Dear Incoming Fifth Grade Pre-AP English Students and Parents:
Welcome to Fifth Grade Pre-AP English! We look forward to meeting all of you next year! In
order to enrich your learning experiences, we have prepared a curriculum that is both
challenging and engaging.
How is Pre-AP different from the regular English classes? Over the course of the year, we will
study novels, short stories, informational text and plays with intensive reading, writing,
and thinking skills. You will be expected to work at a deeper level. In order to be able to
discuss, debate, speculate, hypothesize, and make connections to other works and other
disciplines during class, you will be expected to complete some reading and some prep work
at home.
This summer you will read a book of your choice from a list of books. Included in this letter
is your summer reading assignment directions; please read the directions very carefully
and email the instructional coach if you have any questions. Please remember that we, too,
are on vacation and will not be checking email on a daily basis. We will respond to any
questions as soon as we are able.
This assignment is comprised of comprehension questions and an additional project of your
choice. You will turn in your summer project the second week of school. It is imperative that
you allow yourself enough time to thoroughly read the novel as well as put effort into your
project. This will be your first major grade of the nine weeks.
If possible, students should purchase their own copies of the novel. It is an advantage to be
able to take notes in the margins and underline or highlight notable passages. You may
buy these books cheaply online and find copies at area bookstores such as Half-Price Books.
You may also check out your chosen works from the public library. However, you would not
be able to take notes in the text itself.
Students can expect an assignment or multiple assignments over their summer reading
during the first week(s) of class. Therefore, students must come to the first day of class
having read their selected novel. The projects are due on Monday, August 29, 2016.
We look forward to the outcome of these projects. Enjoy your summer and happy reading!
Instructional Coaches:
Bastrop Intermediate School- Lauren Tucker [email protected]
Cedar Creek Intermediate School- Melissa Rathmann [email protected]
5th Grade Pre-AP Summer Reading Project
This summer you will be responsible for turning in an independent project that will relate to one of the novels below. You
have a choice of projects and books (all students must answer the book questions portion).
You will be graded using a rubric (see attached)
The due date for this project is:
August 29, 2016
Book Questions
Reading Comprehension Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences on a separate sheet of
paper and turn in on the due date for each book report. Please include a title page stapled to your questions. The title
page is a separate piece of paper. Your title page should be the first page that is seen. The second page will have your
questions and answers on it. The questions and answers need to be typed in final draft format.
1. When and where did the story take place?
2. Pick one main character from your story and describe them in detail. What three character traits did he/she
portray and give evidence from the text to support your answer.
3. What problems did the character have to solve and how was it solved?
4. Explain in detail your favorite part and your least favorite part.
5. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Explain your reasoning in detail.
6. Give an example of text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self connections you made while reading.
7. If you could ask any character in this book a question, who would you ask and what would you ask them? Why
would you ask this character that question?
8. Summarize what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story in detail. This should be about
one paragraph for each section of the book.
9. If you were asked to change the title of the book, what would you name it and why?
10. If you could be a character in this book, which character would you want to be and why?
11. If you were to add a chapter to this book, what would happen next?
Book Project Options
Below are your choices for book projects. Some of the projects work better for certain genres.
Please make sure the project option will work with the genre you have selected! Plan carefully!
Story Sequel-Type a two page sequel to the story. (Remember to use final draft format. See the writing tab on my
website for this information!) Use the information you learned about the characters as you read the book.
Newspaper-Create a newspaper with stories describing events that happened in the novel that you read. Summarize the
plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on TWO of your favorite characters, and a comic
relating to the story. Include an editorial about the book, and FOUR advertisements that would relate to the story. Please
refer to a real newspaper for an example.
Scrapbook-Please create a 10 page scrapbook highlighting major events in the book that you read. One page should
highlight the plot, one page for the characters, and one page for the setting. The rest of the pages are to be designed by
you! Remember, you want people to know as much information about the book as possible by making this scrapbook!
Interview-Interview a character from your book. Type at least 15 questions that will give the character the opportunity to
discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. This should be recorded and will be played to the
class on the due date.
Diary- 15 handwritten diary entries (each page should be at least 5-7 sentences long) that one of the story’s main
characters might have kept before, during, or after the story. Remember that the character’s thoughts and feelings are
very important in a diary. Provide information on feelings, thoughts, doodles, conflicts, and dreams of the character you
chose.
Mini Stage- Build a mini stage setting of a scene in the book. Include a one-page typed summary (final draft format) of
what happened at this particular scene and what characters were involved. Remember, the rest of your classmates have
not read the book. You will need to “set up the scene” (give them a little background information) so they will understand
the scene you are describing.
