2008 AP Government Summer Reading Assignment

Quick Questions- Write a short paragraph explaining your point of view or current knowledge of the following questions?

What are the differences between political parties?

Do our elected officials truly represent all of our needs in Washington D.C.?

What is the true purpose of government?  Why do we need it?

Answer the following question in a 2 page response. 

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:  The American form of government is the best government on Earth?  (If you disagree, whose is the best?)

AP History

Read, outline, & take notes on the first 3 chapter on the American Pageant book.  Complete a written DBQ on the Chesapeake and New England Colonies.  Start Major assignment # 1 in the course syllabus.

·         The course syllabus will be available in handout form in the main office.

·         The DBQ, must be written or typed (5 paragraph English standard), but can always be longer.  The DBQ Question may incorporate sections of Chapter 4 & 5 in it.  We will be going over Chapter 4 & 5 the first weeks of school.

ESSAY QUESTION -  Compare the colonial settlements that developed along the Chesapeake and in New England.  Use your book and supplemental material to provide specific details on each colonial settlement.  For each be sure to describe the folowing:  (a.)  lifestyle of the inhabitants, (b)  basic economic systems, (c) political organization, & (d) describe the attributes of each colony as well as there downfalls.

This work is due on the first day, NO EXCEPTIONS!

(You need to see or email Mr.Banta to arrange a pick up of your AP History Textbooks.) 

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US II History Honors Summer Work.

Project 1

What is the Gilded Age?

Create a timeline of important events which have occurred from the start of reconstruction through the Gilded Aged (1865-1890’s).

Project 2

Create a mini-biography (1 page minimum each) on three of the following people.  When concluding your biography, be sure to have a statement that explains how the person fits into the Gilded Age.

Thomas Edison

Andrew Carnegie

John D. Rockefeller

Cornelius Vanderbilt

J.P. Morgan

Booker T. Washington

Jane Addams

Samuel Gompers

Essay 1

Write a 5-paragraph essay answering the following question.  What were the causes and consequences of the Spanish-American war?  Explain how America enters the Imperialist arena by the conclusion of the war.

U.S. History I Honors

Your summer work is to do independent research (if necessary) & use information you have already learned to complete two five paragraph essays.

·         Compare and Contrast the similarities and differences of the War in Iraq (present) to the U. S. Civil War which occurred in America from 1861-1865.  Be sure to include leaders, economical-political reasons as well as the sentiment of all sides involved (militarily and civilian).

·         Compare the similarities and differences of the United
States today, to Great Britain during the 16th-17th century.   What was the goal of the British Empire 16^th-17^th century?  Was it similar to what the U.S. has in mind today?  Elaborate on world domination politically, economically, and the
military. (Especially the ways the World looks at the United States today)

Both will be collected on the first day class meets.  NO EXCEPTIONS

English I, levels 1 & 2:  Rumble Fish
English I Honors: Of Mice and Men; Night
English II, levels 1 & 2:  Lovely Bones
English II Honors: The Last of the Mohicans; The Scarlet Letter
English III, levels 1 & 2: Speak
English III Honors: The Grapes of Wrath; The Catcher in the Rye
English IV, levels 1 & 2:  Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance
English IV Honors/Composition/AP:  The Stranger;  Their Eyes Were Watching God; Fathers and Sons

Honors Chemistry and Honors Physics

There are a wide variety of sources from which you, as honors level science students, can choose summer reading assignments.  These may be available from bookstores, online, news stands and/or at your local libraries.  The MRHS library may also be able to help you.

Choose two articles related to your course from the New York Times Science Section found in Tuesdays’ editions.  One must be from July and one from August.  You should also write an original reflection on two additional journal articles concerning an aspect of science.  These are to be from professional journals of your choosing.  One must be from a July issue and the second from an August issue.  Examples of such journals include Discovery, Scientific American and Popular Mechanics.  You must include a copy of the newspaper article itself and the journal article with your typed assignment.

You must type your reflections on each with a critique.  Each must be a minimum of 2 full page (to the top of the 3rd page) in 12-point font, Arial or Times New Roman, double-spaced and in MLA format.  Your reflection is not simply a summary of the general content.  Express your thoughts and feelings about the content.  What made it a good read or a difficult one?  Is it appropriate for an honors level course?  Does it fit into the realm of your particular course as your understand it?  Is it also suited for other courses besides yours?  Which one(s) and why?  These few questions should get you started on the reflection, but you can go further in your writing.

Each reflection is worth 50 points toward a marking period grade.  The four assignments must be completed and handed in on the first day of classes, September 9, 2009.

Honors Biology

There are a wide variety of sources from which you, as honors level science students, can choose summer reading assignments.  These may be available from bookstores, online, news stands and/or at your local libraries.  The MRHS library may also be able to help you.

Choose two articles related to your course from the New York Times Science Section found in Tuesdays’ editions.  One must be from July and one from August.  You should also write an original reflection on two additional journal articles concerning an aspect of science.  These are to be from professional journals of your choosing.  One must be from a July issue and the second from an August issue.  Examples of such journals include Discovery, Scientific American and Popular Mechanics.  You must include a copy of the newspaper article itself and the journal article with your typed assignment.

You must type your reflections on each with a critique.  Each must be a minimum of 1 full page (to the top of the 2nd page) in 12-point font, Arial or Times New Roman, double-spaced and in MLA format.  Your reflection is not simply a summary of the general content.  Express your thoughts and feelings about the content.  What made it a good read or a difficult one?  Is it appropriate for an honors level course?  Does it fit into the realm of your particular course as your understand it?  Is it also suited for other courses besides yours?  Which one(s) and why?  These few questions should get you started on the reflection, but you can go further in your writing.

Each reflection is worth 50 points toward a marking period grade.  The four assignments must be completed and handed in on the first day of classes, September 9, 2009.