2013

Summer Assignment Program

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Introduction to Summer Assignments Grades 6-12

The titles on the following pages have been selected as required summer assignments in the designated courses. The selections were made based on the curriculum for these courses. Some reading assignments present mature subject matter and have been so identified in the annotation. Parents are encouraged to read these selections along with their child or prior to their child's reading the book. Parents who have any questions or concerns about summer assignments should contact one of the administrators listed below. For reading assignments, students may choose to borrow the books at the public library or to purchase the books for themselves. If students are unable to locate the required books, they should call the principal who will assist them in acquiring them. When students return to school in September, they will be asked to participate in activities based on the summer reading. One of the most important goals of the summer assignment program is to engage students in activities that will prepare them for upcoming curriculum in the new school year. To this end, students should complete the assignments carefully and reflect on what they are doing so that they are well positioned to reap the most benefit from their educational program. Dr. Nancy A. Gigante, Director of Curriculum & Instruction Mr. Juan Cruz, Supervisor of Social Studies/ World Languages Ms. Barbara Sidote, Supervisor of Language Arts Ms. Cathy Jo Speidel, Coordinator of Science Instruction ngigante@pthsd.k12.nj.us 973-263-7180 x7340 jcruz@pthsd.k12.nj.us 973-263-7180 x7172 bsidote@pthsd.k12.nj.us 973-263-7180 x7194 cspeidel@pthsd.k12.nj.us 973-263-7180 x7247

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 6
Advanced Language Arts
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. Random House, Dell Yearling, 2002. ISBN# 0-385-32655-6 This adolescent novel explores the life of a troubled twelve year-old girl, Hollis Woods, who is abandoned at birth. Hollis is placed in many foster homes over the years, and often engages in truant behavior. Throughout the text Hollis longs for a sense of belonging; she expresses her feelings, desires, and observations of the world through her drawings. During many instances in the novel, Hollis reflects on her past experiences with the Regans, a doting foster family that tries to adopt her during the pleasant stay she has with them. The book addresses subjects, such as abandonment, foster care, and aging in a sensitive manner. The summer reading and extension activities integrate exercises that develop students' understanding of the author's use of flashback, foreshadowing, and figurative language.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 7
Advanced Language Arts
Yolen, Jane. The Devils Arithmetic . Penguin Group, 1988. ISBN #0-14-034535-3 As her family observes Passover, thirteen-year old Hannah Stern is bored and impatient. She pays little attention to the stories of survival of Nazi concentration camps during The Holocaust described by her relatives who lived through it. She wishes she were anywhere but the dining room table during the Seder feast. Hannah gets her wish as she is suddenly and inexplicably transported from the safety and comfort of her teenage life back to a time when Jews were targeted for imprisonment and elimination. As Hannah experiences firsthand the horrors of the camps, she comes to cherish her family, her heritage, and her freedom. The Devils Arithmetic, a book of historical fiction, introduces readers to history, tradition, perseverance, and friendship. Students will participate in instructional activities that direct them to apply active reading strategies (questioning, visualizing, predicting, and connecting). Students will study various literary techniques such as point of view and character development.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 7
Social Studies Introduction To American Studies Advanced
Brooklawn Middle School Curtis, Christopher Paul. The Watsons Go to Birmingham. Doubleday Dell Books, 1996. ISBN# 0-440-41412-1 Eleven year-old Kenny Watson is the narrator of this story about an AfricanAmerican family living in Michigan in 1963. The content of this book is taken from the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The story describes the family's reaction to living in a society where the role of African-Americans is constantly changing. The book also describes the stark differences in civil rights between the North and South in the United States at the time. The story follows the experiences of the Watson family as the family travels to Birmingham from Michigan in 1963. The historical content of this book serves as a "jumping off" point for students to learn about civil rights, discrimination, segregation, and racism in the United States, significant themes included in the Grade 7 Social Studies curriculum.

