. book. One of these comp. books will be used for your summer reading. The other will be used in class.

• blue/black pens, highlighters (several colors), a pencil (for mc and zipgrades only)

• 1—very LARGE glue stick (.88oz/25g). Elmer’s is recommended as it adheres and lasts longer. If you get a traditional sized glue stick (.7g), get several, like 3-4).

• 1 package of 5 X 8 lined note cards. These are VERY big cards, about the size of a half sheet of paper. You can usually find them at Walmart, Amazon, Costco (bulk), or an office supply store. White or colored acceptable. Be sure they are LINED. I have supplied you with a sample.

• 3 X 5 lined sticky notes (or 4 X 4 will work). Lighter colors are easier to read.

• something to keep handouts and papers in—folder or binder

• a planner

• small flash drive recommended—you want to save your work everywhere: home, Google Drive, flash.

red margin

line

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We do not have copies of all the books we read during the year. You can order books through Amazon at good cost. We will practice and apply annotation skills, so having your own copy of a text is beneficial. Novels we will definitely read this year:

• The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald

• Jane Eyre, Brontë

All other titles are subject to change. We do several choice novels during the year: two from contemporary texts and one from 19th century texts. For these assignments, I will provide you with a list from which to choose. I will do my best to give you plenty of time to order other titles. During the summer, I may send a list of short story collections for you to choose from to start the school year. We will also read Heart of Darkness, several short stories, and a plethora of poetry. I hope you enjoy reading.

Please bring materials on the first day of school.

Join Remind—class code: @davern2018

Join Google Classroom—class code: zhchn7 Senior year is intense. You have more AP classes, more homework, higher expectations. You will seek and apply to colleges. You will find and meet with mentors. You decide how you want your year to be: smooth—time managing, meeting deadlines, working ahead; or rough—always behind, late points, poor test grades. Assignments start to snowball when you don’t stay on top of your work. Therefore, complete this summer assignment in the SUMMER.

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Taking Notes for English IV AP Summer Reading.

You will take your notes in one brand new, 100 sheet (200 pages) composition notebook. Not all notebooks are alike. You want one that is stitched, not perforated. Be sure it has quality binding and cover. Make sure the notebook is not a graphing or primary notebook. Wide ruled or college ruled accepted. You are to only use BLUE or BLACK ink to take your notes—NO PENCIL. Keep your margins clean (don’t write in them). Highlight the characters discussed on the page. Feel free to write and/or underline in your copy of the book—pencil is okay in this respect. Learning to annotate is a skill we will work on in class. If you underline in your text, you should also write notes about why you felt it was important.

Know that I am aware of what is on the internet. Whatever you can find, I have probably found myself. This information might be helpful in a pinch, but it will not help you in the long run. We will use this material all year. In addition, you are not doing yourself any favors by copying work from your peers. You need to read and take your own notes.

One key to being successful is being organized. I’m going to give you guidelines for taking notes for each book. You

should begin with Foster’s text first; take notes while reading. Finish Foster and then start your notes on mythology. Please respect your margins—that means leave them blank. White space.

Notes on How to Read Literature Like a Professor, revised ed.

You will read all of this text. Technically it falls under the genre of literary criticism, without emphasis on specific schools of thought. This text will help you see how you will be expected to read literature during your senior year and give you ammunition to use in your writing. You will begin with the “Introduction”—no notes required. Chapter 1 notes will begin on page 5.

Once you start reading the individual chapters, you will take notes in your handbook. You need a 5-7 sentence summary of the chapter. However, you can take further notes if you choose. Include, at the bottom of the page, some titles he uses. See page 8 for examples.

I want you to start each new chapter on a new page. If your notes for any chapter take more than one page in your

comp. book, you will still start the next chapter on a clean page. Title each page.

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Chapter 2

Nice to EAT with you: Acts of COMMUNION

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Chapter 3

Nice to EAT you: Acts of VAMPIRES

You will begin your sentence summaries here, or Start new notes/ summaries here.

if you wish to take notes first, your summaries can

go at the end.

See sample pages.

