After each reading students will complete a formative assessment. They will complete dictation after each reading. Dictation is when they write passages as they are being read aloud to them. This helps them memorize spelling and sentence structure. They choose a three-paragraph passage, read it, and then write it as it’s read aloud to them. Afterward, they compare their work to the original and make corrections. After writing the passage, have them read it out loud. Written narrations continue with full sentences, correct capitalization, and punctuation. Finally, they will select 12 vocabulary words from each reading. Have them write down the vocabulary word, look up and write down the definition, and then use the word to write a sentence (either from the book or a sentence they make up).

 

At the end of the book students will complete a summative assessment. Summative assessments for level 12 are completed as written essays, creative writing assignments, and APA style research papers. This final level includes a works cited page, preparing them for college standards. You can learn to write an APA-style research paper by following the APA guidelines, which are the standard format used in many college courses for organizing, citing, and presenting academic research. You can find detailed information about APA guidelines on the official APA website or in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

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Book 111: Relativity: The Special and General Theory by Albert Einstein

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

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Essay prompt: In Relativity: The Special and General Theory, Albert Einstein presents complex ideas about space, time, and gravity in a way that changed our understanding of the universe. Choose one of the main concepts discussed in the book, such as the relativity of simultaneity or the curvature of space-time. Explain this concept in your own words and discuss its significance. How does this concept challenge our everyday understanding of reality? Use examples from the book to support your explanation.

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a newspaper article reporting on the groundbreaking theories presented by Albert Einstein in his book on relativity. Imagine you are a journalist in the early 20th century. Your article should cover the main ideas of special and general relativity, explain why they are significant, and include reactions from scientists and the public. Keep the article to one page, focusing on making the complex ideas accessible and engaging for your readers.

 

Research paper prompt: The life and accomplishments of Albert Einstein.

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Book 112: Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency by Nikola Tesla

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

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Essay prompt: In Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency, Nikola Tesla explores groundbreaking ideas about electricity and its potential applications. Choose one experiment or concept presented in the book, such as the principles of alternating current (AC) or wireless energy transmission. Explain the significance of this concept and how it contributed to the development of modern electrical systems. Discuss its impact on technology today and the way we use electricity in our daily lives. Use examples from the text to support your analysis.

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Creative writing prompt: Write a newspaper article reporting on Nikola Tesla’s revolutionary experiments with alternating currents. Imagine you are a journalist in the late 19th or early 20th century covering a demonstration of one of Tesla’s inventions. Your article should describe the experiment, explain its significance, and include reactions from scientists, inventors, and the general public.

 

Research paper prompt: A biographical study of Nikola Tesla: His life, challenges, and the legacy of his inventions.

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Book 113: Ancient and Modern Physics by Thomas Edgar Wilson

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

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Essay prompt: In Ancient and Modern Physics, Thomas Edgar Wilson examines the evolution of physical theories from ancient times to the present. Choose one specific concept or development discussed in the book, such as the transition from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics or the impact of ancient philosophies on modern physics. Explain the significance of this concept and how it has shaped our current understanding of the physical world. Use examples from the text to support your explanation.

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a newspaper article about a major breakthrough in physics as discussed in Thomas Edgar Wilson's Ancient and Modern Physics. Imagine you are a journalist covering a scientific conference where key findings are being presented. Your article should summarize the breakthrough, explain its historical context, and discuss its implications for the future of science.

 

Research paper prompt: The evolution of a specific physical theory, such as the development of the atomic model from ancient Greece to modern times.

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Book 114: South by Ernest Shackleton

📕Recommended print edition: not currently available

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Essay prompt: In South, Ernest Shackleton recounts his incredible journey and the challenges faced during his Antarctic expedition. Choose one key moment from the book, such as the crew's struggle for survival or Shackleton's leadership qualities. Analyze how this moment reflects the themes of perseverance, teamwork, and courage. Discuss the lessons that can be learned from Shackleton's experiences and how they relate to challenges we face today. Use examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a journal entry from the perspective of Ernest Shackleton during a critical moment of the expedition. Consider how he might have felt as he faced the challenges of the harsh Antarctic environment, the struggles of his crew, and the weight of leadership. Describe his thoughts, emotions, and hopes for survival, as well as any decisions he made that impacted the journey.

