Global Studies II Letter to Students

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	Global Studies II Letter to Students Summer Project Letter

Welcome to Mrs.Danforth's Webpage!

Hello 10^th Grader! (Well, almost!) I am looking forward to getting to know you next year. Before you enter Tenth Grade, you’ll need to read a historical novel for my class. Attached to this page, you’ll find a list of suggested novels that deal with topics in Global History. Please choose one that you have not read before. (Make sure the book you choose is by the author I indicated) Although it is unlikely, if you are truly unable to “get into” any book on my list, you may contact me before August 1^st to seek approval for your independent choice. This project will be due September 14^th (that is the second Friday after school begins). This will be worth 10% of your first quarter grade in Global 10.

This project has 3 tasks. .

TASK #1 - Read the book! Seriously!

TASK #2 - Write me a letter. The content of the letter will be as described below. Typing will earn you 5 bonus points (please use a 12 pt standard font at 1 ½ space between lines). If you absolutely can’t type your work, I expect delightfully neat penmanship! Make certain you answer all portions of each part!

Part 1: Write a bit about who you are. How do you spend your free time? Tell me a little about how you spent summer vacation. Are you a good student? Which classes have been your favorites? Which period(s) in history are the most interesting? What career are you hoping to enjoy someday? What would you like me to know about you?

Part 2: Discuss what you liked best about this book. Why did you choose this book? What kind of books do you typically read? What genres, authors or topics do you generally enjoy? How did it make you feel? Discuss any connections you saw between this book and other books you have read.

Part 3: With which character did you most closely identify? Explain why this was so. Conversely, with which character did you least identify? Again, explain your reaction. How would you have reacted given the exact circumstances you read about?

Part 4: State three important questions you would ask if you were able to interview the main character. Give the response you feel s/he would give to each of your questions. Do not ask questions that were answered in the book.

Part 5: Historically speaking, what is the significant event or era upon which this book is based? Give 5 important facts about this event/era. Cite your source(s) for these facts.

Part 6: How has the event/era discussed in Part 5 caused the central problem faced by the main character? How are the main character and the story entwined in this event or era? How did this historical event/era work out in real life? How does the story reflect this real life conclusion?

Part 7: What is your final evaluation of the book? For whom would you recommend this book? Explain your reasons. I plan to consider your comments seriously when I make next year’s list.

TASK #3 - Create a test for the book you’ve read. Include twenty multiple choice, and ten short-answer questions. Be certain that your questions reflect important events/ideas in the story – not trivia. After writing the test, create a separate "key" which contains the answers to the test. This test should be neatly put together, free of errors, and should be a test that could actually be administered to a class who had read the book. (Who knows? It might be!)

Although this is not due until the second week of September, you would be making a grave error of judgment by leaving it until then. You will be doing plenty of other homework for my class. Read the book and do the project while you have the less structured time of summer vacation. And here’s a “heads up” for you, for each subsequent quarter you will be required to read a book that I’ll choose for you. I do think I’ve chosen 3 great titles - I hope you will enjoy reading them as well as learn some history in the process.

All the titles on my list are available either through the Upper Hudson Library System (it will be delivered to the Cheney Library for you - just call the library) or can be signed out of the HFCS High School Library - there is no need to buy a book for this project. In case you loose your book list, I have copied this list to my HFCS website.

If you have questions, I can be reached via the school email (danforthe@hoosickfallscsd.org) or via phone at 686-5586. Have a great summer. See you in September!