English II Summer Reading

English II and Honors English II Summer Reading

Your summer reading is chosen to help you learn the basics of Greek and Roman mythology.  We will employ our knowledge as we see allusions in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, poems, and other works during our sophomore year and beyond. 

Assignment:

I. Reading

Read chapters I-XVI (1-16) of Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, Legends of Charlemagne by Thomas Bulfinch.  Published by the Modern Library (ISBN: 0679600469 / 0-679-60046-9).  Any date of publication is fine. 

It is also free online: http://books.google.com/books?id=9uEnAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bulfinch%27s+mythology&hl=en&ei=3h_ITbSBJOfWiAL2xMzWBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Special Note: If you already have a copy of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, you may read it instead of Bulfinch (they cover similar territory in Greek and Roman mythology).  You would read all of Part I (or chapters 1-6) if you read from Hamilton’s account.  We switched to Bulfinch this summer because there is a quality, free, online version; however, either account will serve our purposes for this assignment. 

II. Writing

We will have an in-class writing assignment when you return (your teacher will announce the essay date when you get to class).  As you read, take notes on the following:

Ø  The creation of the world

Ø  The creation of mankind

Ø  The Twelve Olympians and their Roman counterparts: Zeus (Jupiter), Hera (Juno), Poseidon (Neptune), Dionysus (Bacchus),  Apollo (Apollo), Artemis (Diana), Hermes (Mercury), Athena (Minerva), Ares (Mars), Aphrodite (Venus), Hephaestus (Vulcan), Demeter (Ceres)

III. Grammar Review

In order to build annually on our grammar instruction, you are expected to retain the grammar basics covered in freshman English at Monte Vista.  Please review the listed sections if you took English I here, and study them if you are transferring in. 

Sections covered freshman year: Part III Clear Sentences, Chapter 8; Part V Grammatical Sentences, Chapters 19-21; Part VII Punctuation, Chapters 32-39; and Part XI Grammar Basics, Chapters 62-65.

All students in all standard, honors, and AP English courses at Monte Vista study from The Bedford Handbook 7^th Edition by Diana Hacker (ISBN 0312595050). 

Enjoy,

The English Department