You will need to read the “Interludes”, the “Test Case,” and the “Postlude,” but you do not need to take notes on these chapters.

page #

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Notes on Mythology

Sins and values of Greek society (you will need to know these when we return to school)

VALUES

hospitality loyalty revenge family relations fame and glory boasting gift giving reverence to the gods beauty

SINS

disrespect of the dead (burial) disrespecting the gods murder (blood guilt) abuse of parents hubris

cannibalism not avenging your father’s murder disrespecting the guest/host relationship

CHAPTERS 1&2

In chapter 1 and 2, you will take notes on the Greek gods. You need to know their Roman name; their symbols; their connection, usually, to nature (of what are they the god?); their stories and adventures. You will want to be able to cross-reference where necessary. For the major gods—the Olympians—listed below, put each god on his/her own page. Should your notes on an Olympian not take the complete page, leave the extra space (except Ares and Hephaestus—they can be done on the same page) so you have room to cross reference as you continue to read. If your notes on a god carry over to a second page, you will still put the next Olympian on a clean page.

Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus,

Demeter (ch. 2), Dionysus (ch. 2)

For the other, “lesser,” gods/goddesses mentioned in chapter 1, you can do up to 3 to 4 gods on a page; have at least one blank line between each. Same rules apply as those up above regarding content. Pay attention to the headings Hamilton provides (i.e. “Gods of the Waters,” “Gods of the Earth,” etc.) and use them in your notes.

You need to know how the gods came to be: Heaven and Earth, the Titans (who are they; to what are they connected), The Olympians.

In this section you will also encounter places, rivers, etc. (Olympus, the Underworld). If you want, for organization sake, do these on the pages right after the Olympians so they will all be together.

CHAPTER 3

Take notes on the different creation stories: the world, monsters, Titans, gods, and mankind. Format is up to you, but it should be thorough and include specifics. There are essentially 3 different types of stories for the creation of mankind. But, some stories have imbedded stories. Don’t forget the women. I should be able to easily see your different sections: ①. Prometheus and Epimetheus; ② Five ages of man; ③ The Great flood.

CHAPTER 4

Take notes on each of the early heroes; no more than two stories to a page. There are 6 stories. Some will require their own page. Prometheus and Io, Europa, Polyphemus, & the 3 flower myths. Cross-reference with the Olympians

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CHAPTERS 5 & 6

You will take notes on each core myth (love stories), each myth should be on a separate page—9 total. Some stories, like Cupid and Psyche, will take more than a page to capture the details of Psyche’s tasks. Also, think what the reader is supposed to learn from each story: what values and sins are reflected in the stories. Notes are above.

CHAPTERS 7 & 8

Read and take notes on each of the great adventures (5). No more than 2 to a page. Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece should take several pages—it’s an entire chapter in your book. Make sure to keep track of other characters and settings. What is the resolution? What sins and values are present? Who’s the villain? What makes a hero?

CHAPTERS 9, 10, 11, 12

Read and take notes on each of the four great heroes before the Trojan War: Perseus, Theseus, Hercules, and Atalanta. Start each new hero on a new page. Write names, locations, sins, and values. What made them heroic? Did they have flaws? What is their story? Are the gods involved? Cross-reference.

CHAPTERS 13, 14, 15, 16

WAR. Read each section carefully. Record who, what, when, where, why, & how. Who killed who? How did they kill them? Where are the women? Which gods supported the Greeks, the Romans? How did the gods help (intervene, if they did)? Know your war. What starts the war? Why does it continue? When does it end? In which classical texts do we learn about these epics? (Any reference to the gods should be cross-referenced on their pages.) Clearly organize by Prologue, the Trojan War, the Fall of Troy, Odysseus, and Aeneas. Be specific. There’s a whole test just on war.

CHAPTER 17 & 18

The houses of Atreus and Thebes. You should move to a clean page when you switch houses. Have breaks within your discussion of the houses. Who are these families: names, stories, etc.? Why/how are they cursed? Cross reference when necessary. You do not need to read chapter 19—it’s not as important as the others.

CHAPTER 20 & 21

You do not need to take notes on all of the characters in these chapters. You must include those listed below. You can do two-to-three stories to a page.

Midas, Danaids, Glaucus and Scylla, the Amazons, Arachne, Chiron, Dryope, Leto, the Myrmidons, Orion,

Pleiades, Sisyphus.

You do not need to read the stories not listed; although, you can if you wish. Nor do you need to read the Norse mythology section—that’s up to you.

How to be successful and start the year of with less stress:

• Follow directions.

• Meet your deadlines.

• Follow directions.

• Come prepared to learn.

Don’t start the year like others have before—or how you might have before. Senior year STARTS day 2 in almost every class. You don’t want to start already behind.

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