Summer Assignments
Learning never stops. We believe it is important to keep reading, exploring, and investigating over the summer. The Bishop Dunne faculty have developed summer assignments designed to bridge the summer gap and keep skills sharp.
Middle School
English / Literature
During the summer, all students are expected to continue the habit of reading, both for enjoyment and as a supplement to their upcoming literary studies. With these goals in mind, teachers suggest the below texts as to enhance each student’s understanding of the curriculum as well as to provide a new or different reading experience.
All students must be prepared to discuss their chosen texts on the first day of school. Students will complete an in-class assignment on that day in which they will connect texts to their own lives. Please do not hesitate to contact your teacher over the summer should you have questions.
Parents: Please help your student choose his or her text. It is important that you approve both the author and the book. When you and your student have made an informed selection, please encourage the student to begin reading on a regular schedule.
Purchase your summer reading books through Amazon and help to donate back to Bishop Dunne. CLICK HERE to link your Amazon account to Amazon Smile and a portion of your purchases will be donated to the school by Amazon.
Please direct any questions to Mrs. Miranda Gilliam, English Department Chair at mgilliam@bdcs.org.
Select one of the following books.
6th Grade Reading/Writing
- Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliett (Fiction)
- The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Stewart (Fiction)
- Ghost, by Jason Reynolds (Fiction)
- Schomburg: The Man who Built a Library, by Carole Boston Weatherford (Non Fiction / Biography)
7th Grade Literature
Students entering 7th grade should also annotate the text and bring them to class on the first day of school. CLICK HERE for the annotation guide and rubric.
- Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice, by Bryan Stevenson (Non Fiction)
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning, by Jayson Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (Non Fiction)
- Booked, by Kwame Alexander (Fiction)
- Call of the Wild, by Jack London (Fiction)
8th Grade Literature
Students entering 8th grade should also annotate the text and bring them to class on the first day of school. CLICK HERE for the annotation guide and rubric.
- Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice, by Bryan Stevenson (Non Fiction)
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning, by Jayson Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (Non Fiction)
- The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas (Fiction)
- I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition), by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick (Non Fiction / Memoir)
Math
The primary goal of the math department summer assignment is to provide extra practice and help students to prepare for the upcoming school year. This year we will be using the new Khan Academy “Get Ready” series which is a course designed to sharpen skills used in the upcoming school year. This is a mastery based course and we encourage you child to master as many skills as possible prior to the first day of class. Once you join the class please allow 24 hours (Monday-Friday) for the course mastery content to populate for your account.
Click here for special notes and a guide to the new Khan Academy Get Ready courses.
Select the Class Join link below for your class Fall 2021
NEW FALCONS! If you are new to Bishop Dunne and Khan Academy, you will first need to create an account. Please click on the appropriate link below to set up your account. Students ages 12 and under will need to have a parent create the account for them. Students 13 and older can create their own account and link their parent. In creating your child’s account you do not need to pre-select a course. Please use the link provided above to join one of our Bishop Dunne Math courses.
Khan Academy Video Sign Up Instructions:
- Khan Academy - Parent Quick Tips: For Kids Ages 12 and Under
- Khan Academy – Parent Quick Tips: For Kids Ages 13+
If you have questions or need assistance in setting up your child's account, please contact Mrs. Christine Voigt cvoigt@bdcs.org. If you have math questions, contact Mr. Gary Pinkerton gpinkerton@bdcs.org.
World Language
Russian
Russian students in levels 2 - Advanced Russian will complete Duolingo assignments as instructed in class. Contact Ms. Dovzhanska if you have any questions.
Spanish
- Spanish All Levels*
*College Prep level students complete only part one of the assignment
Click on the course name to view the assignment.
High School
English
High School Summer Reading Guide
During the summer, all students are expected to continue the habit of reading, both for enjoyment and as a supplement to their upcoming literary studies. With these goals in mind, teachers choose texts to enhance each student’s understanding of the curriculum as well as to provide a new or different reading experience.
This year, incoming students will choose one text from the below list to read and annotate, using the below instructions as a guide. All students must have the annotated copy of their text as well as any notes with them on the first day of school. Students will discuss and write an essay over their selected novel the first weeks of school. Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Miranda Gilliam (mgilliam@bdcs.org), English Department Chair, over the summer should you have questions.
Parents: Please help your student choose his or her text. It is important that you approve both the author and the book. Some of the authors below produce novels that include adult content, and it is important that you are aware of your student’s reading choice. When you and your student have made an informed selection, please encourage the student to begin reading on a regular schedule.
Purchase your summer reading books through Amazon and help to donate back to Bishop Dunne. CLICK HERE to link your Amazon account to Amazon Smile and a portion of your purchases will be donated to the school by Amazon.