Soundtrack- Create a “soundtrack” for the book. Choose 8 songs that fit the book. Explain how each song’s specific lyrics
relate to specific parts of the book. Discuss the theme, tone, mood, and/or symbolism in the songs as they relate to the
scenes in the book. You should have at least 1 paragraph (5 sentences) of explanation for each song. Include the title,
artist, and lyrics for each song.
You’ve Got Mail- Create FIVE different postcards that highlight the main events of the story. Draw a picture on one side
and explain what the scene illustrates from the story. Pick TWO characters from the book. On one postcard, write a
message to another character. On the other postcard, write a reply message to the other postcard.
Party Time! - Plan a party for the characters in your book. In order to do this, complete each of the following tasks:
design an invitation to the party which would appeal to all the characters, imagine that you are one of the characters and
describe what each of the guests would wear and why, tell what food you would serve and why, games or entertainment
you will provide and why your choices are appropriate, how three of the characters will act at the party, and describe the
type of party.
Compare/Contrast- Compare and Contrast the book from the movie in a one-page typed paper (final draft format). You
must have examples of similarities and differences in your paper. Make sure to use appropriate transitions in your writing.
Examples of transitions are similarly, likewise, on the other hand, however, same, difference, alike, by contrast, although
and both.
Board Game- Using poster board or cardboard, create a board game that relates to the main point of the novel. Include
all of the following: 15 question or trivia cards, game pieces, dice, “How to Play”, characters and settings from the novel.
Word Clouds- Using words/phrases/main ideas/characters from the book you read, create a symbol that represents
something in your book. A minimum of fifty (50) words must be used. Typing is not necessary. No size limit. Please include
a list of words used. Full-color optional.
Book List
Unwanteds
Lisa McMann
Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: The strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university,
and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths. Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is
announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted.
Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret:
Behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime. In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate
their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments.
But it's a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's
bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an
ultimate, magical battle.
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L’engle
Everything is wrong in Meg Murray's life. In school, she's been dropped down to the lowest section of her grade.
She's teased about her five-year-old brother, Charles Wallace, who everyone mistakenly thinks is dumb. Not to mention
that Meg wears braces and glasses and has mouse-brown hair.
Much will be better in her miserable life when her father gets back. But gets back from where? Meg's physicist
father had been experimenting with the fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. One dark and
stormy night, the family is visited by a disheveled heap of a woman named Mrs. Whatsit. Eccentric and brilliant, she will
turn out to be the force who spurs on Meg, Charles Wallace, and their new friend, Calvin O'Keefe, to embark on a
dangerous quest through space to find their father. In doing so, they must travel behind the shadow of an evil power that
is darkening the cosmos.
Before long, the trio discovers that Meg's and Charles Wallace's father is being held prisoner by evil forces on the
planet of Camazotz, an eerie place where complete conformity is expected in exchange for personal freedom. There they
engage in the fight of their lives against a giant disembodied brain named "It." And soon, Charles Wallace must be
rescued, too.
Where the Red Fern Grows
Wilson Rawls
Billy Colman roams the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his bluetick hound and his precious coonhound pup trying
to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest,
captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to
tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the
graves of his dogs.
Leviathan
Scott Westerfield
It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their
Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated
animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.
With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both
aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar.
But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to
whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the
Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the
Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.
Esperanza Rising
Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico — she'd always have fancy dresses, a
beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great
Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial
struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise
above her difficult circumstances — Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.
Bread and Roses, Too
Katherine Paterson
Rosa's mother is singing again, for the first time since Papa died in an accident in the mills. But instead of filling
their cramped tenement apartment with Italian lullabies, Mamma is out on the streets singing union songs, and Rosa is
terrified that her mother and older sister, Anna, are endangering their lives by marching against the corrupt mill owners.
After all, didn't Miss Finch tell the class that the strikers are nothing but rabble-rousers--an uneducated, violent mob?
Suppose Mamma and Anna are jailed or, worse, killed? What will happen to Rosa and little Ricci?
Coraline
Neil Gaiman
In Coraline's family's new flat there's a locked door. On the other side is a brick wall — until Coraline unlocks the
door... and finds a passage to another flat in another house just like her own. Only different.
The food is better there. Books have pictures that writhe and crawl and shimmer. And there's another mother and father
there who want Coraline to be their little girl. They want to "change" her and keep her with them... "Forever."
*Peter Pan
James Matthew Barrie
Second to the right and straight on til morning - that's the way to Neverland, an island filled with adventure and hidden
danger. It's home to beautiful mermaids and fairies...as well as dastardly pirates ruled by the evil Captain Hook. It's a
place for lost boys, hungry crocodiles, and, most of all, people who don't want to grow up. The Darling children don't know
anything about Neverland - until a magical boy named Peter Pan shows up and leads the way.
Wonder
R.J. Palacio
August Pullman is not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. Sure, he's a huge Star Wars fan, he loves his dog, and he's got a
pretty good sense of humor. But August was born with a craniofacial abnormality — a genetic defect that caused his facial
features to be severely deformed. His life has never been "normal."
