Download English I

Martin High School
Pre AP English I
Summer Reading
2014-2015
Mythology
by
Edith Hamilton
Dear Incoming Freshmen and Parents:
We would like to welcome you to Pre-AP English I at Martin High School and applaud
your choice of a more rigorous curriculum. The Pre-AP program utilizes Advanced Placement
strategies which examine material in depth in order to develop students who can think
independently and critically. This course requires that students learn to manage time and
concurrent assignments and to work under time constraints. The students should also be selfmotivated and have the ability to work independently. The Pre-AP ninth grade course focuses on
several content areas:
 Vocabulary
 Composition
 Grammar
 Literature
In Pre-AP English I, at least one major literary selection is studied a six weeks. Please be aware
that Pre-AP English students will be reading books of mature subject. Major selections will
include, but are not limited to:
 Mythology by Edith Hamilton
 The Odyssey by Homer
 Night by Elie Wiesel
 Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
 A Tale of Two Cities and/or Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
In addition to the major works, the students will study selected short stories, essays, and poetry.
Since Martin is on the block schedule, we meet approximately fifteen times each six weeks.
Therefore, to facilitate maximum usage of time, it is necessary that we assign a summer reading
selection. This summer’s selection is Mythology by Edith Hamilton. The study of myths
provides background to literary references and allusions that appear in other literary works. Also,
you will find that mythology is referenced often in everyday society. You should be able to
secure an inexpensive copy of this anthology at a used bookstore where you can highlight
important passages as you read; the public library also has some copies. If you are unable to
highlight passages in your book, then you will need to make detailed notes as you read the
selected passages.
We encourage you to begin this reading assignment early in the summer and then review it
before school starts. As you read the book, you should complete the written portion of the
assignment. You may access this assignment, which will count as your first grade in this
course, online on Edmodo. Go to edmodo.com and use the class code jgajsi. You may also
access the assignment on the Martin website, or you can obtain a hard copy in the main office
or counseling office at Martin High School. Additional assignments, including a test and/or an
essay, will be given over the reading during the first week of school.
We are anxious to meet all of you, and we are looking forward to a productive year. If you have
any questions regarding the assignment, contact Mrs. Lewis at [email protected] during the
summer. Have a fun-filled, safe summer.
Sincerely,
Pre-AP English I team
Summer Assignment Assignment2014-2015
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
I. Read the following selections.

Part One
o The Gods
o The Two Great Gods of Earth
o How the World and Mankind Were Created
o Flower Myths: Narcissus, Hyacinth, Adonis

Part Two
o Cupid and Psyche
o Pyramus and Thisbe
o Pygmalion and Galatea
o Phaethon
o Pegasus and Bellerophon
o Daedalus

Part Three
o Perseus

Part Four
o The Trojan War
o The Fall of Troy
II. Olympic Council Chart
The Olympic Council, headed by Zeus, was the ruling body for the Greek gods,
goddesses, and people of this time period. As you read about the members of this
council, fill in the chart that has been provided with details about each god or goddess’
Latin name, realm, and symbols. Please note that each Greek god or goddess also had a
Latin name given to him/her by the Romans. Also, note that the realm is the domain that the
god or goddess ruled over. Finally, note that each god or goddess had animals, flowers, etc.
that were their favorite or that were sacred to them; these are among their symbols.
Example:
Greek
Zeus
Roman
Jupiter, Jove
Realm
king of the gods, god of
sky, rain-god
Symbols
aegis, eagle, oak,
thunderbolt
III. Mythology Today – Choose one of the following tasks to complete for the final portion of this
assignment. Your response should be typed.
A. Mythology in our Modern World
Myths? They are fantastic stories about the long ago. They don’t belong in the twenty-first
century. Right?
Wrong! Even though you may not be aware of it, myths still play a part in your daily life. Myths
are a part of the names of the products we buy or the companies we shop at, the vocabulary we
speak, the constellation we gaze at in the sky, the music we listen to, the movies we watch, and
more.
Find five examples of products or companies whose names have a mythological connection.
Give the name of the product or company and provide a picture of the product or the logo. In
addition, explain how this is used today. Then state the mythological reference, i.e. make the
intended connection. Finally, state the implied meaning of the product or company. Please type
your responses.
Example:
Product – Dove soap – beauty bar
Today – This product is promoted as not only a bath soap, but a beauty bar.
Mythology – The dove is a symbol for Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty.
Inference – Since Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty, Dove soap not only
gets a person clean; it also makes him/her beautiful, like the goddess.
B. Mythology in movies
Even movies integrate mythology creating an interesting, intricate storyline for viewers still today.
Percy Jackson is just such a movie. Watch this movie and carefully note the mythological references.
Then, make a list of 15 of these references from mythology, the occurrence in the movie, and
the significance. Please type your responses.
Example:
Mythological Reference
Poseidon – god of the sea
Movie Occurrence
Percy finds out that he is a
demigod, the son of Poseidon
Significance
Because his father is god of the
sea, Percy has a special
connection with water and even
gets special powers from water.
Greek
Zeus
Poseidon
Hades
Hera
Hestia
Demeter
Apollo
Hermes
Ares
Hephaestus
Artemis
Athena
Aphrodite
Dionysus
Roman
Realm
Symbols