Honors
Summer Reading & Research Requirements
I. Upcoming 10th
Grade Honors Participants
Writing Theory
Component: Select a writing book that will form the basis of weekly
discussions in your Honors Seminar. You will summarize a chapter each week and
present its content to your colleagues, responding to any question they may
pose.
Research Component:
An MLA formatted Preliminary Research Bibliography is due within the first week
of the new school year. The Bibliography with at least 5 sources will form the
basis of our first Forum Research Paper.
Reading Component:
- Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low
Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris
- The
Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Individual Honors
Education Plan: Early each year, with
the guidance of Honors Advisors, Honor students will complete a reading plan
for the school year, based upon student interest and the concentration of their
English course (World, British, or American Literature). Advisors will provide
accountability for the plan that will include yearly and marking period reading
and writing goals. Each novel or major work will be assessed through journaling
and completion of critical analysis writing assignments. This plan will be in
addition to selections covered in their English course. The aim is to challenge
the Honors students at a level considerably above their peers.
II. Upcoming 11th
and 12th Grade Honors Participants
Reading Component:
- Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low
Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris
- The
Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
- The
Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
- One or more of the following optional readings:
o The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas
Hardy
o Cry, The Beloved Country – Alan Paton
o Around the World in 80 Days – Jules
Verne
o Animal Farm - George Orwell
o Macbeth by William Shakespeare
o The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
o The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis
Writing Theory
Component: Select a writing book that will form the basis of weekly
discussions in Honors Seminar. You will summarize a chapter each week and
present its content to your colleagues, responding to any question they may
pose.
Research Component:
An MLA formatted Preliminary Research Bibliography is due within the first week
of the new school year. The Bibliography with at least 5 sources will form the
basis of our first Forum Research Paper.
Individual Honors
Education Plan: Early each year, with
the guidance of Honors Advisors, Honor students will complete a reading plan
for the school year, based upon student interest and the concentration of their
English course (World, British, or American Literature). Advisors will provide
accountability for the plan that will include yearly and marking period reading
and writing goals. Each novel or major work will be assessed through journaling
and completion of critical analysis writing assignments. This plan will be in
addition to selections covered in their English course. The aim is to challenge
the Honors students at a level considerably above their peers. Seniors will
coordinate this plan as a tool to complete their Senior Project.
III. Senior Honors Projects
In the second semester of their Junior
Year, returning Honors students will be encouraged to propose a plan for the
Seniors Honors Project. For the 2008-09 year, seniors may propose a project
during the Honors Education Plan goal-setting meeting with their Honors
Advisor(s).
This project will be held to the following criteria:
- Projects must be of high quality
- Projects must reflect the methodological, theoretical,
and substantive expectations for the Honors Program Objectives
- Projects must be two semesters in length
- Projects may begin second semester of the junior
year
- Projects must be approved by the Honors
Advisor(s) and/or faculty supervisor during the semester preceding the start of
the project
- Projects must culminate with some type of public
dissemination, such as a presentation, demonstration, or performance in a
forum.