Shakespeare Study Guides – (Cummings)

For everyone who is interested in excellent Shakespeare guides and materials I really recommend Cummings Study Guides. We have recommended these materials in the past and are pleased to pass along that there have been many major updates and expansions to the original materials.

In their own words……

Plays, Sonnets, Poems

Play Summaries and Analysis: Plot summaries of all the plays, including those of doubtful or joint authorship, such as Edward III, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Sir Thomas More (partly written by Shakespeare), and Cardenio (probably partly written by Shakespeare). Criticism, sources, settings, dates, themes, and other information. 
Sonnet Summaries and Analysis: Definition, origin, and development of the sonnet form. Comparison of the Shakespearean sonnet with the Petrarchan sonnet. Analysis of the rhyme scheme of the Shakespearean sonnet. Common sonnet themes. Discussion of the "young man," "the dark lady," and the "rival poet" referred to in the sonnets. Sonnets and sexuality. 
Narrative and Complaint Poems: Background information, themes, style, and summaries of Shakespeare's long narrative poems—Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece—and the complaint poem, A Lover's Complaint (with an annotated text). Analysis of The Phoenix and the Turtle.

This is a

A Free Resource Posted by Michael J. Cummings (mcum.mings@mail.com)
Recommended as a Shakespeare Resource by The New York Times

'Real English' utilizing AUTHENTIC and NATURAL ESL videos!

Today I received a letter from Mike at 'Real English' a wonderful resources especially for the summer and those long days when you could be practicing your English skills.

The site describes its self as "Welcome to Real English, the Web's only online ESL site that utilizes authentic and natural ESL videos of people speaking real English on streets across the globe. Designed for individuals learning English, as well as for teachers and institutions, Real English offers unique ESL educational services, including a free subscription to for beginners, and unlimited chat with our teachers, for subscribers."

I ran through many of the pages and discovered a real TREASURE TROVE of materials for students,  teachers, parents, business people and ANYONE who needs to know how to speak REAL English not with a fake accent or using phrases that went out of date during the 'Flower Power' days - sorry - most reading this will just know of that as a chapter in the history book. But this site develops YOUR English so that YOU will be understood.

Give it a try, see what you think. I honestly recommend it to you for this summer and once started you will be hooked!

"This site combines ESL grammar and functions with the spontaneity provided by the people we meet casually during our filming campaigns. You will not find any actors here. All of our clips are based on people being themselves, speaking naturally and spontaneously, just like in the situations which learners will deal with when their training is finished, when they travel to English-speaking countries, or when they welcome English speakers into their homes and offices.

Most of our videos are based on targeted grammar structures, providing an anchor and a counterpoint to the spontaneity of street video. This unique approach is greatly appreciated by teachers who have been using traditional materials and videos, which present us with actors speaking slowly and distinctly, as if the real world were slow and distinct. The traditional shock of migrating from "classroom English" to real English is built into the method itself, providing our students with a head start, enabling them to learn in a reality-based environment."

Let us know how you get on!

Summer Reading - MIST Recommendations: Pre Senior (Going into Y 12)

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Directions: Read one of the following books during the summer if you will be in World Literature or Honors World Literature. You will be tested in English class when you return to school. To prepare yourself, take notes on the book. Be sure to take notes on minor and major characters, the setting of the story, and plot events. AP students, see separate list.

World Literature (Choose one)

The Good Earth by Pearl S. BuckStory of Wang Lung's growth from adolescence and poverty to old age and wealth in pre-Communist China.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy TanFascinating vignettes about four Chinese-born women and their American-born daughters; magical tales of women living in two cultures.

Madame Bovary by Gustave FlaubertProject Gutenberg eBookFamous French novel about Emma Bovary, who, dissatisfied with the lack of glamour in her middle class life, searches for romance and excitement and becomes entangled in a web of deceit.

Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala MarkandayaA moving and realistic story of the unbelievable challenges of growing up as a girl/woman in a village of India.

The Merry Wives of Windsor by William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg eBook This romantic comedy entwines wise women, mistaken identities, jealousy and good old fashioned wooing! See the adventures of Falstaff, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page portrayed on stage this summer at the Great Lakes Theater Festival.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale HurstonWonderful story of a black woman's discovery of dignity and love in the prejudiced South of the 1930's.

