High School Reading & Social Studies
The Southington High School English Department encourages all students to read throughout the summer. This reading can be from a variety of genres and tailored to student interest. All reading is valuable, but students should read texts that are appropriate to their grade level. Below are two resources that may provide ideas for books that students will find interesting and that are of sufficient challenge.
Upon return to school, students will complete two benchmark assessments to provide data regarding student reading and writing ability that will inform instruction and goal setting.
This year, the English department will use CommonLit, a free online reading program that allows all students to make measurable gains in their reading and writing. The platform provides teachers with three grade-level benchmark assessments that students will complete throughout the school year. These diagnostic assessments give us helpful information on how our students are performing on key skills at their grade level and where they might need further support. These assessments also provide information on how students are performing compared to their peers nationally.
The writing benchmark will be based on a short piece. The pieces for each grade and level are linked below. Students should read and annotate the pieces prior to the class when they will complete the writing.
Summer Reading 2024
Grade 9:
Accelerated: The Most Dangerous Game
How To Read Literature Like a Professor Chapters 2, 10, 12
Academic: Lamb to the Slaughter
Grade 10:
Accelerated: Dr. Heideggar's Experiment
Academic: The Tell-Tale Heart
Grade 11:
Accelerated: Jimmy Carter's Argument.pdf
Academic: Jimmy Carter's Argument.pdf
Grade 12:
Students will receive the reading on the first day of English IV and be given an appropriate amount of time to read and prepare for the writing benchmark.
AP Summer Reading Requirements:
Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are required to complete summer reading assignments that will be collected upon return to school. They are also expected to read a common text.
AP Literature and Composition:
Students are to read the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston. They will complete a timed response focused on the novel when they return.
Students are also to read the chapters from How to Read Poetry Like a Professor that are linked below and complete the poetry analysis activity that is posted below.
How To Read Poetry Like a Professor Intro, Chapters 1-2
How To Read Poetry Like a Professor Chapters 6,8,12
AP Language and Composition:
Students are to read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich.
Students are also to read the AP Language Summer Reading Packet linked below and complete the Say/Does assignment in the packet using Nickel and Dimed.