Central Middle School

Paulsen, Gary. Sarny. Delacourt Press, 1997. ISBN# 0-385-32195-3 Sarny tells the fictional story of the narrator's life, a woman who began her life as a slave and lived well into her 90's into the 20th century. The story continues to follow the life of her character as introduced in the book Nightjohn, written by the same author. Her story begins with her life as a slave during the Civil War, and follows her experiences during Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era. It addresses the issues she had to face as she lived her life, married, raised her children, and struggled against prejudice and discrimination throughout her lifetime. This book helps students make the transition in the curriculum from the Reconstruction Era into the 20th century as it includes topics such as the role of women in American society, Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and civil rights.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 8
Language Arts Pre-Honors
(Students will be required to read one of the following titles) Larson, Kirby. Hattie Big Sky. Delacorte Press, 2006. ISBN# 978-0-440-23941-3 Hattie Big Sky is the story of 16 year old Hattie Brooks. Orphaned at a young age, Hattie inherits a parcel of land in Montana from an uncle she has never met. Hatties adventures begin in the winter of 1917 as she boards a train to Montana. Characters include her friend Charlie, who is fighting in France in World War I and a circle of people she meets in her new home. The novel describes Hatties struggles as she learns what it takes to be a homesteader in the beautiful and daunting landscape of Montana. The novel supports the study of theme, plot, characterization, figurative language, and interdisciplinary connections with social studies. Crichton, Michael. Jurassic Park. Ballantine Books, 1991. ISBN# 0-345-37077-5 The novel deals with ethical issues related to bioengineering in a mature fashion. In this science fiction story, scientists discover a way to clone dinosaurs by extracting DNA from fossilized amber. A theme park is created where visitors can observe dinosaurs, but safety systems fail, dinosaurs escape from the enclosures, and the first visitors to the island are hunted down. Thematic connections are made with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which is part of the curriculum. Taylor, Mildred D. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Penguin Group, 1976. ISBN# 0-140-38451-0 This novel depicts a realistic presentation of an African American family and their struggles to hold onto their land and to endure southern racism during the Depression in rural Mississippi. The universal theme of pride and dignity, despite the cruelty of prejudice, is linked with other literature, particularly The Diary of Anne Frank and the Holocaust. The experience described by Taylor can also be compared to Richard Wright's Black Boy. In addition, many parallels can be drawn between the struggles of the protagonist in this novel and Out of the Dust, such as survival during the depression, overcoming pride, and the importance of family unity.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 8
Language Arts Pre-Honors (continued)
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Signet Classics, 1997. ISBN# 1-593-08068-9 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Twain's classical tale of boyhood adventure. Lively, free-spirited characters and unforgettable incidents such as whitewashing a fence, swearing an oath in blood, getting lost in a cave, and heroically coming to the rescue of your one true love make this an endearing tale. Twain explores the contrast between the innocence and rebelliousness of childhood. Students have the opportunity to experience an American classic which portrays relevant young adult themes studied in Language Arts class. The novel will be used to study important literary elements such as characterization, setting, plot structure, climax, and theme. The universality of the coming of age theme will also be explored.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 8
Social Studies Pre-Honors

Cushman, Karen. Catherine, Called Birdy. Turtleback, 1995. ISBN# 0-785-76149-7 Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman is a vivid firsthand account of everyday life on a medieval English manor during the 13th century. Through her diary entries, the fourteen-year-old Catherine describes the importance of family, religion, health, entertainment, and marriage during the Middle Ages. As Catherine attempts to avoid a string of unwanted suitors, she presents us with a rich history of European feudalism and all its societal trappings. Catherine, Called Birdy provides an in depth look at medieval feudal society and compliments our secondary text and resources. Catherines commentary constitutes an age appropriate perspective for Middle School students on a plethora of subjects concerning the Middle Ages. The overarching plot of arranged social marriage gives students an accurate depiction of gender roles and inequalities during this time period while the ongoing activities of the English manor house brilliantly showcase the effusiveness of Europes cultural history.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grades 9-12
Science Students will participate in instructional activities that give them the opportunity to practice and enhance their skills in scientific reading, critical thinking & analytical reasoning. These activities will also offer the opportunity to develop their ability to apply their scientific knowledge and skills to new situations. Science Summer assignments are currently only for high school students taking either Honors or Advanced Placement courses. Specific instructions for each course can be located by clicking on the link below for the high school where the instruction will occur. Once on the school website, click on the name(s) of courses being taken to receive details of the assignment.