 

Research paper prompt: The historical context of Shackleton's expedition: What motivated this journey, and what were the goals of early Antarctic explorations?

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Book 115: The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

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Essay prompt: In The Bride of Lammermoor, Sir Walter Scott explores themes of love, betrayal, and family loyalty through the tragic story of Lucy Ashton and Edgar Ravenswood. Choose one character from the novel and analyze their motivations and actions throughout the story. How do their choices impact the events that unfold? Discuss how the themes of the novel are reflected in this character's journey, using specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Pick a pivotal scene from the novel and rewrite it from the point of view of a different character, such as Edgar Ravenswood or a family member of Lucy's, to explore their thoughts and emotions.

 

Research paper prompt: An analysis of the historical and cultural context of the novel and how it influences the characters and themes.

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Book 116: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

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Essay prompt: In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores complex themes such as creation, responsibility, and the consequences of unchecked ambition through the story of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. Choose one theme and analyze how it is developed throughout the novel. Consider the actions of Victor and the creature, and how their relationship reflects this theme. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis and discuss the relevance of this theme in today’s world.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine a scene where Victor meets the creature for the first time, but instead of reacting with fear and rejection, he chooses to engage with him. Write this scene, focusing on their conversation and how it changes their fates.

 

Research paper prompt: Analyze how the Year Without a Summer impacted societal views on science, nature, and humanity, and how these themes manifest in the novel.

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Book 117: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Dover Thrift

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Essay prompt: In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë explores themes of social class, gender roles, and the quest for identity through the experiences of the protagonist, Jane. Choose one theme and analyze how it is developed throughout the novel. Discuss how Jane’s relationships and experiences shape her understanding of herself and her place in the world. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis and reflect on the relevance of this theme in today’s society.

 

Creative writing prompt: Rewrite a pivotal scene from the novel, such as Jane's confrontation with Mr. Rochester, from Mr. Rochester's perspective. Explore his thoughts and feelings during the encounter.

 

Research paper prompt: Examine how Charlotte Brontë portrays the challenges women faced during this time, particularly in terms of independence and societal expectations, and how Jane defies these norms.

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Book 118: Dracula by Bram Stoker

📕Recommended print edition: not currently available

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Essay prompt: In Dracula, Bram Stoker explores themes of fear, the clash between modernity and tradition, and the battle between good and evil. Analyze how Stoker uses these themes to reflect the concerns of Victorian society. Consider how the characters, particularly Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker, and Count Dracula, embody these themes. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis and discuss how these themes are still relevant today.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine that Dracula never leaves Transylvania and decides to stay hidden. Write a short story that explores how this affects the lives of the main characters and the events of the novel.

 

Research paper prompt: Investigate how Dracula reflects the anxieties of the Victorian era regarding science, technology, and the supernatural. Discuss how Stoker portrays the conflict between traditional beliefs and modern science.

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Book 119: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

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Essay prompt: In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle weaves a tale of mystery and suspense featuring the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his faithful companion, Dr. John Watson. Analyze how Doyle uses atmosphere, setting, and character development to create tension and intrigue throughout the novel. Discuss how the moorland setting contributes to the story's overall themes and how Holmes and Watson's contrasting personalities enhance the narrative. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine that the curse of the Baskervilles is real, and the hound truly exists. Write a short story detailing how the characters respond to this supernatural threat and what the consequences are for them.

 

Research paper prompt: Investigate how the methods of deduction used by Sherlock Holmes reflect the growing interest in forensic science during the Victorian era. Discuss how Holmes embodies the rational approach to crime-solving.

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Book 120: The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Dover Thrift

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Essay prompt: In The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the impact of history on individuals and families. Analyze how the ancestral curse affects the Pyncheon family and how it shapes their lives and relationships throughout the novel. Discuss the significance of the house itself as a symbol of the family's past and its influence on the characters' fates. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a journal entry from the perspective of Hepzibah Pyncheon as she reflects on her life in the house. Explore her feelings about the family legacy, her struggles with poverty, and her hopes for the future.

 

Research paper prompt: The history of Salem, Massachusetts.