Summer Reading

Dear all

So, in an attempt to make sure that the students on the A Level Lit course at Sewell Park College are not only well-read and rounded consumers of literature, I thought we could also become a little more media-savvy. So, you'll be creating your own blogs and posting your thoughts on your summer reading on it. Who knows you might even enjoy it...


Now, I’m not claiming to be an expert at blogging and in fact, like you, I’m learning as I go. (You only have to see my blog to see it is in its embryonic stages.)

So a quick recap – I will be teaching the incoming AS students which means that starting from September you will be taught by Mrs Higgin and Ms Maple and not by me (boo-hoo, I know). They will go over the course outline with you in much more detail, but, in short, you will be studying texts thematically linked to ‘Love Through the Ages’. There will be a piece of written coursework and lots of wider reading in preparation for the end of year exam in 2012.

That’s where I come in. To make sure that you can bring something to the table in September 2011, you need to read three poems, one play and one novel which all feature the theme of love rather heavily. After you have read these, you will be expected to respond to them and post your responses on your newly set-up blog.

Your blog accounts will be set up on Tuesday 5th July 2011.

Let’s go over what you’ll need to do over the summer in preparation for your A2 studies:

First off, you don’t need to buy anything for your summer reading, it’s all been handed out to you already. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR TEXTS IN ON YOUR RETURN FORM THE HOLS TO GIVE BACK TO MRS HIGGIN. Sorry, you can’t keep them!

1) Read the three poems all by John Donne. Do some research on Donne and consider why he is in the literary canon at all. Go back over the poems several times, each time taking more from them.

2) Write a response to each poem. As a writing frame, consider:

3)
· The poem’s content and meaning. What is it about?
· The ideas that the poet may wanted you to think about
· The mood and atmosphere of the poem
· How it is written – words or phrases you find interesting, the way the poem is structured or organised and so on
· your response to the poem

Try to write something on all of these but don’t feel like you have to stick to the writing frame. It’s only there as a guide line for support and you are competent, A2 students after all. So be confident and expressive in your responses.

4) Read Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge. Make lots of notes on a separate piece of paper as you go.
5) Write a response to the play. Aim to write around 500 words minimum. Think about what you thought of the play; what were the best bits and why; what did you think of the characters and the characterisation? What was Miller saying in his play – that is - what was the point in Miller writing it? What stage devices did you enjoy and why? What aspects of love did you find interesting and why? What ‘sort’ of love was being expressed? Again, don’t feel confined to stick to my ideas, but use them to help if you wish.

This should be completed by the START of the summer holidays (or the end of the 2011 academic year, however you wish to see it). You have plenty of time to do this as the timetable is much more relaxed during the June/July period.

6) Read and make notes on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel The Remains of the Day.

7) Write and post on your blog a review of this book. This means that you will have to show your understanding of the novel and your personal interpretation of it. Think about love and relationships within it. How is it presented and how successful do you think it is? Include quotes of your favourite bits. If you feel confident to talk about aspects of form/structure and language (I can hear the sighs from here – ‘leave it out Codling, it is the summer break after all!’). Ok, Ok, only mention F/S/L if you REALLY WANT TO.

Finally, enjoy them! Just because you have to write something on them doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the experience of reading through some bloody great texts.

ENSURE THAT YOUR BLOGS ARE COMPLETED BY THE 1ST SEMPTEMBER, THIS WILL GIVE US THE TIME TO HAVE A LOOK THROUGH YOUR WORK AND EVEN LEAVE A RESPONSE OR TWO. It will also give you all something to talk about on return (like you need that!)

Finally, don’t forget that this is not an exercise just for the sake of keeping you busy over the holidays – it is important for you have time off after all. ALL OF THESE TEXT CAN BE USED IN YOUR A2 EXAM/WIDER READING AND COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN IT REALLY COUNTS…

It’s been fun.

Thanks for being a wonderful group.

Just leave my ‘thank-you’ cards and presents on my desk – cheques accepted and payable to Mr P F Codling! Mr C x