8th Grade Required Summer
Learning Project
Common Core Standards:
ELA: Reading Literature- 8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke
a decision AND 8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and
style.
ELA: Reading Informational Text- 8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text, 8.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas;
provide an objective summary of the text, 8.3 Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through
comparisons, analogies, or categories), 8.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to
conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
Social Studies: Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
Assignment: Students will pick a pair of novels to read over the summer. Each pair represents two different perspectives on the
same time period in United States history. Students will choose a time period that interests them and then read both novels. Then,
choose a main character from each novel and fill out the graphic organizer based on their experiences. Use the information from the
graphic organizer and novels to craft two letters. Pretend that the main characters know each other and have one main character write
to the second main character. Then, have the second main character respond.
Requirements:
Read a pair of novels based on the same time period in U.S. history.
Step One:
Civil War/Slavery
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer
by James L. Swanson
ISBN: 9780439903547
AND
Out of the Dust
By Karen Hesse
ISBN: 9780590371254
AND
Letters from a Slave Girl: The
Story of Harriet Jacobs
By Mary E. Lyons
ISBN:9781416936374
Step Two:
Dust Bowl/Great
Depression
Esperanza Rising
By Pam Munoz Ryan
ISBN:9780439120425
World War II
Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold
Story of Alaska’s WWII
Invasion
By Samantha Seiple
ISBN: 9780545296540
AND
Dead in the Water
By Chris Lynch
(Book Two in his WWII
Series)
ISBN: 9780545522984
Civil Rights
Warriors Don’t Cry
By Melba Pattillo Beals
ISBN: 9781416948827
AND
Brown Girl Dreaming
By Jacqueline Woodson
ISBN: 9780399252518
Modern Native
American Experience
Code Talkers: A Novel
About the Navajo Marines
of World War II
By Joseph Bruchac
ISBN:9780142405963
AND
The Absolutely True Diary
of a Part-Time Indian* By
Sherman Alexie ISBN:
9780316013697
*Contains mature language
and themes
Fill out the graphic organizer to help you organize your thoughts. Make sure you provide details on your graphic
organizer. You are highly encouraged to download a blank copy of the graphic organizer (here) and type in your
answers, however, handwritten copies will be accepted. This will be submitted to your Social Studies teacher.
Step Three:
Pick a main character from each novel and write two letters total, one from each main character.
The two main characters must:
a) Reference personal character experiences from the novels
b) Maintain the same style of writing and tone the characters use in the novels
c) Interact with each other, you may assume they know each other
d) Total word count (including BOTH letters) should be no greater than 1000 words. For example, letter one might equal 460 words
and letter two might equal 540, which would be the maximum 1000 words.
e) Typed in a font that is easy to read, printed on 8.5’’ X 11” printer paper, submitted to Language Arts teacher
Step Four
Use any
salutation1.
here
Present one of your letters to their Language Arts class.
Date
Dear (Name of Character #2),
Type the body of your letter here. Remember to indent your paragraphs.
Use any
closing
here
Sign Off,
(Name of Character #1)
Must
match
time
period
of
novel
Summer Learning Project Graphic Organizer
Novel 1:
Character selected for correspondence:
Setting/Location:
Where does story take place and why is this location significant?
Novel 2:
Character selected for correspondence:
Setting/Location:
Where does story take place and why is this location significant?
Character Background:
Describe the character in detail.
Character Background:
Describe the character in detail.
Compare your two book characters to one another. How are these characters
different?
Compare your two book characters to one another. How are these characters
different?
SIMILARITIES
Personal Experience 1:
Reflect on one experience this character had that shaped his/her worldview.
Summarize the event and explain why/how it shaped this character in a
significant way.
Personal Experience 1:
Reflect on one experience this character had that shaped his/her worldview.
Summarize the event and explain why/how it shaped this character in a
significant way.
Personal Experience 2:
Reflect on a second experience this character had that his/her worldview.
Summarize the event and explain why/how it shaped this character in a
significant way.
Personal Experience 2:
Reflect on a second experience this character had that shaped his/her
worldview.
Summarize the event and explain why/how it shaped this character in a
significant way.
Personal Experience 3:
Reflect on a third experience this character had that shaped his/her worldview
Summarize the event and explain why/how it shaped this character in a
significant way.
Personal Experience 3:
Reflect on a third experience this character had that shaped his/her worldview
Summarize the event and explain why/how it shaped this character in a
significant way.
Style/Tone:
Describe the author’s style. What is the tone of the novel?
Style/Tone:
Describe the author’s style. What is the tone of the novel?
Historical Contextualization:
What time period is the novel set in? How does this shape the story? Is this a
different historical context from the second novel you selected? Explain how
these periods were similar or dissimilar.
Historical Contextualization:
What time period is the novel set in? How does this shape the story? Is this a
different historical context from the second novel you selected? Explain how
these periods were similar or dissimilar.
Graphic Organizer
Requirements
Completion
Accuracy
Outstanding
10
All parts of the
graphic organizer are
completed.
All parts accurate and
student goes above
expectations.
Final Total
Very Good
8
At least 12 sections
are completed
Capable
6
At least 8 sections
are completed
Not There Yet
4
Less than 8 sections
are completed.
Not Present
2
Missing
At least 12 sections
are accurate
At least 8 sections
are accurate
Less than 8 sections
are accurate.
Missing
______ /20 = ______%
Letters
Requirement
Focus
Organization
Voice
Conventions
Word Choice
Exceptional
10
Fully addresses the prompt. (both
letters)
Provides unique and thoughtful
details about experiences from the
novel throughout the letters
Reveals profound insight into the
character.
Shows a clear, continuous
connection to the recipient of the
letter.
Organization enhances the main
idea of the letter.
The order of information is
compelling, with use of
transitions.
The writer speaks directly to the
reader in a compelling and
engaging way.
Uses correct format for the
complete project including letters
with at least 1000 words.
Typed in a font that is easy to read
and fits with characters.
Vocabulary is powerful and
engaging, creating mental
imagery.
Capable
8
Addresses the prompt. (both
letters)
Details about personal
experiences from the novel are
present
Insight into the character is
provided.
A connection to the recipient is
present for most of the letters.
Developing
5
Only partially addresses
the prompt.
(1 letter)
Provides few details on
personal experiences
from the novel, but
insight into character is
difficult to find.
Not present
2
The prompt is
not addressed
Organization is smooth with a
few bumps here and there due
to a lack of transitions.
Organization is
problematic, though a
structure is emerging.
No sign of any
organization
The writer seems sincere, but
not fully engaged or involved
with the reader.
Mainly uses correct format for
the complete project with
letters and has 500-800 words.
Typed in a legible font.
The writer’s voice is
hard to recognize.
Vocabulary is functional, but
lacks energy.
Vocabulary is basic with
no mental images
present
Author seems
distant or
uninvolved
Not typed
Incorrect
format and
insufficient
word count.
Vocabulary is
limited.
A few elements of
correct format. Word
count not reached.
Font is not easy to read.
Up to 5 bonus points awarded for creativity such as: unique stationary that is
appropriate to the time period, illustrations within the letter, color, etc.
Final Total:
_______ /50 = _______ %