Incoming Grade 6
Choose any TWO Newbery titles plus the required novel Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
- We will discuss and assess Stargirl in September.
- Respond to a prompt for each Newbery book.
- Check out this link for suggested Newbery titles: http://www.goodreads.com/award/show/21-newbery-medal
Each prompt:
- has the date and the topic of your letter on the first lines.
- is error-free (proofread before submitting).
- contains at least one quote and/or specifics from the text to support what you write (tell and show).
- is thoughtfully written and reflects deep thinking.
- must be 1.5 spacing, typed, and at least one page in length.
- Please do not repeat the same topic.
- Be mindful that these entries are not summaries of what you read. You will not receive credit for summaries or retellings. I look forward to learning more about you through your independent reading selections and entries.
- Something that surprised you or that you found interesting and why
- What you like or dislike about the book and why
- An interesting or important character and why
- How the main character changes throughout the novel
- Parts of the novel that puzzle you or that make you ask questions - what are your questions?
- Your thoughts about the theme of the novel
- What you notice about the characters, such as what makes them act as they do
- Why you think the author chose this title and why
- Your predictions and whether they are right - you may need to revisit this in two entries
- How the information in the novel fits with what you already know - be specific
- How the book reminds you of yourself, people you know, or of something that happened in your life
- The ending and your feelings about it - be specific
- The language the author uses and whether or not it is effective - provide examples
- What you like or dislike about the author’s writing and why
- Whether you would recommend this novel and why
- What you would change about this novel, if anything, and why
- Whether the book is easy, just right, or challenging for you and how you know
- How the setting affects characters
- How the author builds suspense
- What you want to remember about this novel and why
Incoming Grade 7
Choose any TWO Newbery titles plus the required novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
- We will discuss and assess The Outsiders in September.
- Respond to a prompt for each Newbery book.
- Check out this link for suggested Newbery titles: http://www.goodreads.com/award/show/21-newbery-medal
Each prompt:
- has the date and the topic of your letter on the first lines.
- is error-free (proofread before submitting).
- contains at least one quote and/or specifics from the text to support what you write (tell and show).
- is thoughtfully written and reflects deep thinking.
- must be 1.5 spacing, typed, and at least one page in length.
- Please do not repeat the same topic.
- Be mindful that these entries are not summaries of what you read. You will not receive credit for summaries or retellings. I look forward to learning more about you through your independent reading selections and entries.
- Something that surprised you or that you found interesting and why
- What you like or dislike about the book and why
- An interesting or important character and why
- How the main character changes throughout the novel
- Parts of the novel that puzzle you or that make you ask questions - what are your questions?
- Your thoughts about the theme of the novel
- What you notice about the characters, such as what makes them act as they do
- Why you think the author chose this title and why
- Your predictions and whether they are right - you may need to revisit this in two entries
- How the information in the novel fits with what you already know - be specific
- How the book reminds you of yourself, people you know, or of something that happened in your life
- The ending and your feelings about it - be specific
- The language the author uses and whether or not it is effective - provide examples
- What you like or dislike about the author’s writing and why
- Whether you would recommend this novel and why
- What you would change about this novel, if anything, and why
- Whether the book is easy, just right, or challenging for you and how you know
- How the setting affects characters
- How the author builds suspense
- What you want to remember about this novel and why
Incoming Grade 8 - TWO Parts
Part 1: Independent Reading
Choose THREE Newbery titles. There is no assigned title this summer.
- Respond to a prompt for each Newbery book.
- Check out this link for suggested Newbery titles: http://www.goodreads.com/award/show/21-newbery-medal
Each prompt:
- has the date and the topic of your letter on the first lines.
- is error-free (proofread before submitting).
- contains at least one quote and/or specifics from the text to support what you write (tell and show).
- is thoughtfully written and reflects deep thinking.
- must be 1.5 spacing, typed, and at least one page in length.
- Please do not repeat the same topic.
- Be mindful that these entries are not summaries of what you read. You will not receive credit for summaries or retellings. I look forward to learning more about you through your independent reading selections and entries.
- Something that surprised you or that you found interesting and why
- What you like or dislike about the book and why
- An interesting or important character and why
- How the main character changes throughout the novel
- Parts of the novel that puzzle you or that make you ask questions - what are your questions?
- Your thoughts about the theme of the novel
- What you notice about the characters, such as what makes them act as they do
- Why you think the author chose this title and why
- Your predictions and whether they are right - you may need to revisit this in two entries
- How the information in the novel fits with what you already know - be specific
- How the book reminds you of yourself, people you know, or of something that happened in your life
- The ending and your feelings about it - be specific
- The language the author uses and whether or not it is effective - provide examples
- What you like or dislike about the author’s writing and why
- Whether you would recommend this novel and why
- What you would change about this novel, if anything, and why
- Whether the book is easy, just right, or challenging for you and how you know
- How the setting affects characters
- How the author builds suspense
- What you want to remember about this novel and why
Part 2: Secondary School Essays
Most schools require an essay of between 200-250 words. These prompts were taken from actual secondary school applications. 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.
- 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.
- 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.