For Parsippany High School (PHS) Science courses: Parsippany High School Summer Assignments

For Parsippany Hills High School (PHHS) Science courses: Parsippany Hills High School Science Summer Assignments

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 9
Language Arts and Social Studies (including Honors English I, English 1 Replacement and Honors World History)
PHS and PHHS (Students will be required to read one of the following titles.) (PHS English 1 Replacement Students will read only Monster) Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. Harper Tempest, 1999. ISBN# 0-064-40731-4 Sixteen year-old Steve Harmon is on trial for his participation in a convenience store robbery that results in the owner's death. Using a combination of personal journal entries and a movie screenplay, Meyers conveys Harmon's struggle between his wavering conscience and his role in that night's events. By hearing the sounds of prison life, seeing the evidence presented in the trial, and feeling the fear and confusion in the heart of the teenage boy, the reader becomes a member of the jury. Is Steve Harmon guilty or innocent? This book presents the opportunity for team-building to foster character development for students on the Grade 9 teams. Myers, Walter Dean. Slam! Scholastic, 1996. ISBN# 0-590-48668-3

Greg Slam Harris is an ace on the basketbal l court with dreams of playing in the NBA. The problem Slam has is that he cant seem to figure out how to transfer that level of competence on the court to the other areas of his life including school and relationships. Slam is quick to fly off the handle at his teachers and his coach, jeopardizing his future and his standing on the basketball court. He experiences difficulties in his relationship with his girlfriend Mtisha, and his best friend, Ice, who has gotten himself into trouble. With some advice and guidance from the team's assistant coach, perhaps Slam will become a winner in all areas of his life. This book presents the opportunity for team-building and character
education for students on the Grade 9 teams. Woodson, Jacqueline. If You Come Softly. Penguin, 1998. ISBN# 0-698-11862-6

Two teenagers bump into each other in their unfamiliar, new high school. Both Ellie and Jeremiah dream about seeing each other again, and by chance, Jeremiah is transferred into one of Ellies class es. While their love continues to grow, this interracial couples relationship later faces opposition from family, society, and friends. Will they ever be accepted?
This book presents the opportunity for team-building and character education for students on the Grade 9 teams.

Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 9
World History Honors PHS
Willis, Connie. Doomsday Book. Bantam Books, 1992. ISBN# 0-553-56273-8 Doomsday Book is both a historical and a futuristic novel. This winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards relates the story of 21 st century scientists who experiment with time travel. In their attempts to send Kivrin, a young woman, back to the 1300's, they make minor mistakes that may have major consequences. The novel paints a vivid picture of the historical era and the devastating effects of the plague during the Middle Ages in Europe. The novel supports the Honors World History curriculum, which includes a unit on the Middle Ages in Europe. PHHS Crichton, Michael. Timeline. Knopf/Ballantine Books, 1999. ISBN# 0-345-41762-3 Timeline deals with time travel coupled with the study of the Middle Ages in Europe, an introductory unit in Grade 9 Honors World History. In a series of seemingly unrelated events, historians and archeologists who are excavating a medieval city in France find a note dated 4/7/1357 that was written by one of the current members of their team. What unfolds is a suspenseful journey taken by these historians back to the Middle Ages to help one of their own. The historians discover that the stories about the Middle Ages are in fact true and the horrors become more real as they try to uncover a secret and return back to their present day lives. Their biggest obstacles are a renegade knight who will not let them go that easily, and a return deadline to meet. The book presents a vivid picture of life in Europe during the Middle Ages.

