Course Books

ANCIENT HISTORY (9th Grade Students)

The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh by David Damrosch (ISBN: 978-0805087253): One of the first works we will read in Ancient History is the Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh, a tale of tyranny, friendship, and the human fear of death. The Buried Book recounts how this epic was lost for millennia—literally buried in the ruins of the Assyrian empire—and then rediscovered in the nineteenth century. Over the summer, please read the Introduction,  Chapters 1–3, and Chapter 5 of The Buried Book. As you read, concentrate on the big picture: What obstacles did archaeologists face as they tried to unearth the remnants of Mesopotamian civilizations? How did scholars learn to read unknown ancient languages? Moving back in time, why did Assyrian kings value writing, and how did cuneiform writing work? We hope that this reading will be enjoyable! Don’t worry about remembering specific names and dates. Instead, try to mark a few points that interest, puzzle, or surprise you.

MEDIEVAL WORLD HISTORY (10th Grade Students)

Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tse (ISBN: 9780872202320): The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Lao Tzu (or Laozi). The text's authorship, date of composition, and date of compilation are debated. The oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC, but modern scholarship dates other parts of the text as having been written—or at least compiled—later than the earliest portions of the Zhuangzi. The Tao Te Ching, along with the Zhuangzi, is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism, and was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China. Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has spread widely outside East Asia, and it is among the most translated works in world literature.

UNITED STATES HISTORY (11th & some 12th Grade Students)

Please read William Cronon's “ethno-ecological” history of New England: Changes of the Land (ISBN: 978-0809016341). Taking paper notes on a copy from the library or an e-book is just fine). This profound and revolutionary book explores how Native Americans transformed the environment before contact with Europeans—and how the changing economy of the 17th century led to an ecological transformation. I encourage you to read the whole book, but if you want a shorter version, read chapters 4, 5, and 8. There is an optional, extra-credit assignment here to help you read actively, looking for the author’s argument amidst the detail (a skill we’ll try to practice in the coming year!) This book looks drier than it actually is—and reading actively may help you uncover the quite radical claims hidden within.

UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865 (11th & some 12th Grade Students)

For students in United States History since 1865, you should supplement what we will be learning in this course with Jill Lepore's sweeping history of the United States, These Truths (ISBN: 978-0-393-63524-9). You are only responsible for the first 300 pages. If you would like to use it to start an AP study guide for the spring, you can use this option and extra-credit document.

WORLD SINCE 1945 (12th Grade Students)

Voltaire: A Life by Ian Davidson (ISBN: 978-1605982878): Voltaire was arguably the single most influential thinker of the Enlightenment. Although he lived out his life (1694-1778) under the monarchy, he was later claimed as a hero by the leaders of the French Revolution. As you read Davidson’s lively biography, first see what you can learn about the political and social realities of life under the old regime. For instance, how did authors make money? How did censorship work? How did French nobles conduct their extramarital affairs? Next, pay attention to the events that became part of the narrative of the Enlightenment. For instance, how and why did the trial of Jean Calas become notorious? Please read the Note to the Reader and Chapters 1-9, 12, 17, 22, 25-29, and 33. As you read, mark  points that interest, puzzle, or surprise you. You will draw on this book for one of our early writing assignments.

ECONOMICS (12th Grade Students)

Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan (ISBN: 9780393337648): Finally! A book about economics that won’t put you to sleep. In fact, you won’t be able to put this bestseller down. In our challenging economic climate, this perennial favorite of students and general readers is more than a good read, it’s a necessary investment—with a blessedly sure rate of return. Demystifying buzzwords, laying bare the truths behind oft-quoted numbers, and answering the questions you were always too embarrassed to ask, the breezy Naked Economics gives readers the tools they need to engage with pleasure and confidence in the deeply relevant, not so dismal science.

CITY OF BOSTON REDUX (12th Grade Students)

Common Ground by Anthony Lucas (ISBN: 9780394746166): Winner of 3 different awards, this is a story of the busing crisis in Boston. The book traces the history of three families: the working-class African-American Twymons, the working-class Irish McGoffs, and the middle-class Yankee Divers. It gives brief genealogical histories of each families, focusing on how the events they went through illuminated Boston history, before narrowing its focus to the racial tension of the 1960s and the 1970s. Through their stories, Common Ground focuses on racial and class conflicts in two Boston neighborhoods: the working-class Irish-American enclave of Charlestown and the uneasily integrated South End.

Creative Writing (142)

Ancient History (201)

Medieval World History (202)

United States History (203)

United States History since 1865 (204)

City of Boston REDUX (FOR RISING SENIORS ONLY)

City of Boston (221)

Modern European History (232)

world since 1945 (247)

MESOAMERICA (234)

Economics (231)

ART HISTORY (433)

Newly offered course. Course books TBD by Ms. Dale (mdale@commschool.org). Information to come closer to the beginning of the academic year.

The Nature and Purpose of Education (401)

Biology 1 (501)

Biology 2 (502)

Chemistry 1 Advanced (521)

No required textbooks as of this year.

Chemistry 1 (522)

No required textbooks as of this year.

Chemistry 2 (523)

Computer Science 1–4

Physics 1 (541)

Physics 1 Accelerated (551)

Physics 1 Advanced (552)

Physics 2 (553) 

NEUROSCIENCE

No required textbook for neuroscience. 

Science & Arts of Materials

No required textbook for materials. 

• TI-84 plus calculator*
• 3-ring binders, 1" minimum, different colors, with front and back pockets
• Loose-leaf paper and/or notebooks
• Graph paper
• Dividers
• A pouch with a zipper and hole punch to fit into binder (for those in Ancient History)
• Compass and ruler (for those in Geometry or Geometry Advanced)
• Pens
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Erasers
• Pencil case

Many Commonwealth teachers, particularly those who teach 9th grade, have specific requests for how students should organize their course materials (notes, papers, handouts, tests, etc.), and they will go over their preferences in class when school begins.

* Commonwealth recommends that all students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator for science and math coursework, particularly by the time they reach junior year. Other graphing calculators, such as any TI-83 or TI-84, or similar models made by other companies, are acceptable. Before purchasing an alternative calculator to the TI-84 Plus, please check the CollegeBoard’s yearly updated SAT- and AP Exam–approved calculator lists.