Honors World Literature

(Choose one book from the list above, and also read the following)

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton The compassionate story of Zulu pastor Steven Kumalo and his son Absalom.

AP World Literature

Read the following novel and one other work.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy(Penguin edition only, translated by Pevear & Volokhonsky) Sensual, rebellious Anna renounces a respectable marriage for a passionate and destructive romantic involvement.

Summer Reading - MIST Recommendation: Pre Junior: (Going into Y 11)

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Directions: Read the book listed below during the summer. You will be tested on the book in English class when you return to school. To prepare yourself, take good notes on the book. Be sure to take notes on minor and major characters, the settings of the story, and plot events.

British Literature

Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier

Honors British Literature

David Copperfield by Charles DickensProject Gutenberg eBook

Summer Reading - MIST Recommendation: Pre Sophomore (Going into Pre Y 10)

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Directions: Read one of the following books during the summer. You will be tested on the book in American Literature when you return to school. To prepare yourself, take good notes on the book. Be sure to take notes on minor and major characters, the setting of the story, and the plots.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
A well-known poet, actress and scholar tells poetically of her African-American childhood in Stamps, Arkansas, where searing bigotry tested but did not destroy her.

The Promise by Chaim Potok
This sequel to The Chosen takes the reader into Danny's and Reuven's adulthoods.

Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark TwainProject Gutenberg eBook
At Dawson's Landing in times of slavery, two boys -- one black, one white -- are switched at birth. What happens as a result shows the author's firm conviction that "color is only skin deep."

Witch Child by Celia Rees
In 1659, fourteen year old Mary Newbury keeps a journal of her voyage from England to the New World and her experiences living as a witch in a community of Puritans near Salem, Massachusetts.

Summer Reading - MIST Recommendation: Pre Freshman (Going into Y 9)

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:

Directions: Read two of the following books during the summer. You will be tested on the books in English class when you begin school. To prepare yourself, take good notes on the books. Be sure to take notes on minor and major characters, the settings of the story, and plot events.

Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
A father's touching story of his courageous teenage son who dies of a brain tumor at the age of seventeen. Johnny, throughout his illness, and dealing with his death, was being reborn each day.

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & John D. Houston
The author remembers her life as a young Japanese girl who is sent to an internment camp with her family during World War II.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
A biographical novel full of suspense and intrigue about the author's attempts to save refugees from the Nazis during World War II.

Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Sixteen year old Hope runs a diner with her aunt and becomes involved in the mayoral race of the diner's owner, a leukemia victim.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Kino, impoverished Indian fisherman in a little village in Mexico, believes his fortune turns to gold when he finds a valuable pearl. This simple novella relays an important parable about moral values and integrity of soul.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
This is the story of a 40-year-old man, Landon Carter, who looks back on his life at age 17 when he was roped into acting the lead in the town Christmas play.

Words by Heart by Ouida Sebestyen
A story about a girl who comes face to face with violence and must make the hardest choice of her life.

Additional Summer Reading Lists

A LIST OF GREAT LISTS!

Summer Reading List 2007These lists of titles have been compiled by librarians at member schools of the Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN). The lists include both fiction and nonfiction books by some of the best authors for children and young adults. Lists presented for PreK-12.

Summer Reading ListsCharlottesville (Virginia) Catholic School presents these lists or required and suggested reading. Separate lists for each grade K to 8.

Summer Reading for KidsThese books have been selected by Vermont public school librarians and are recommended for summer reading for children and young adults. Published on the Vermont Education Association's Web page, Summer Reading offers separate lists for students in grades K through 4, 5 through 8, and 9 through 12.

Summer Reading ListsThese lists, from the Mountain Brook City Schools in Birmingham, Alabama, recommend books for students in grades 1 through 3, 4, 5, 6, junior high school (grades 7 through 9), and high school.

Summer Reading ListsMiddlesex Middle School in Darien, Connecticut, provides reading lists for social studies and science, as well as English.