English I Honors
PHS and PHHS Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Warner Books, 1960. ISBN# 0-446-31078-6 This novel takes readers through the trial of a young man wrongfully accused of a crime. His lawyer, the protagonist's father, defies societal norms by defending him. Through Scout's eyes, readers experience the complexity of family and societal issues while learning life-long lessons. This novel introduces themes studied throughout the course of the year. It also exposes students to plot, subplots, and character development.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 10
United States History I
PHS Students are required to read 1776 PHHS Students are required to read one of the following: McCullough, David. 1776. Simon & Schuster, 2005. ISBN# 0-7432-2671-2 The story chronicles the events that occurred during the year of 1776. The text begins with the colonies in rebellion over the laws imposed by Britain. McCullough engages the reader in the intense drama of the war; he describes the incredible variety of Americans who fought in the war, what they endured and how they gave everything of themselves for a cause. As the military pressure increases for the colonials, the story explains in explicit detail how the political ties are severed with Britain in the writing and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A major focus in the story is the unswerving devotion of these troops to their leader George Washington. Each battle of 1776 is recounted through the actual words of these citizen soldiers as read from their diaries or personal letter. Hence, the reader is drawn into the crucial events and feels very much a part of the Continental armys pain and loss. Students study the events that lead up to the American Revolution and the key battles of the war. The importance of George Washington is significant to the study of US I as a key figure in the Continental Congress, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the creation of the Constitution. The development of the new country is largely forme d by the precedents set by Washingtons leadership as the founding father and first president of our nation. Monk, Linda. The Words We Live By. Stonesong Press Book, Hyperiod, 2003. ISBN# 0-7868-6720-5 This book provides a realistic interpretation of the constitution as it relates to everyday American life. The text explains each of the articles as well as the amendments. Informative background on each of the amendments provides a thorough understanding as to why and how changes have been made to the constitution. In addition, readers gain a deep appreciation for the complex yet democratic legal system. The text is an enjoyable read and provides rich illustrations with a clear format to use later as a reference. U.S I curriculum teaches a major unit on the constitution. Units following (New Nation, Civil War and Industrialism) focus on constitutional issues such as states rights, slavery and due process. In addition, the Bill of Rights and amendments are introduced in the constitution unit and studied with major themes later in the year. Study of the Civil War amendments provide the students with a clear understanding of why amendments are necessary as the resulting political factions and divisions.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 10
United States History I Pre-Advanced Placement
PHS Philbrick, Nathaniel. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. Penguin Books, 2006. ISBN # 978-0-14-311197-9 This book tells the story of the Pilgrims. It begins in England and Holland with their decision to settle in the New World. It describes the journey of the Mayflower and the troubles faced by the settlers as they faced an unknown future in New England. The first half of the book continues with an assessment of the tenuous relationship between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. The author analyzes the cross-cultural exchange and the need of each group for the other. Philbrick discusses how fear and distrust could lead to violence and how need and tentative alliances could lead to camaraderie. The second half of the book focuses on the second generation of Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Relationships changed as more white settlers poured into the New England region. The whites did not need the natives as desperately as they once did and the whites were now the more powerful group. This shift leads to more violence including the Pequot War and culminates in King Philips War. At this wars end , the Native American population of New England is virtually wiped out.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 10
United States History I Pre-Advanced Placement
PHHS

Philbrick, Nathaniel. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. Penguin Books, 2006. ISBN # 978-0-14-311197-9 This book tells the story of the Pilgrims. It begins in England and Holland with their decision to settle in the New World. It describes the journey of the Mayflower and the troubles faced by the settlers as they faced an unknown future in New England. The first half of the book continues with an assessment of the tenuous relationship between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. The author analyzes the cross-cultural exchange and the need of each group for the other. Philbrick discusses how fear and distrust could lead to violence and how need and tentative alliances could lead to camaraderie. The second half of the book focuses on the second generation of Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Relationships changed as more white settlers poured into the New England region. The whites did not need the natives as desperately as they once did and the whites were now the more powerful group. This shift leads to more violence including the Pequot War and culminates in King Philips War. At this wars end, the Native American population of New England is virtually wiped out.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 10
English II
PHS Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. Ballantine Books, 1974. ISBN# 0-345-34810-9 First published in 1974, Mr. Shaara's meticulously researched book describes the pivotal three-day Battle of Gettysburg, which became the turning point of the American Civil War. Not content to simply present cold history, the author takes the reader into the minds and hearts of the men who found themselves in the midst of cataclysmic events. Classroom activities based on this novel will address course proficiencies concerning point of view and approaches in writing as well as the preparation of a persuasive oral presentation.

