Department Chair Peggy Omohundro (936) 273-4837 (832) 482-6214
****************************************************************************************************
How to Read Summer Reading
Your English teachers at TWHS will be emphasizing skills you will need in order to be successful on the TAKS test, the SAT and ACT, and any AP exams that you eventually take. The Woodlands High School operates on an accelerated block schedule. Therefore, the summer reading assignment must be another rather rigorous literary classic rather than a young adult type novel, which can be read simply for pleasure. We expect that in addition to the required reading, our students will also choose to read other selections that interest them.
The following general guidelines are given for students to follow:
* When it comes to the summer reading assignment, and all high school level reading assignments, read with purpose, not for pleasure. * Be sure to read actively by selectively highlighting and annotating as you read. * Always expect a quiz/test over assigned readings. Most often these assessments will occur prior to any classroom instruction - to ensure students have actively read on their own. Always expect tests to include a great deal of open-ended questions and essay writing.
High school tests do not typically come in a multiple-choice or "quick answer" format. Expect that written responses will count up to 50% of all grades, including test grades.
Every TWHS student has a reading assignment for the summer.
Students will be tested over this reading, without any classroom instruction prior to the test, within the first three days of school. (Some teachers choose to test on the first day of school.) This includes students who take their language arts course the second semester. The reading assignments are also posted above.
Read Critically!
Annotate and selectively highlight as you read these books for the following in order to be well prepared for the test:
* key plot elements * characterization/characters (motives, actions, conflicts, etc.)
Expect these types of questions on the test:
* character matching questions (matching quotes, actions, events, etc. with the character involved) * multiple-choice questions (mainly over plot elements/events/twists) * open-ended response questions (requiring a few sentences in response that include textual evidence to support the answer given) * written
response/essay questions (including such things as: quote explication - explaining who said it, to whom and why, etc.; thematic analysis - explaining how certain actions/quotes/passages reveal or support the theme)
Consider doing the following to help you prepare for the test:
* create a character chart in the front of your book where you name the character, paraphrase descriptions and actions, etc. and cite page numbers for quick reference * create a plot diagram or a plot shift list in the front of your book where you keep track of the sequence of major events, plot twists, etc. and cite page numbers for quick reference
CAUTION: Be very careful about reading the "cheat note" versions for any of your high school reading assignments. While these resources can be helpful in ensuring that you understand some of the more challenging elements in your assigned readings, they will not serve as a good substitute for reading the work yourself. Your teachers will have read all the possible "cheat note" type resources available to you, and will recognize when you are using ideas or analysis from those works rather than giving your own critical thinking response. Such use constitutes plagiarism, for which students will receive a zero as well as disciplinary consequences. |
Conroe ISD