Middle School Summer 2015, 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
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..
Complete the Stargirl study guide questions.
We will discuss and assess Stargirl in September.
In September you will complete a poster for one of your independent books. Details to follow.
For your other independent book, select one important quote from the novel. Type it up, include the page number, the speaker and the audience, and be prepared to explain its significance in an in-class essay when you return to school in the fall.
GRADE 6 STARGIRL QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Be sure to explain all of your answers with specifics. Tell and show.
Chapter 1
1. What is your initial impression of Stargirl?
Chapter 2
2. Why do students want Stargirl to be “fake”?
Chapter 3
3. Explain the following quote: “She had no friends, yet she was the friendliest person in the school” (p. 15).
Chapter 4
4. Are Hillari and Wayne role models for the students at MAHS? Are they what the others students should want to be like?
Chapter 5
5. Why is Hillari’s birthday an important event?
Chapter 7
6. Explain the following quote: “You’ll know her more by your questions that by her answers. Keep looking at her long enough. One day you might see someone you know” (p. 35).
Chapter 8
7. By December first of the year, Stargirl has become the most popular person in school. Describe what other students do to show admiration for her.
8. What does Hillari do to cause trouble for Stargirl?
Chapter 9
9. “It was a golden age, those few weeks in December and January. How could I know that when the end came, I would be in the middle of it?” (p. 42) What went wrong and why?
Chapter 10
10. Why did Leo resist putting Stargirl on Hot Seat? Why does he finally agree?
Chapter 11
11. How does the student body at MAHS change as their basketball team continues winning?
Chapter 12
12. Why does Leo say secretly, “I wished no one would watch” (p. 57)?
13. Why is the action that takes place on during Stargirl’s interview considered “the greatest moment in Hot Seat history”?
Chapter 13
14. Why is the first line of the chapter: “In less than a minute, everything returned to normal” so important?
Chapter 14
15. Why does the crowd have such a cruel reaction to Stargirl that someone throws a tomato in her face?
Chapter 15
16. Why does Leo try to avoid Stargirl after receiving her love note?
Chapter 16
17. How does Leo feel about Stargirl at the beginning of this chapter?
Chapter 17
18. Does Leo and Stargirl’s first date fit with their personalities?
19. “But something did happen. A small thing. I was aware of stepping over a line, of taking one step into a territory new to me (p. 94). Does Leo venture into any other “new territories”? Explain.
Chapter 18
20. How are the kids in school now acting towards Stargirl AND Leo?
21. Why doesn’t Leo notice this earlier?
22. Compare Stargirl and Leo. Use the chapters final two paragraphs to guide you.
Chapter 19
23. Leo wants to know why Stargirl can’t be like everyone else. Would everyone’s problems with her disappear if she’d just conform?
24. “They hate her” (p. 103). Why?
25. What is the importance of Senor Saguaro? Why is he consulted as an expert?
26. Senor Saguaro “asks” Leo whose affection he values more: his peers’ or Stargirl’s (p. 104). Leo doesn’t answer, but how do you think he would answer and why?
Chapter 20
27. Who do you think posts the scores on the roadrunner (first paragraph)? Why?
28. What does Stargirl’s desire to be a “silver-lunch-truck driver” show about her personality?
29. Explain why Stargirl doesn’t need to receive credit for her good deeds.
Chapter 21
30. What does the section about “Odd Jobs - Ask for Mike” say about Stargirl’s character?
Chapter 22
31. What does Stargirl do for Peter Sinkowitz? Why?
Chapter 23
32. Is Stargirl the reason the Mica Electrons weren’t on their way to a state championship?
Chapter 24
33. What does Leo mean when he says, “But I did care” (p. 132)? Why does he feel this way?
Chapter 25
34. Leo makes Stargirl believe that to become part of a group, she must be similar to its members. Is this true? Explain.
Chapter 26
35. What has happened to Stargirl? Describe her.
Chapter 27
36. Why are the moas and mockingbirds important to the novel? Whom might they symbolize?
Chapter 28
37. What is the significance of Leo now calling Stargirl by her given name of Susan?
38. Why did the audience go wild after Stargirl’s final speech?
Chapter 29
39. Why does no one congratulate Susan?
40. What does it say about Dori that she wrote “Susan” on her congratulatory poster?
Chapter 30
41. Why does Stargirl revert to her former self?
42. Although Leo wants to defend Stargirl and stop the shunning, he doesn’t. What do you think about him at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 31
43. Why does Stargirl return Hillari’s slap with a kiss?
Chapter 33
44. What do you think is written on the crumpled paper? Why?
Incoming grade 7
Choose TWO independent titles plus the required novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
In September you will create a book jacket for one of your independent titles. Details to follow.
For your other independent book, select one important quote from the novel. Type it up, include the page number, the speaker and the audience, and be prepared to explain its significance in an in-class essay when you return to school in the fall.
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.
In September you will create a digital media presentation (prezi, imovie, google presentation) for one of your independent titles. Details to follow.
For your other independent book, select one important quote from the novel. Type it up, include the page number, the speaker and the audience, and be prepared to explain its significance in an in-class essay when you return to school in the fall.
EIGHTH GRADE SUMMER WRITING ASSIGNMENT
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.
type and 1.5 spacing
Include the prompt at the beginning of your essay.
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 FOR GRADE 8
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.
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?
You can change the world; what is the first thing you will do and why?
Learning experiences come in many forms. Describe an experience in your life that had a profound effect. What did you learn from that experience?
Describe your neighborhood and/or upbringing and explain how it shaped you.
Imagine that it is a rainy weekend day. Describe what you would do and why you would choose these activities.
Describe a favorite place in your home; explain how this area reflects you.
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.
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.
What is your favorite book? Write a review and convince your audience to read the book.
Describe a person you admire a great deal.
What makes you the interesting person that you are? Be sure you include the qualities that you like best about yourself.
Discuss a critical problem that faces today’s society and how you would solve it.
What is the best advice you have ever received? Describe a time when this advice came in handy.
Describe an important experience/event that has helped shape your life.
Describe the personal goals you have set for yourself. Discuss how you plan to achieve them.
You have the opportunity to speak with any person living, dead, or fictional. Who would it be and why?
Pretend you are overhearing the admission committee discussing your application. What does the conversation sound like?
Choose three words that best describe you and explain why they do.
When are you the most successful? Explain.
When are you most excited about learning? Explain.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? Explain.
CALENDAR FOR ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
June 2015
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Student Name ____________________ Parent Signature _____________________ Date ______