English II Replacement
PHS Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. Vintage Books, 1984. ISBN# 0679734775 House on Mango Street is about a young Mexican-American girl, Esperanza Cordero, who grows up on the inner-city streets of Chicago. The book is written as a series of memories. Each chapter acts as a short story in the longer tale of Esperanzas journey into young adulthood. Esperanza learns more about herself and her society in each chapter. After reading this book, students will explore themes of prejudice nationalism, and cultural identity. PHHS (including English II Replacement) Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Dont Cry. Pocket Books Reprint, February 1995. In 1957, Melba Pattillo Beals entered Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas to start her junior year. It was the start of one of the most horrific and degrading years of her life. After the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. Board of Education, Beals and eight other African-Americans were the first students involved in the desegregation of American schools. While here, the Little Rock Nine were threatened, spat at, humiliated, and beat on; suffe ring through the inhumane treatment from fellow students, faculty, administrators, and parents. Warriors Dont Cry combines narrative with excerpts from Beals personal diaries and illustrates in a mature fashion the courage, perseverance and faith she had with the support of her family, especially her Grandmother. Having read Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl , The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Warriors Don't Cry, students will explore the themes of prejudice, national identity and friendship as depicted in these three texts. Reading and writing responses will focus on the author's point of view, the impact on the author of social and political structures of the time, and analyzing the author's awareness of audience with respect to his/her perspective on the development of a national identity.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 10
English II Honors
PHS and PHHS Potok, Chaim. The Chosen. Fawcett Books, 1967. ISBN# 0-449-21344-7 This best-selling 1967 novel by Rabbi Chaim Potok traces the friendship of two adolescent Jewish boys in 1940s Brooklyn. As one boy is Orthodox and the other Hasidic, an interesting conflict evolves between them concerning the meaning of life, suffering, and love. This conflict reaches a heart-wrenching climax as the details of the Holocaust are revealed to the world at the close of World War II. The English II Honors course of study requires students to experience and respond to the influences of various cultures on thought, language, and literature, and Potok's novel The Chosen lends itself to this endeavor. Classroom activities will build on English I Honors instruction on using textual evidence to support a position and identifying the elements of a novel including figurative language and sensory images. PHS Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Various editions. Fear of civil war in England prompted William Shakespeare to pen this classic examination of political assassination and the nature of leadership. Despite its age, however, this drama remains highly relevant. The complex issues raised in this play jealousy, revenge, persuasion, and political intrigue are as relevant in our contemporary world as they were in Elizabethan England. A careful reading of this work prompts one to examine the characteristics of a good leader and to question an individual citizens civil obligation to eradicate tyranny. The English II Honors course of study places great emphasis on close textual analysis, and Shakespeare's Julius Caesar provides an excellent opportunity to hone that skill. Students will also write an expository paper and craft a persuasive presentation, both of which are addressed in the curriculum. As part of the English I Honors curriculum, students read Othello and learned how to approach the language. Students who come into the Honors program from English I have had a similar experience with Romeo and Juliet.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 10
PHHS McBride, James. The Color of Water. Riverhead Books. 1997. ISBN# 1-573-22578-9 The Color of Water is a Black mans tribute to his White mother. This memoir is of McBrides childhood and the telling of his mothers story in her own words. McBrides novel is a meditation on race and identity. He has written a portrait of growing up using her narrative. The Color of Water provides an opportunity for students to analyze the nature of 20th century contemporary American literature. Students' previous study of To Kill a Mockingbird prepares them for the racial issues that are present in The Color of Water.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 11
U.S. History II
PHS & PHHS Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. Barnes and Noble Classics, 2003. ISBN# 1-593-08008-5 The Jungle is considered a classic example of muckraking in American literature. The novel is a primary source written by a significant "muckraker" at the turn of the last century in an attempt to expose the underside of the American dream. The novel follows the lives of the members of an immigrant family from Lithuania, as they seek to resettle in America by finding employment in the meatpacking industry in Chicago at the turn of the last century. The book was originally written in 1906 as an expos, and presents the filthy conditions in the meatpacking industry and the horrible conditions its workers faced on a daily basis. It addresses the muckraking movement and issues of discrimination and social justice that are addressed in the US History II curriculum.