English I
English I College Prep
Select one of the following books.
- Black Panther: A Nation Under our Feet, Book One, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze (Graphic Novel / Fiction)
- Educated, by Tara Westover (Non Fiction / Memoir)
- Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee (Drama)
- And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie (Fiction / Mystery)
- Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (Fiction)
Some of these texts are graphic novels. CLICK HERE to view a Prezi with tips on how to annotate graphic novels.
As you annotate, consider the following sample writing prompt to guide you:
Based on annotations, determine a major, universal theme that could be found in specific passages regarding characterization, conflicts, or symbolisms.
English I Honors
Select one of the following books to read.
- Black Panther: A Nation Under our Feet, Book One, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze (Graphic Novel / Fiction)
- Educated, by Tara Westover (Non Fiction / Memoir)
- Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee (Drama)
- And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie (Fiction / Mystery)
- Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (Fiction)
Some of these texts are graphic novels. CLICK HERE to view a Prezi with tips on how to annotate graphic novels.
As you annotate, consider the following sample writing prompt to guide you:
Based on annotations, determine a major, universal theme that could be found in specific passages regarding characterization, conflicts, or symbolisms.
English II
10th Grade College Prep
Select one of the following books.
- Superman Smashes the Klan, by Gene Luen Yang (Graphic Novel / Fiction)
- American Street, by Ibi Zoboi (Fiction)
- Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo (Fiction)
- New Boy, by Tracy Chevalier (Fiction)
Some of these texts are graphic novels. CLICK HERE to view a Prezi with tips on how to annotate graphic novels.
10th Grade Honors
Select one of the following books.
- The Complete Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi (Graphic Novel / Memoir)
- All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely (Fiction)
- Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, by Jon Krakauer (Non Fiction / Adventure)
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, by Ericka Sanchez (Fiction)
Some of these texts are graphic novels. CLICK HERE to view a Prezi with tips on how to annotate graphic novels.
English III
11th Grade College Prep
Select one of the following books.
- The Boy in the Black Suit, by Jason Reynolds (Fiction)
- American Street, by Ibi Zoboi (Ficton)
- Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah (Non Fiction / Memoir)
- Fences, by August Wilson (Drama)
AP Language and Composition
REQUIRED:
- A Doll's House, by Henrik Isben (Drama)
Select one of the following books in addition to A Doll's House.
- My Antonia, by Willa Cather (Fiction)
- Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah (Non Fiction / Memoir)
- American Street, by Ibi Zoboi (Fiction)
- The Road, by Cormac McCarthy (Fiction / Science Fiction)
English IV
12th Grade College Prep
Select one of the following books.
- Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad (Fiction)
- Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Fiction)
- Ophelia, by Lisa Klein (Fiction)
- V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore (Graphic Novel / Fiction)
Some of these texts are graphic novels. CLICK HERE to view a Prezi with tips on how to annotate graphic novels.
AP Literature and Composition
REQUIRED:
- The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz (Fiction)
Select one of the following books.
- The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy (Fiction)
- Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Fiction)
- The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood (Fiction)
- Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward (Fiction)
AP students will complete a sample timed writing essay in the first two weeks of school. This essay will be used as a diagnostic marker for growth over the course of the school year. As you read your chosen text, annotate specifically for stylistic elements such as setting, characterization, and narration.
Math
The primary goal of the math department summer assignment is to provide extra practice and help students to prepare for the upcoming school year. This year we will be using the new Khan Academy “Get Ready” series which is a course designed to sharpen skills used in the upcoming school year. This is a mastery based course and we encourage you child to master as many skills as possible prior to the first day of class. Once you join the class please allow 24 hours (Monday-Friday) for the course mastery content to populate for your account.
Click here for special notes and a guide to the new Khan Academy Get Ready courses.
Select the Class Join link below for your class Fall 2021
NEW FALCONS! If you are new to Bishop Dunne and Khan Academy, you will first need to create an account. Please click on the link below to set up your account with your parent. In creating your child’s account you do not need to pre-select a course. Please use the link provided above to join one of our Bishop Dunne Math courses.
Khan Academy Video Sign Up Instructions:
If you have questions or need assistance in setting up your child's account, please contact Mrs. Christine Voigt cvoigt@bdcs.org. If you have math questions, contact Mr. Gary Pinkerton gpinkerton@bdcs.org.
World Language
Russian
Russian students in levels 2 - Advanced Russian will complete Duolingo assignments as instructed in class. Contact Ms. Dovzhanska if you have any questions.
Spanish
- Spanish All Levels*
*College Prep level students complete only part one of the assignment.
- Spanish Language AP
Click on the course name to view the assignment.
AP Studio Art
Contact Mrs. Allison Ramirez with questions.