Markham Woods Middle School
6th Grade Summer Reading
Advanced and Standard Language Arts: Students will pick one of the following books to read: Gregor the Overlander,
Kingdom Keepers, or Wringer. Pick one character from the novel and create a character poster. Use pictures and
quotations to describe the character as if he/she were a real person. For example, I picked a picture of Harry Potter
because I think my character and Harry Potter would be friends because they are both loyal. I picked a picture of this band
because I think my character would like their music because it's energetic like my character. I picked American Eagle
because my character would..... etc. Pick pictures that would describe your character and be sure to clearly explain your
connection or symbolism. On your poster, be sure to also include the conflict in the story, if it is resolved and how, and
which character is the most important to the story and why.
This assignment is due to your Language Arts teacher on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Be prepared to discuss the plot of
the novel in class.
Gifted Language Arts: Students may pick one of the following books: Touching Spirit Bear, Matched, or The Giver. In a
shoe box, create a scene that represents the book you chose. The shoe box should be full. On an index card, briefly explain
why you chose this scene. You must also create a character poster that would depict the character as a person. For
example, this character might shop at American Eagle because…, This character might like to go to see the movie Jaws
because....This character would be friends with Harry Potter because…, This character would listen to this band
because..... You may only pick one character to do this on. The poster must be covered. You must use pictures, but have
captions explaining the pictures under each one. On the poster, include the central conflicts in the story, describe how the
character changes during the story and why, what conflicts are resolved and why, what you consider to be the two most
important scenes and why, and any internal conflicts one character has during the story.
This assignment is due to your Language Arts teacher on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Be prepared to discuss the plot of
the novel in class.
Markham Woods Middle School
7th Grade Gifted Required Reading
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card OR Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Purchasing this novel is optional; we will notify the local library of our required summer reading novel.
However, if you wish to purchase this novel, we will also notify the local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and
Books-A-Million so that they can best accommodate you. This novel is also available in electronic form by the
Kindle, iBooks, and Nook applications.
Assignment: Choose one of the above novels. Please type your assignment in 12 point Times New Roman font
– double space.
Your assignment must have a cover sheet with your name, title and author, date of completion.
Make a list of the main characters – discuss the types of characters they are (round or flat, static or dynamic)
and why. What type of characterization did the author use? (direct or indirect) . Support your answers with
evidence from the text.
In a well-written paragraph discuss the types of internal and external conflicts found in the book. Support your
explanations with details from the text.
Make a list of three quotes that you thought were significant in the novel. Explain the significance of each.
Identify important themes of the novel and apply these to the world we live in. Be prepared to share your
findings. I look forward to class discussions.
This assignment is due to your Language Arts teacher the first Friday of the 2012-2013 school year.
Markham Woods Middle School
8th Grade Required Summer Reading Assignment – Standard and Advanced
The purpose of this assignment is to assess student reading comprehension and written language skills.
This summer you are required to read the novel, Bystander by James Preller. Purchasing this novel is optional; we will
notify the local library of our required summer reading novel. However, if you wish to purchase this novel, we will also
notify the local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million so that they can best accommodate you. This
novel is also available in electronic form by the Kindle, iBooks, and Nook applications.
Directions: Once you have read the novel, formulate a four-paragraph essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a
conclusion. This essay will demonstrate your knowledge and analysis of the novel. You may either type (12 pt. font) or
hand write in blue or black ink. Use the following format as you compose your essay.




Paragraph one should include an exciting opening sentence (hook), transition sentences (if necessary), and thesis
statement.
Paragraph two should explain how and why one of the main characters changes throughout the novel and include
specific quotes to support your thoughts.
Paragraph three should discuss the various conflicts (internal and external) that occur throughout the novel and
how these conflicts impact the protagonist and other characters.
Paragraph four should restate your thesis and summarize the main points of paragraphs two and three.
Grading: The rubric below will assist you in writing your essay. A score of a 6 is the target goal for ALL eighth graders.
Score
Focus
Organization
Support
Conventions
6
Focused and
purposeful and
reflects insight into
the writing
situation.
Conveys a sense of completeness
and wholeness with adherence to
main idea. Pattern provides for a
logical progression of ideas.
Substantial, specific, relevant, concrete.
Shows commitment to and involvement
with the subject. May use creative
writing strategies. Mature command of
language and freshness of expression.
Sentence structure is varied and
complete.
Few, if any, convention errors in
mechanics, usage, punctuation, and
spelling
5
Focused on the
topic.
Organizational pattern provides a
logical progression of ideas (some
lapses may occur). Conveys sense
of completeness or wholeness.
Ample support. Mature command of
language, including precision in word
choice. Variation in sentence structure,
and with rare exceptions, sentences are
complete.
Generally follows the conventions of
mechanics, usage, and spelling.
4
Focused on the
topic and may
include extraneous
or loosely related
material.
Organizational pattern is
apparent, although some lapses
may occur. Exhibits some sense
of completeness or wholeness.
Support, including word choice, is
adequate although development may be
uneven. Little variation in sentence
structure, and most sentences are
complete.
Generally follows the conventions of
mechanics, usage, and spelling.
3
Generally focused
but may contain
extraneous or
loosely related
material.
An organizational pattern has
been attempted but may lack a
sense of completeness or
wholeness.
Some support included, but
development is erratic. Word choice is
adequate but may be limited,
predictable, or occasionally vague. Little,
if any variation in sentence structure.
Knowledge of the conventions of
mechanics and usage is usually
demonstrated, and commonly used words
are usually spelled correctly.
This assignment is due to your Language Arts teacher on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Be prepared to discuss the plot of
the novel in class. Enjoy the novel 
Markham Woods Middle School
8th Grade Gifted Required Reading
The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
Purchasing this novel is optional; we will notify the local library of our required summer reading novel.
However, if you wish to purchase this novel, we will also notify the local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and
Books-A-Million so that they can best accommodate you. This novel is also available in electronic form by the
Kindle, iBooks, and Nook applications.
The Illustrated Man is a book of eighteen science fiction short stories that explore the nature of humankind.
The stories are mostly unrelated, but many demonstrate how the future, albeit technologically advanced, reveal
how human beings remain virtually unchanged, except for the few examples where humankind has learned
from previous generations.
Assignment: Please type your assignment in 12 point Times New Roman font – double space. Create a cover
page with the correct MLA heading and title.
You will read each short story; however, your assignment is to respond to only six selections that you feel are
important, insightful, relevant, and worthy of discussion.
Respond in the following ways:
Write a one-sentence summary for each story you have selected.
Give a description of the major characters and what motivates them (consider internal and external conflicts).
Use evidence from the text.
Explain how setting plays a role.
Identify major themes and explain how these themes relate to you or to our world.
Identify any symbolism, if applicable.
Select one significant quote from each of the six stories. Explain the significance using evidence and specific
details from the text.
DO NOT BE VAGUE……………………….DO NOT PLAGIARIZE
This assignment is due to your Language Arts teacher on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Be prepared to discuss the plot of
the novel in class. Enjoy the novel 