United States History II Advanced Placement

PHS & PHHS Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. Barnes and Noble Classics, 2003. ISBN# 1-593-08008-5 The Jungle is considered a classic example of muckraking in American literature. The novel is a primary source written by a significant "muckraker" at the turn of the last century in an attempt to expose the underside of the American dream. The novel follows the lives of the members of an immigrant family from Lithuania, as they seek to resettle in America by finding employment in the meatpacking industry in Chicago at the turn of the last century. The book was originally written in 1906 as an expos, and presents the filthy conditions in the meatpacking industry and the horrible conditions its workers faced on a daily basis. It addresses the muckraking movement and issues of discrimination and social justice that are addressed in the US History II curriculum.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 11
Civics & Government
PHS and PHHS Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed. Holt Paperbacks, 2002. ISBN #0-805063897 In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich tells the story of her life over the course of several months as she willingly gave up her life as a well -to-do journalist and moved around the country looking for work as an unskilled, undereducated American. In three chapters, Ehrenreich identifies her struggles in three different states as she tries to get basic work, pass entry-level tests, and then survive on the pay given and the insurance covered by these jobs. Ehrenreich also writes about her co-workers and their struggles in this ground level examination of the life of the working poor in America today. A significant part of the Civics curriculum includes a study of the making and implementation of social policy on the federal and state levels. There is also a constitutional connection concerning the proper role of the federal government, the creation of a welfare state, and the benefits and detriments of a capitalist society. In her travels, Ehrenreich discusses health insurance plans offered by the companies that hire her as well as her attempts to get food while working at or near the federal poverty level. These events relate to our study of the creation of the federal poverty line, the formulas used in its development and its index to inflation. They also directly relate to state and federal programs available for low-income working class people, including Schip, WIC and food stamps.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 11
College English III
PHS and PHHS McCourt, Frank. Angelas Ashes: A Memoir. Touchstone, 1996. ISBN# 0-684-87217-X The story of the McCourts and their eldest son, Frank, pulls the reader into family, song, folly, passion, hilarity, and losses. This book provides a mature narrative of McCourt's experiences in an impoverished Irish family. In the British Literature course, stylistic devices are studied, and Angela's Ashes provides an excellent opportunity to view McCourt's writing for such devices used in memoirs.

English III Honors

PHS Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classic, 1950. ISBN# 0-451-52493-4 This classic novel is a nightmare story of totalitarianism and one man's hopeless struggle against it. Winston Smith, the main character, lives in a terrifying world in which Big Brother is always watching. After meeting a rebel, Julia, with whom he has an illegal affair, and joining a revolutionary group called The Brotherhood, Winston dedicates his life to destroying the government. Through the reading of this novel, students will be able to analyze theme, plot, stylistic devices, and characterization. The students will also be able to ascertain the characteristics of modern literature.

English III Honors

PHHS and PHS Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Everyman, 1991. ISBN# 0-460-87344-X Young Tess Durbeyfield discovers she is a descendant of the D'Urberville family and so her journey begins. Attempting to advance through the bonds of gender and social barricades, Tess endures many hardships that come with being a woman. Her relationships with men in the upper class reflect her doomed fate as she struggles to fit in. The complex story provides a unique female protagonist that students will be able to refer to throughout the year. The English III Honors course of study requires students to experience and respond to the influences of various cultures on thought, language, and literature, and Hardy's novel, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, lends itself to this endeavor.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

English III Honors

PHHS Shaw, George B. Pygmalion. Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004 ISBN# 978159308-0785 A chance encounter between a professor and a poor girl selling flowers begins a play that underscores the rigid boundaries of English class distinctions. Goaded by a colleague's taunt that he cannot transform the girl's speech and manners to fit in with society's upper crust, the professor undertakes the project. Based on a Greek legend, the play not only demonstrates the part that myths play in British literature, but also provides a scathing view of the rigidity of the Victorian class system. The English III Honors course of study requires students to experience and respond to the influences of various cultures on thought, language, and literature, and Shaw's play, Pygmalion, lends itself to this endeavor.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 12
European History Advanced Placement
PHS and PHHS Gaarder, Jostein. Sophies World. New York: Berkley Books, 1996. ISBN# 0-425-15225-1 Sophie's World creates a fictional world around a young woman who explores the "big questions" of life by analyzing the major works of Western philosophy. It reads like a mystery suspense novel as Sophie attempts to find out who her secret tutor is and how her learning is reflected in her life. The explanations of the philosophers' views are clear and illustrate for the reader why these perspectives are so important in Western thought. The philosophies presented in the book form the underpinnings of Western ideology, which is a key focus of the AP European History curriculum.