Summer Fun Reading ListThese lists include books for students in K through 5. Book lists are divided by grade levels of students entering grades K and 1, 2 and 3, and 4 and 5, as well as into such categories as poetry, picture books, and classic fiction to read aloud to the whole family.

Elementary Summer Reading ListThis list from the Wayland (Massachusetts) Public Schools includes fiction titles for beginning readers, students in grades 2 and 3, and students in grades 4 and 5, as well as lists of books of poetry, books of fairy tales, biographies, books for families to read aloud, and more.

Boulder (Colorado) Public Library Booklists for KidsThis list of lists from the BPL includes summer reading chapter books and summer reading picture books.

Fairfax County Public Library Books for School-Age ChildrenThough not specifically created as summer reading lists, these lengthy lists include great summer reading ideas. Individual lists are offered for students in grades 1 to 6.

Summer Reading ListsThis resource from Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools includes four separate lists -- for students going into grades 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, and 11 and 12.

Boston Public Schools Summer Reading ListsFour lengthy book lists -- for students in grades K through 3, 4 and 5, 6 through 8, and 9 through 12 -- offer titles sorted by genre. These lists, created in association with the Boston Public Library, include titles in Spanish for students in grade K through 8.

ADDITIONAL SUMMER READING RESOURCES

Summer Reading Tips for ParentsAccording to the LD Online Web site, "Studies show that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who continue to read actually gain skills." This site offers tips that encourage parents to help children sustain reading skills during the summer. Although directed to parents of children with learning disabilities, any teacher might include these tips in an end-of-year newsletter as a reminder to parents.

Choices BooklistEach year the International Reading Association (IRA) invites 10,000 schoolchildren to read and vote for the best newly published books. This site provides the children's list as well as a list of teachers' picks for the best books.

Publish Your Book ReviewsHave children publish their book reviews on Web sites that offer readers the opportunity to share their opinions about books. This issue of Barbara Feldman's Surfing the Net with Kids newsletter offers links to a handful of such opportunities!

Summer Reading Lists

Every year around the world schools give their recommendations for the books students should read during the summer. These lists are as varied as there are schools. Here are some links to the top recommended reading lists from around the globe. Try reading some of the books on these lists. Later we will post the books we recommend for our MIST students.

One key to children's reading success is making their reading experience entertaining, relaxing, and enjoyable. Allow children to choose their own reading materials and be aware of what their reading interests are. Help them find books that pique their interests. Below are information about and links to many reading lists that identify high-quality titles and serve many different audiences and purposes.

Notable Children's Books An annual list compiled by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA.

Top Ten Lists of "All-Time Classics" ALSC created this list of classics that parents and children can read together for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for national KidsDay (August 2001). There is one list for preschool to age 8 and one list for ages 8-12.

100 best paperbacks A list created by ALSC for Reading is Fundamental (RIF).

Newbery Award Books. Each year, ALSC chooses the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children from books released in the previous year.

Caldecott Award Books. Each year, ALSC chooses the most distinguished American picture book for children released in the previous year.

Pura Belpré Award Books. Each year, ALSC chooses two works (one for narrative and one for illustration) that best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

Coretta Scott King Award Books Each year, the Coretta Scott King Task Force of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table chooses two distinguished books, one by an author of African descent and one from an illustrator of African descent, that promote an understanding and appreciation of the "American Dream."

Robert F. Sibert Award Books. Each year, ALSC chooses the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year.

Mildred Batchelder Award Books. Each year, ALSC honors an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.

Booklist Editor's Choice Lists including "Books for Youth" compiled by editors of ALA's review magazine, Booklist; with grade levels suggested.

The Teen Read Week website includes a list of resources for materials of interest to teens.
An extensive list of all of the high-school-age reading lists compiled by members of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of (ALA).

Outstanding Books for the College Bound
There are also numerous published lists. A recent one is The New Books Kids Like, edited by Sharon Deeds and Catherine Chastain, Prepared for the Association for Library Service to Children (Chicago: ALA, 2001). This organizes frequently requested materials around 44 topics and indicates grade levels within those topics.

Finally, there are numerous web resources available through Great Web Sites for Kids. See entries under "Literature and Language"