Incoming 9th and 10th Graders
Please read the book assigned below. You can find it at your local bookstore, or at Amazon or Barnes & Noble online. Non-native speakers can consult translations into other languages (Chinese, Japanese, etc.), but should attempt to read the book in English as best they can. Bring a printed copy of your response on the first day of school.
The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: HarperOne: Anniversary edition (April 15, 2014)
ISBN – 10: 0062315005
ISBN – 13: 978-0062315007
A. Read the novel and write 200 words for each prompt below (800 words in total):
- Why is The Alchemist divided into two parts? What lesson or point does each part make?
- In The Alchemist, Santiago is going after a literal treasure: buried gold. Why do you think that Coelho chose such a concrete, obvious treasure instead of something more abstract?
- Many of the wise people that Santiago meets are really old. What does this tell you about wisdom in The Alchemist? What do young people have to offer?
- Do you think that it’s a good idea to use The Alchemist as a self-help book, applying its lessons to your life? Why or why not?
B. Design a book cover for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Your book cover must include
- A clear title and author name;
- A graphic design that reflects the book’s themes;
- A summary of the plot without giving away the ending;
- A review (opinion) about the book.
Be prepared to present your book cover and evaluate others’ on the first day of school.
Incoming 11th and 12th Graders
Please read the book assigned below. You can find it at your local bookstore, or at Amazon or Barnes & Noble online. Non-native speakers should read the book in English. Bring a printed copy of your responses on the first day of school.
The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
Author: Maxine Hong Kingston
Publisher: Vintage International, a division of Random House
ISBN 10 – 0679721886
ISBN 13 – 9780679721888
A. Read the novel and write 2-3 pages, typed, double spaced in 12-point font answering the following questions:
- What is the novel about?
- What is important about the title?
- What do you think the intention of the author was in writing this novel?
- Throughout The Woman Warrior, Kingston explores how her Chinese cultural history can be reconciled with her emerging sense of herself as an American. Is she successful in this endeavor? Support your answer with examples from the text
B. Design a book jacket for The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston.
Your jacket must include
- A clear title and author name;
- A graphic design that reflects the book’s themes;
- A summary of the plot without giving away the ending;
- A review (opinion) about the book.
Be prepared to present your book cover and evaluate others’ on the first day of school.
New and Returning International Students
International students needing ESL classes are placed into two groups: ESL I/II for beginning to intermediate English learners, and ESL II/III for intermediate to advanced English learners. Students who find these assignments too challenging should email the school at admin@wissf.org. We recommend that all international students take intensive English classes. Students must bring their work on the first day of school.
ESL I/II for beginning to intermediate English learners
Write a one-page description of one place you stayed or visited this summer. Write a short composition of about 400-500 words that describes the place and some things that a visitor might be interested in: places to see, food, nightlife, weather, environment, natural and historical sites, etc. Please bring your assignment on the first day of class.
ESL II/III/IV for intermediate to advanced English learners
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- Write a one-page description of your country of origin. Write a short composition of about 500-600 words that describes the place and some things that a visitor might be interested in: places to see, food, nightlife, weather, environment, natural and historical sites, etc. Please bring your assignment on the first day of class.
- Complete this EdX four week course and send a photograph of proof of completion to jwalsh@wissf.org
All Students’ History Assignments
9th, 10th Graders: World Cultures and Civilizations summer assignment found here.
11th 12th Graders: Government and Economics summer assignment found here.
Email Dean Church at dchurch@wissf.org if you have questions about your history work.
College Counseling Assignment
12th Graders
Answer each of the questions below, using different information and examples for each topic. Write at least 200 words for each of these questions:
- What are my most important characteristics and accomplishments that I would want colleges to know about me.
- What are the biggest challenges I have faced in life, and how have I overcome them.
- How do I envision myself ten years after high school graduation? What will I have done during those ten years of my life? What
will I be doing for employment and for personal satisfaction?
Health Class Assignment
Find a health-related newspaper/magazine/internet article. Bring a print version of the article to the first day of class. Write at least 150 words for each of the questions below and be ready to present the article’s main points and your answers to the questions below, during the first health class.
- What are the main points of this article?
- Why is this article important to you and to others?
- What evidence do you have that the information in the article is complete and accurate? What further evidence is needed to confirm accuracy?
- What is a serious health facing teens today? How can we tackle this problem?