Civics & Government

PHS and PHHS Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed. Holt Paperbacks, 2002. ISBN #0-805063897 In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich tells the story of her life over the course of several months as she willingly gave up her life as a well -to-do journalist and moved around the country looking for work as an unskilled, undereducated American. In three chapters, Ehrenreich identifies her struggles in three different states as she tries to get basic work, pass entry-level tests, and then survive on the pay given and the insurance covered by these jobs. Ehrenreich also writes about her co-workers and their struggles in this ground level examination of the life of the working poor in America today. A significant part of the Civics curriculum includes a study of the making and implementation of social policy on the federal and state levels. There is also a constitutional connection concerning the proper role of the federal government, the creation of a welfare state, and the benefits and detriments of a capitalist society. In her travels, Ehrenreich discusses health insurance plans offered by the companies that hire her as well as her attempts to get food while working at or near the federal poverty level. These events relate to our study of the creation of the federal poverty line, the formulas used in its development and its index to inflation. They also directly relate to state and federal programs available for low-income working class people, including Schip, WIC and food stamps.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 12
Government & Politics Advanced Placement
PHS Phillips, Peter and Project Censored. Censored 2006. Seven Stories Press, 2005. ISBN: 1-583-22692-3 Censored 2006 is a collection of news stories that did not get coverage in the mainstream media. The book presents a discussion of the "Top 25" most important stories that failed to get covered by the mainstream media (including the sources where the information was found), followed by follow-up news stories on items covered by previous editions of the book. The book also offers commentary on the reasons certain stories are not covered and the damage done by such practices in a democratic society. Mature themes such as the war in Iraq are addressed, and students are presented with scenarios that require them to bring in alternative perspectives on the power of politics and government in a sophisticated manner. This is a critical skill needed to be successful in the AP Government and Politics curriculum. At PHS, this summer reading book also comes with an assignment. See the AP teacher for further information. PHHS Kovach, Bill and Rosenstiel, Tom. The Elements of Journalism. Three Rivers Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-307-34670-4 The Elements of Journalism delineates the core principles shared by journalists across media, even across cultures. These principles flow from the essential function news plays in peoples lives. This n ew edition, published April 2007, is completely updated and revised and includes a new 10th principlethe rights and responsibilities of citizensflowing from new power conveyed by technology to the citizen as a consumer and editor of their own news and information. Media is one of the larger units in the AP Governments and Politics curriculum. The course analyzes the medias power, role, regulatory laws, ability to influence opinion, use by public officials, and purpose in an election period. This book will also assist the students in interpreting various sources of journalism, their objectives, and the tools they use to reach their goals.

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Summer Assignments 2013

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools

Grade 12
College English IV
PHS and PHHS Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. Harper Collins, 1998. ISBN# 978-0-06083483-8 The Alchemist is an allegory that tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd who, after dreaming of treasure within the pyramids of Egypt, embarks on a quest to fulfill the outcome of his dream. Santiago encounters several road bumps along the way and must use his intuition and connections with those he meets to find a way to fulfill his Personal Legend. The story is simple but thought-provoking, filled with metaphors and symbolism. This allegory integrates many diverse philosophies and ideas from a myriad of faiths and historical periods; many of these ideas concern the pursuit of truth, ones intended destiny and the attainment of happiness. The study of the novel supports the College English 4 unit study of the quest archetype. Students will make connections between Santiagos journey and those of Gilgamesh and Siddhartha in the required readings.

English IV - Advanced Placement

PHS and PHHS Camus, Albert. The Stranger. New York: Vintage Books, 1989. Depicting the authors sense of lifes absurdity, the main character, Meursault, murders an Arab stranger during a day at the beach. The Advanced Placement course of study requires students to demonstrate skills in advanced forms of written discourse, and the study of this novel affords them the opportunity to apply skills assessed on the written component of the Advanced Placement exam. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Constance Garnett, translator. Bantam Classics Reissue edition (July 1, 1984). Raskolnikov, a student in St. Petersburg, plans what he thinks to be the perfect crime. The murder of a morally despicable old woman seems to him to be a justifiable crime because he interprets her death to be beneficial to the society in which they exist. The 19th Century novel is a study of human psychology, murder, morality and human relationships. Crime and Punishment reinforces the courses emphasis on relating a given work to its historical time period as well as to the theme of Consequence of Choice studied during the year.

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