Dear Future AP student,

One of the most important skills that is taught in AP English Language is close reading. The national AP exam is just as much a reading test as it is a writing test. Therefore, your only homework in AP English Language will be to read the assigned novels throughout the year. Below is your first novel. We have included a reading schedule; if you would like to begin reading to get ahead, we strongly encourage it. We will begin working with the novel the first week of school. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to working with you.

Mrs. Drohan and Mr. Plyler

BOOK: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

The Metamorphosis tells the unsettling story of Gregor Samsa’s transformation into something entirely unexpected: “a monstrous insect.” This is not just a novel about physical transformation but also a deep reflection on alienation and loneliness.

READING SCHEDULE:

Chapters 1-3 due August 14 (This is the whole novella.)

As you read, keep track of the following:

1. Plot
   • What are the actions or events of the narrative? List major and minor events.
   • How does the passage of time function in the plot? Chronological? Is there foreshadowing? Are there flashbacks? List them.
   • Identify the climax.
   • Identify all conflicts (man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. nature, man vs. society). Be specific!
2. Character
   • Create a list of major and minor characters followed by a description.
3. Setting
   • Identify the setting(s) (time, place, atmosphere).
4. Images and Symbols
   • What images are used in this work?
   • Are the images literal or figurative?
   • Are there repeated images? List them.
   • What symbols are used in this work?
5. Themes
   • Create a list of thematic connections that are addressed in the novel.

BOOK: ​A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007)

This novel is divided into parts. Hosseini’s brilliant choice to structure the novel this way will inform most of our discussions on this, his magnum opus—I hope you enjoy his prose and the enchanting tale he weaves. Unlike the other three-four books we will read this year, for the summer reading assignment you will have a single full book quiz on September, 3, 2025.

During the summer, annotate while you read.

READING SCHEDULE:

• Full book quiz and in-class Socratic Seminar: September 3, 2025

ANNOTATIONS INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Must have 2 per page.
2. Annotations do not include highlighting, underlining, or circling of words—it exclusively refers to analytical observations. You will annotate for the following:
   • Literary devices and elements.
   • Plot elements or any major event that advances the plot.
   • Setting, characterization, narrative perspective.
   • Structure of the novel.
   • Track themes as they appear.
   • Look for symbols and reoccurring symbols (motifs).
   • Consider the impact of the opening scene and closing scene.

   • Analyze the author’s stye. Consider the sentence structure and length. Are sentences short, choppy, and swift or are they extravagant and ornate.

     Engagement with the plot (anything that is striking or makes an impact)

3. Your annotations can be phrases; they do not have to be full sentences. Example: "Imagery highlights the natural aspects of the countryside"

4. Enjoy the book! It is a relatively easy read, yet also incredibly engaging. 

Below you will find directions on accessing the optional summer math assignment. This assignment is designed to help students keep their skills sharp, or to help those students who are unsure about Precalculus, make sure their algebra skills are up to par with expectations. The assignment is broken down into three sections for more specialized practice. It is completely optional and will in no way affect your grade if you choose not to complete it, however it is highly recommended and strongly encouraged. This will remain available during the school year for any prerequisite skills that you need more practice with.

Directions for accessing the OPTIONAL Practice for Pre-Calculus Delta Math 

If you ALREADY have a Delta Math account: 

1. Log in to your existing account.
2. Click on “Add New Class” under Classes on the left-hand side.
3. Enter the code for Incoming AP Precalculus: B843-RP97.
4. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignments. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way. 

If you do NOT have a Delta Math account: 

1. Go to Delta Math and click on “For Students” then “Register”.
2. In the pop-up window, enter the Teacher Code: 739909.
3. Select the class “Incoming AP Precalculus”.
4. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignments. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way. 

Note: It will list the teacher as Poskevich, but you may have a different AP Precalculus teacher when you get your schedule. That is not a problem as your actual teacher will have access to this information.

Below you will find directions on accessing the optional summer math assignment. This assignment is designed to help students keep their skills sharp, or to help those students who are unsure about Calculus, make sure their prerequisite skills are up to par with expectations. The assignment is broken down into six sections for more specialized practice. It is completely optional and will in no way affect your grade if you choose not to complete it, however it is highly recommended and strongly encouraged. This will remain available during the school year for any prerequisite skills that you need more practice with.

Directions for accessing the OPTIONAL Practice for AP Calculus AB Delta Math 

If you ALREADY have a Delta Math account: 

1. Log in to your existing account.
2. Click on “Add New Class” under Classes on the left-hand side.
3. Enter the code for Incoming AP Calculus AB: 2523-2Q8D.
4. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignments. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way.

If you do NOT have a Delta Math account: 

1. Go to Delta Math and click on “For Students” then “Register”.
2. In the pop-up window, enter the Teacher Code: 739909.
3. Select the class “Incoming AP Calculus AB”.
4. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignments. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way.

Below you will find directions on accessing the optional summer math assignments. Concepts covered have been separated into multiple sections for your convenience.

These assignments are designed to help students refresh their Algebra 1 skills, or to help those students who are unsure about Algebra 2 Honors make sure their algebra skills are up to par with expectations. The assignments are completely optional and will in no way affect your grade if you choose not to complete them, however it is highly recommended and strongly encouraged. They will remain available during the school year for any prerequisite skills that you need more practice with.

There will be an “Algebra 1 Review” test given the first week of school. These assignments are an excellent way to prepare for this test.

DIRECTIONS for accessing the OPTIONAL Practice for Algebra 2 Honors Delta Math:

If you ALREADY have a Delta Math account: 

1. Log in to your existing account. 

2. Click on “Tools” and then “Manage Login and Teachers”. 

3. On the next screen, select “Add Teacher”. 

4. Enter the Teacher Code: 341332 and select the class “Lyman A2H Summer Assignment 25”.

*Note: It will list the teacher as Dills, but you may have a different Algebra 2 Honors teacher when you get your schedule. That is not a problem as your actual teacher will have access to this information.

5. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignment. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way.

If you do NOT have a Delta Math account: 

1. Go to Delta Math and click on “Create Account” and then select “Student”. 

2. Enter the Teacher Code: 341332 and select the class “Lyman A2H Summer Assignment 25”.

*Note: It will list the teacher as Dills, but you may have a different Algebra 2 Honors teacher when you get your schedule. That is not a problem as your actual teacher will have access to this information.

3. Once logged in, you will be taken to a screen that shows the optional practice assignment. You are not required to complete all problems. This is to help you for next year and will not be graded in any way.