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Incoming Pre-DC English I
2015 Summer Reading Project
Students entering Pre-DC English I in the fall of 2015 will be required to read: Animal
Farm by George Orwell. Students will also be required to complete a history research
component, vocabulary journal, and dialectical journal.
Supplies you will need for this assignment:
● The book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
○ Amazon: paperback $6.04/Kindle $4.99
○ Barnes & Noble: paperback $6.04/nook book $9.99
○ Hastings: paperback $6.78
○ Half Price Books: paperback $0.99
● Composition notebook (at least 100)
● Poster board
Part One: Making Connections
An allegory is a story in which the setting, characters, events, and ideas stand for other
settings, characters, events, or ideas. Animal Farm may be read as an allegory of
historical events in Russia during the first half of the twentieth century. We will discuss
the connection between the historical events in Russia and the novel when we return to
school. Before reading the novel, find information about the following historical
characters and events:
-
Czar Nicholas II
-
Karl Marx
-
Leon Trotsky
-
Joseph Stalin
-
The Allied invasion of Russia in 1918-1919
-
the German invasion of 1941
-
the Russian Orthodox Church
Use this information to create a visual aid on a poster board. Be sure to include pictures
for each of the historical characters and events.
Part Two: Reading the Novel
● Prepare your composition book:
○ Title the very first page of your composition book: Vocabulary Journal
○ The first several pages of your composition book will be reserved for your
Vocabulary Journal (see attached list)- complete the vocabulary journal
before reading the novel.
■ Write and underline each vocabulary word and write a definition
for each.
○ After completing the vocabulary journal, you may begin reading the novel
and completing the Dialectical Journal.
■ Title the first page following the vocabulary journal: Dialectical
Journal
■ Fold the page in half (the left side will for quotes/passages from the
book and the right side will be for your responses). Each page of
the Dialectical Journal will be folded in half.
■ Number each quote/passage and include the page number where
you found the passage- be sure to copy the passage exactly as it
appears in the book. You must have at least 10 entries. Select
10 quotes/passages that make you think or better understand
things such as the subject matter, characterization, attitudes, and
themes. Responses are neither right nor wrong- interpretations you
make are uniquely yours.
■ Draw a line under each journal entry to show a distinct separation
Part Three: Connecting to the Novel
● Title the first page following the dialectical journal: “The Liberty Song”
● Read “The Liberty Song” by John Dickinson. This is an example of music that
moved the colonists to revolt against England, just as the song “Beasts of
England” inspired the animals to rebel.
“The Liberty Song” by John Dickinson
Come, join, Hand in Hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold Hearts at fair Liberty’s call,
No tyrannous Acts shall suppress your just Claim,
Or stain with dishonor America’s Name.
(Chorus)
In Freedom we’re born, and in Freedom we’ll live.
Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady,
Not as Slaves, but as Freemen our money we’ll give.
Our worthy Forefathers—let’s give them a cheer—
To Climates unknown did courageously steer;
Thro’ Oceans to Deserts for Freedom they came,
And dying bequeath’d us their Freedom and Fame.
(Chorus)
Their generous Bosoms all Dangers despis’d,
So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz’d;
We’ll keep what they gave—we will piously keep,
Nor frustrate their Toils on the Land and the Deep.
(Chorus)
The Tree, their own Hands had to Liberty rear’d;
They liv’d to behold growing strong and rever’d;
With Transport they cried, “Now our wishes we gain,
For our Children shall gather the Fruits of our Pain.”
(Chorus)
Swarms of placemen and pensioners soon will appear
Like locusts deforming the charms of the year;
Suns vainly will rise, showers vainly descend,
If we are to drudge for what others shall defend.
(Chorus)
Then join Hand in Hand brave Americans all,
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a Cause let us hope to succeed,
For Heaven approves of each generous Deed.
(Chorus)
All Ages shall speak with amaze and applause,
Of the courage we’ll shew in support of our laws;
To die we can bear—but to serve we disdain—
For Shame is to Freedom more dreadful than Pain.
(Chorus)
This bumper1 I crown for our Sovereign’s health,
And this for Britannia’s Glory and Wealth;
That Wealth and that Glory immortal may be,
If She is but Just—and if we are but Free.
(Chorus)
In your dialectical journal, title the next blank page “The Liberty Song” and answer the
following questions in your journal to discuss in class. You do not have to write the
question, just your response.
1. What images and phrases do you find inspirational in “The Liberty
Song”?
2. What images and themes do this song and “Beasts of England” have in
common?
3. Patriotic songs are a form of propaganda and often appeal to history
to project a positive future. Which passages recall the colonists’
proud history. Explain their meaning.
4. What do you interpret to be the reason for praising England in the
last stanza of this song about rebellion?
You will turn in your composition book (complete with Vocabulary Journal, Dialectical
Journal, and “The Liberty Song”) and research poster the 2nd day of school. Please
note:
If this project is not submitted by August 25th, then it will be considered late. The
secondary grading policy states that an assignment will lose the following points
for each day it is late.
●
1 day late: 10 point deduction
●
2 days late: 20 point deduction
●
3 days late: 30 point deduction
●
4 or more days late: grade of zero
BE PREPARED TO TAKE THE TEST WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL.
Please visit the Marion High School website in the event that you lose this information packet
and need to replace it.
Please feel free to email me over the summer with any questions you may have to
ahayes@marionisd.net.
Vocabulary List:
1. Ensconced
2. Benevolent
3. Cynical
4. Preeminent
5. Vivacious
6. Obstinate
7. Cryptic
8. Indefatigable
9. Maxim
10. Tractable
11. Irrepressible
12. Ignominious
13. Posthumously
14. Pretext
15. Sordid
16. Intermediary
17. Malignity
18. Capitulated
19. Categorically
20. Retribution
21. Machinations
22. Censured
23. Conciliatory
24. Superannuated
Incumbent
25.