Reading broadly and intelligently are essential components of a good education, and Blair faculty members encourage reading throughout the year. The summer is no exception, which is why all Blair students are expected to read a minimum of five fiction or nonfiction books over the summer, and they are urged to read even more.

Students must read a minimum of five books over the summer months, including titles of their choosing in addition to those required by their teachers, and depending upon their courses, they may also have associated assignments and/or assessments to complete.

Titles for 2022 summer reading assignments are listed below. New and returning students enrolled in certain language courses for the 2022-2023 academic year must also complete summer work. Details about the summer work for language courses is linked in the list below. 

Requirements for Selected Courses (listed by department) for 2022-2023:

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ENGLISH

The English department has curated a list of recommended books for summer reading in the following link: Summer Reading for Blair Students

All students are expected to read at least two books from this list. In the first week back, every student will complete a writing exercise on one of the books they read from this list. Please plan to return to Blair with a hard copy of one of the books you read from the list.

AP English Literature: Students in this class are required to read Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann as one of their options.  

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HISTORY

Modern European History:  Please read the article shared here. The last page has a writing assignment to complete and bring with you for the start of school. All work is due on the first class meeting. 

AP US History:  Read this selection from Charles Mann’s 1491: here. Annotate as you read, write down three to five main ideas from the reading, develop a discussion question to guide our talk about the reading on Day 1. 

AP European History: All students are asked to complete the following assignment: 2021 AP Euro Summer Reading

Global Issues and U.S. History: In lieu of summer reading, instructors in these courses may assign a book over either the winter or spring break. 

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SCIENCE

AP Biology: Chapters 1-3 reading and notes in Campbell Biology in Focus AP Edition, 3rd Edition. Complete all of the Active Reading Guide questions for each chapter. Chapter 1 Active Reading Guide, Chapter 2 Active Reading Guide, Chapter 3 Active Reading Guide

AP Psychology: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

AP Chemistry: The summer reading assignments for AP Chemistry are found here.

Chemistry Honors: Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World  by Mark Miodownik. Dr. Sayers asks that you review this document as part of the assignment.

Marine Biology: Close to Shore by Michael Capuzzo

Astronomy: A Brief History of Time by Steven Hawking - MJR

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LANGUAGE

Summer work in language courses differs by grade level and language studied. Please review the below requirements closely and click on the appropriate link.

Spanish 2/2H: Click here for the assignment from Mrs. Castillo, Ms. Cullen and Mrs. Lang.

Spanish 3/3H: Click here for the assignment from Dr. Mundo and Ms. Cullen.

Spanish 4 Regular:  Click here for the assignment from Mr. Devaney.

Spanish 4 Honors: Click here for the assignment from Mr. Devaney.

AP Spanish Language:  Click here for the assignment from Mr. Devaney.

French 2: Click here for fun ways to stay connected to French.

French 3/3H: Click here for fun ways to stay connected to French.

French 4/4H:  Click here to join the 4H 22-23 Google Classroom/ Complete summer HW.
                And, here are more fun ways to stay connected to French.   

AP French Language: Click here to join the AP 22-23 Google Classroom/ Complete summer HW.
                   And, here are more fun ways to stay connected to French.    

All Chinese students: Click here for the assignment from Mr. Facciani and Mrs. Wang.

All Latin Students: Click here for the assignment from Mr. Towne and Mr. Neumaier.

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MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS

Music Theory AP: The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences by Palmer, Manus and Lethco

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FINE ARTS

AP Art History: Ways of Seeing by John Berger