Despite his differences, August and his parents decide to transition him from home school to private school now that he's
entering fifth grade. It's the start of middle school, they reason, so everyone will be new. But August has to deal with so
much more than just being new. Will he make friends? Will he decide to stay at the school? And can the people around
him learn to see past his appearance?
James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl
First published in 1961, James and the Giant Peach remains a favorite for young readers decades later. In it, young
James Henry Trotter loses his parents and is forced to live with his evil aunts. Luckily, he is given magic crystals, which he
accidentally spills on his aunts' decrepit peach tree. One of the peaches begins to grow, and grow, and grow. Finally,
James climbs into the peach and it rolls away from his aunts' yard and his miserably lonely life. With the giant peach, he
begins a new life, making friends along the way with hilarious characters like the Grasshopper and the Earthworm.
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
E.L. Konisburg
Bored with her life, twelve-year-old Claudia Kincaid is ready for a big change. In fact, she wants to run away from home.
But she doesn't like discomfort. She doesn't even like picnics. So an old-fashioned, knapsack kind of running away is out
of the question. Instead of running from somewhere, she decides to run to somewhere — some place comfortable, and
preferably beautiful. Where else, but the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City? Fare on the train from the suburbs
takes three weeks of skipping hot fudge sundaes. Taking Jamie, the second youngest of her three brothers — the quiet
one with the largest cache of money — with her, Claudia's life is immediately changed in a big way. Nights she and Jamie
take baths in one of the museum's fountains and they sleep in royal beds in the museum's collection, despite the "Please
do not step on the platform" sign. Every day they check out by 4:30 and reenter the museum around the back at 5:30. To
remain inconspicuous, Claudia and Jamie join school-group tours by day, and when the museum closes, stand on the
toilets in the bathroom stalls out of view from the guards checking for strays. But she and Jamie's vacation from their
"real" life turns into an adventure when Angel, a sculpture rumored to have been carved by Michelangelo, arrives. Will
they solve a mystery that even the experts can't solve?
Gregor the Overlander
Suzanne Collins
When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland,
where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is
no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part
of it until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a
dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.
Among the Hidden
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke
has never had a friend. Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his
entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no
longer even allowed to go outside. Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two
other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the
shadows. Does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis
Air-raids over London during WWII compel four siblings — Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy — to be sent away from the
city to the house of a kindly, but remote Professor "who lived in the heart of the country." There is much to discover in the
country: woods, mountains, owls, eagles, maybe even hawks and snakes. But the children will soon discover that the
Professor's large house, staffed by three servants, holds even more mystery. It is a house filled with unexpected places,
including a room which holds nothing but a large wardrobe, which Lucy opens one rainy day, never dreaming that the
wardrobe is a passageway into Narnia.
Old Yeller
Fred Gipson
The big, ugly, yellow dog showed up out of nowhere one night and stole a whole side of hanging pork, and when Travis
went for him the next morning that dog started yelling like a baby before he was touched. Then he got into the spring
water with five-year-old Arliss, Travis took an easy hate to Old Yeller, as they started to call him; in fact, he would have
driven him off or killed him if it hadn't been for brother Arliss' loud and violent protests, So Yeller stayed, and Travis soon
found he couldn't have got along without him.
* White Fang
Jack London
In this companion volume to his classic masterpiece, The Call of the Wild, Jack London follows the life of a magnificent
wolf-dog in the Yukon wilderness. White Fang is part wolf, part dog, but for the early part of his life he doesn't know what
he should be. Born in a cave, suffering from famine, he has been raised as a wolf, but feels conflicted as he gets to know
the world of dogs — and humans. Unfortunately, his initial experiences with people are not good. Forced to endure a
series of harsh environments, White Fang finds the openness and innocence of youth turning to pure rage within him.
Finally, a young prospector sees beyond the vicious anger and works to win him over. White Fang, fiercely loyal to his
new owner and friend, finds redemption in his return from the wild.
*Black Beauty
Anna Sewell
Black Beauty's story, as told by himself, is the fascinating tale of the life of a horse a hundred years ago, when horses
were a part of daily life. Although his colthood and early life are happy, Black Beauty tastes the bitterness of cruel
handlers and indifferent masters as he passes from hand to hand, progressing from the country to London and back
again.
BOOK Project Rubric
Student Name:
Period:
Book:
Project:
Category
Exceedingly
Somewhat
Minimal
None
Book questions
are answered
thoughtfully with
evidence from the
text
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
Project is well
organized and
neat. It is easy to
understand and
read
4
3
2
1
Project meets all
presented
instructions
4
3
2
1
Project
demonstrates
effort
4
3
2
1
Project
demonstrates an
understanding of
the novel
Total
Total x 5
Score Given:
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