Friday, June 6, 2014

English 6, 7, 8: 2014 Middle School Summer Reading

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Middle School Summer 2014,  Reading
The Country School, Madison, Connecticut
For all middle school students, included here you will find a TCS Summer Reading Calendar.  Print it out and complete the following requirements.
Middle School Student Requirements
  • Read an average of 20 minutes per day for an average of 5 days per week.
  • Mark the calendar with a check mark each day that you read.  EACH CHECK EQUALS 20 MINUTES, so if you read 60 minutes one day, put three check marks in that day on the calendar.
  • On the back of the calendar, write the titles, authors, and genres of the books you are reading.
  • Students are required to bring in your completed calendar to school (signed by a parent) on the first day of school. See the list below for your specific grade-level assignments.
  • In addition, we recommend that you participate in your local library’s or bookstore’s reading program.  These programs are highly motivating, and student reading abilities often skyrocket by the end of the summer because of the increased reading practice.  Best of all, the programs are fun!
Incoming grade 6 - Choose TWO independent titles plus the required novel Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli..
  • We will discuss and assess Stargirl in September.
  • For your two independent titles, you are to complete a total of FOUR journal entries (two entries per book).  Use the prompts attached here.  You will not receive any credit for summaries.  You must attend to a prompt, not a retelling  of your reading, so choose your prompt and keep your focus.  Remember to tell AND show with your writing.  Stretch yourself by including rich vocabulary in your entries.  
  • Each entry must be AT LEAST ONE PAGE in length, typed 1.5 spacing.
  • In September you will create a poster based on one of your independent books.


Incoming grade 7 - Choose TWO independent titles plus the required novel  The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
  • We will discuss and assess The Outsiders in September.
  • For your two independent titles, you are to complete a total of FOUR journal entries (two entries per book); the prompts are following.  You will not receive any credit for summaries.  You must attend to a prompt, not a retelling  of your reading, so choose your prompt and keep your focus.   Remember to tell AND show with your writing.   Stretch yourself by including rich vocabulary in your entries.  Underline those words that you want to showcase in your entries.
  • Each entry must be AT LEAST ONE PAGE in length, typed 1.5 spacing.
  • In September you will create a book jacket for one of your independent titles.
Grades 6 and 7 - 20 Journal Entry Topics
  • You may not answer the same one twice.  
  • Select a prompt and maintain your focus.  These prompts must be 1.5 spacing, typed, and at least one page in length.
  • Do not retell or summarize.   You will not receive credit for summaries or retellings.
  1. Something that surprised you or that you found interesting and why
  2. What you like or dislike about the book and why
  3. An interesting or important character and why
  4. How the main character changes throughout the novel
  5. Parts of the novel that puzzle you or that make you ask questions - what are your questions?
  6. Your thoughts about the theme of the novel
  7. What you notice about the characters, such as what makes them act as they do
  8. Why you think the author chose this title and why
  9. Your predictions and whether they are right - you may need to revisit this in two entries
  10. How the information in the novel fits with what you already know - be specific
  11. How the book reminds you of yourself, people you know, or of something that happened in your life
  12. The ending and your feelings about it - be specific
  13. The language the author uses and whether or not it is effective - provide examples
  14. What you like or dislike about the author’s writing and why
  15. Whether you would recommend this novel and why
  16. What you would change about this novel, if anything, and why
  17. Whether the book is easy, just right, or challenging for you and how you know
  18. How the setting affects characters
  19. How the author builds suspense
  20. What you want to remember about this novel and why.

Incoming grade 8 -  Choose TWO independent titles plus the required novel A Separate Peace.
  • We will discuss and assess A Separate Peace in September.
  • You will write TWO typed final draft school essays.
  • For your two independent titles, you are to complete one book recommendation for each title.
    • Include the title, author, and genre of the novel you are reading.
    • Start with a hook to grab your readers.  Find a fantastic quote from the story that includes vivid language.
    • Write a brief summary of the story, without spoiling the ending. (one paragraph)
    • Explain why you enjoy this novel and why others should read it. (one paragraph)
    • Be specific.  Include details to support what you write!
EIGHTH GRADE SUMMER JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT 2014
Most schools require an  essay of between 200-250 words. These prompts were taken from actual secondary school applications from  2011- 2012. While specific topics vary over the years, essentially the schools try to get a better idea of you are. They always ask that you write HONESTLY.
To better prepare you for this task of self-examination, we are asking you to begin thinking and writing about these topics early.
During the summer you are to write a response to at least TWO of these prompts. You will receive full credit for doing it thoughtfully and thoroughly. Each essay is worth the value of a major test, 100 points.
  1. type and 1.5 spacing
  2. Include the prompt at the beginning of your essay.
  3. If you prefer, some schools have a sample application online.  You may substitute that prompt for one of the following.  If you do so, please indicate the school from which you downloaded the prompt.
PROMPTS
  1. Please describe your involvement in activities both in and out of school.  These may include clubs, hobbies, committees, teams, performing arts, student government or community service.
  1. Describe something you have done that makes you proud, an important decision that you have made, or a challenging situation you had to manage. Why is this experience significant to you?
  1. You can change the world; what is the first thing you will do and why?
  1. Learning experiences come in many forms. Describe an experience in your life that had a profound effect.  What did you learn from that experience?
  1. Describe your neighborhood and/or upbringing and explain how it shaped you.
  1. Imagine that it is a rainy weekend day. Describe what you would do and why you would choose these activities.
  1. Describe a favorite place in your home; explain how this area reflects you.
  1. Imagine it is 20 years from now. Write a letter to a teacher, coach, mentor or other influential a person in your current life and describe how he or she has impacted your future.
  1. Consider a recent political or social event that is important to you. Describe the event and why it is meaningful to you or how it has changed you.
  1. What is your favorite book?  Write a review and convince your audience to read the book.
  1. Describe a person you admire a great deal.
  1. What makes you the interesting person that you are? Be sure you include the qualities that you like best about yourself.
  1. Discuss a critical problem that faces today’s society and how you would solve it.
  1. What is the best advice you have ever received?  Describe a time when this advice came in handy.
  1. Describe an important experience/event that has helped shape your life.
  1. Describe the personal goals you have set for yourself.  Discuss how you plan to achieve them.
  1. You have the opportunity to speak with any person living, dead, or fictional.  Who would it be and why?
  1. Pretend you are overhearing the admission committee discussing your application.  What does the conversation sound like?
  1. Choose three words that best describe you and explain why they do.
  1. When are you the most successful?  Explain.
  1. When are you most excited about learning?  Explain.
  1. What is your proudest accomplishment to date?  Explain.
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Student Name ____________________ Parent Signature _____________________ Date ______
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