Summer Reading: 11th grade CAP 2015

James_R_Mogge@mcpsmd.org
Miriam_R_Plotinsky@mcpsmd.org
A. P. World History
Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn
(A Bantam/Turner book ISBN 0-553-37540-7)
Ishmael is a novel that challenges the reader to reflect on the course of human
development and the values reflected in our current way of living and coexisting. The
book was originally written in other forms and was adapted into a novel in 1992. It is
used by teachers in a variety of subject areas from middle school to graduate school. In
recent months it appeared on the Washington Post top-10 best seller list for fiction.
The A. P. World History course begins during a period about 10,000 years ago
when there was a shift by some groups from hunting & gathering to farming and
pastoralism. In Ishmael, Daniel Quinn suggests that this transition began a fundamental
change in the way humans interacted with their environment and other species. This
change has had significant consequences for our environment and raises important ethical
questions. In a unique way the novel allows us to trace the origin and consequences of
human progress.
I have amazing news for you. Man is not alone on this planet. He is part of a
community, upon which he depends absolutely.
Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit

Assignment: Maintain a reflective reading journal for each of the thirteen parts.
Complete as a word document that will be submitted on the day we return.
For each part complete a journal entry:
Identify the part number and provide your own reflective chapter title.
Each journal entry should be a well-written paragraph.
(Topic sentence, details from Ishmael and your reflection/analysis)

For each of the 13 parts I have identified possible journal writing questions.
You may choose to use these questions to guide your journal writing. Keep in
mind these questions require thought and analysis, not just finding the answer
in the book.
However, you do not have to use these suggested topics. Please try to reflect on
the elements of the story that you find most interesting.
Part One (chapters 1 8)
Why is the main character drawn toward the office building and why does he
return?
Part Two (chapters 1-7)
What is the Mother Culture and how does it impact our lives?
Part Three (chapters 1-8)
In what way is our story of the history of the planet a story created by the Takers?
Part Four (chapters 1-5)
Why was the movement toward agriculture revolutionary and what was the
impact?
Part Five (chapters 1-7)
To what extent is the way we think and the things we think about bound by the
limits of our culture?
Part Six (chapters 1-6)
What does he mean when he says that the history of the last 10,000 years has been
like an unplanned flight off a cliff and we are discovering that we are headed
toward the bottom?
Part Seven (chapters 1-4)
Why do humans tend to view the natural world as chaos and savage, relentless
competition, where every creature goes in terror of its life?
Part Eight (chapters 1-10)
How have the Takers created disorder in the name of creating order?
Part Nine (chapters 1-17)
To what extent does popular religious belief support Taker practices and prevent
fundamental change? Are there exceptions?
Part Ten (chapters 1-9)
Culture is the sum total of whats passed along, not just information and
techniques. Its beliefs, assumptions, theories, customs, legends, songs, dances,
jokes, superstitions, prejudices, tastes, attitudes. What was left behind and what
became the focus when humans shifted from Leavers to Takers?
Part Eleven (chapters 1-5)
What things changed when humans took control and thwarted the desires of the
gods?
Part Twelve (chapters 1-12)
How would things be different if we reject the Taker premise that the world
belongs to man and embrace the Leaver premise that man belongs to the world?
Part Thirteen (chapters 1-4)
We could have saved him. Partridge thought about that for a while, Are you
sure he would have let us?

AP Language and Composition

Read the following texts:
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
While you read:
Take notes that address stylistic conventions, thematic content and, most
importantly, the authors rhetorical purpose.
If possible, annotate the texts as you read to pursue active, rather than passive,
reading skills.
During the first two weeks of school, bring your books and notes to class. Be prepared to
complete a writing assessment that addresses your persuasive writing skills. We will also
do several in-class activities that relate to the above readings.
Note: Ideally, students should obtain their own copies of the summer reading texts.
However, please contact the CAP office or Ms. Plotinsky if you need assistance