Somerset Academy South Homestead
Summer Reader
2014 Issue
Importance of Summer Reading
Robert Serna, Principal
Jessica Mesa, Lead Teacher
Research Shows:

Students who read over the summer do better in
school in the fall.

“Reading a lot” is one of the most powerful methods of
increasing fluency, vocabulary, comprehension.


Increased family engagement in educational programs
is linked with increases in child reading achievement
and other academic successes.
8 out of 10 studies indicate students who read for fun
outperformed those who did not.
Parent Tips
 Read with your child
 Encourage writing
 Limit TV & video games
 Visit
museums
“Books
are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no
batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I
wonder is why everybody doesn't carry a book around for
those inevitable dead spots in life.”
― Stephen King
"Children are made readers on the laps
of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald
Inside this
issue:
Secondary
Reading
2
Secondary
Assignments
2
11th Assignment
3
12th Assignment
4
Page 2
Secondary Selection
Summer Reader
2014 Issue
Secondary Reading Selections
Sixth Grade– Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry
Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool Seventh Grade–
Eighth Grade– The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Speak by Laurie Anderson Ninth Grade–
Tenth Grade– Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Road by Cormac McCarthy Eleventh Grade–
Twelfth Grade– The Hunger Artist & Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Secondary Assignments
(Due the second week of school)
All students are to complete the assignment below. They are also to annotate the text to prepare for a
reading comprehension test. The test will be given the second week of school and will consist of questions pertaining to plot and extended writing responses.
Grades 6-10
1) Illustrate the important events of the plot in a comic strip format. Comic strip should have a
minimum of 8 panels that include dialogue AND caption for each. (on 1/2 poster 13X24
inches)
2) On the back of the poster, complete or attach a written description for each panel
Be sure to follow these guidelines:

Panels in chronological order: Beginning (setting), Middle (Conflict), End (Resolution)

Cause and effect events that develop the plot

Include quotes or dialogue

Scenes should demonstrate main character’s traits

Write descriptions in complete sentences
Page 4
Summer Reader
2014 Issue
Eleventh Assignments
Secondary Assignments cont’d
(Due the second week of school)
Eleventh Grade
1) Annotate the entirety of the novel. Annotations should be insightful
comments, definitions of unknown words, and identification of literary devices (metaphor, simile, allusions, symbolism, etc.).
You may do this in two ways:
1.Write in the Margins of your book
2.Or you may choose to use post-it notes that clearly
indicate what section of text you are discussing.
- Please note that annotating is not the same as summarizing! You must analyze the text; make comments on plot, characters and the
author’s use of style and literary devices.
2) Select three scenes at various points in the novel that you feel capture the
themes, symbols and overall plot of the story. For each scene:
1. Create a detailed neat illustration on a poster board, Your
drawing or digital representation must be a minimum of 1/4 of a
poster board in size. Feel free to use cut outs from magazines, or pictures/ clip art from the internet however your illustrations must capture
the scene you select fully.
2. Include a caption for your scene in the form of a short para
graph that explains the scene as well as comments on its importance
to the novel as a whole. These short paragraphs should be in 3rd
person point of view, contain a topic sentence and be free from
grammatical errors.
3.Include page numbers of the scene illustrated!
BE PREPARED TO WRITE AN ESSAY THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
ON:
The Road—Cormac McCarthy
11th grade HONORS: Must also read “The Lone
Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” by
Sherman Alexie and annotate the entirety
of the novel.
Page 5
Twelfth Grade Assignments
Summer Reader
2014 Issue
Secondary Assignments
(Due the second week of school)
Twelfth GradeThe Metamorphosis is aptly titled to reflect the physical change in main character Gregor Samsa. A change also occurs in each of Gregor’s family members because of his
transformation. You are to detail the change of each family member, (Grete [sister]; Mr.
Samsa [father], and Mrs. Samsa [mother]). You can focus on emotional changes and
socioeconomic changes.
The assignment should consist of AT LEAST two paragraphs dedicated to each family
member, (A TOTAL of six paragraphs MINIMUM. Do not just adhere to the fivesentence per paragraph rule. I want full, quality writing that reflects you have read and
understand the story).
Paper must be typed, double spaced, and only written in 12-point font, Times New Roman. Margins must be one-inch all around. Failure to adhere to the following formatting rules will automatically deduct the initial grade to a 70%.
As you read the story and prepare to write the paper, consider the following questions:
How did each family member treat Gregor at the beginning of the story and how do they
come to treat him later? How does their financial situation contribute to the way they see
Gregor at the end? Think of the fact that Gregor was the primary bread winner before he
changed and now his family must work to support itself. How do the strangers that intersect in the household’s life affect the family’s perception of Gregor. And finally, what are
the final events that push Gregor away into his fatal depression? Obviously, do not just
limit yourself to these questions. These are starting off points.
Make this good, make it count. This is worth two grades and will be due the first of the
school year by 2:30, regardless of the period I have you in. THIS ASSIGNMENT
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE FIRST FRIDAY.
Have a safe and happy summer
from
Administration, Faculty, and Staff!