2016 ENGLISH Summer Assignment Martin Murphy Incoming 6th grade Summer Assignment 6th English/History Department Chair: Darren McDonald ([email protected]) To ensure that the students continue to increase their reading ability and to prepare for th​
th​
the Common Core Curriculum that will be implemented in 6​
grade, all 6​
grade students are required to complete a Summer Reading Assignment. ​
This assignment is due the first day of school​
. Directions:​
Please choose and read two (2) books. It is important that you read books that interest you. So, you may check at the public library or at http://www.arbookfind.com/​
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to find books from either the recommended reading or Battle of the Books lists below. Assignments: 1st Novel: Book Summary​
(50 points) For ​
one ​
of the books that you read, complete a book summary. Use the template below to help complete this assignment. 2nd Novel: Creative Projects: ​
(50 points) Choose ​
one​
of the creative projects to complete for the second novel you read. Follow the directions carefully, and make sure that the project that you choose to complete contains all of the required elements. Choice #1: Book Jacket Create a colorful, engaging book jacket that includes the following: Cover: ● Create a ​
new​
cover for the book with an illustration showing an important event from the story, the title of the book, the author, and your name. It MUST be an original cover­­not a copy of the cover that is on the book. Inner Flap (left side): ● Summary: A chronological summary of key story events from the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution of the novel. Inner Flap (right side): ● Text connections (text to text, text to self or text to world) Back Cover: ● Theme – Description of the theme supported with examples from the story. Rubric:​
The summary is detailed and well written; the jacket is colorful, neat, and eye catching; the text connection is meaningful and purposeful; careful proofreading is evident; and the theme is thoughtful and clearly explained (50 points). Story summary (25 points) Picture (5 points) Text connection (5 points) Theme (5 points) Grammar, spelling, mechanics (10 points) Choice #2: Bookmark Create an eye­catching bookmark that complements your summer reading book by illustrating a key event that is pivotal to the climax. The bookmark should be no smaller than 8 ½” x 5” (50 points). Format: ∙ Front: Write the title of the book, the full name of the author, and the main setting of the story (Be sure to include time and place). Draw a detailed picture of a key event that is important to the climax of the story or to a change in one of the characters. Write a caption for the picture. ∙ Back: Find five (5) examples of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, etc.), and write them as quotations on the back of the bookmark. The exact sentence from the novel containing the example of figurative language must be included, along with the page number, labeled with the type of figurative language it reflects. Rubric: Title, author, setting (5 points) Illustration is detailed, colorful and clearly a key event (10 points) Five (5) examples of figurative language (labeled), with page numbers (25 points), Grammar, spelling, mechanics (10 points) Choice #3: Scrapbook The scrapbook will include pictures, artifacts, and a short description that demonstrates your understanding of, and reflection upon the novel. In addition, you will design an attractive cover or title page including the title of the novel and the author (50 points). Format: ● Pages must include the following topics with a picture and a caption explaining the picture and why it was chosen. Please organize your book in this order: o Title page o Setting o Characters o Major plot events­ exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution o Themes / lessons learned o Five significant quotes in quotation marks with the page number. Tell why these quotes are important. They should be different than the ones used on the other pages. Rubric: Cover with title and author noted (10 points) Each page topic includes pictures and a short description that explains its relevance to the novel (20 points) Correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics (10 points) Creativity, neatness (10 points) 1.
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Recommended Reading List for Summer Reading
The Kane Chronicles, Rick Riordan
a. The Red Pyramid (4.5)
b. The Throne of Fire (4.8)
c. The Serpent’s Shadow (4.8)
The Egypt Game, Z. Snyder (6.4)
Heroes of Olympus Series, Rick Riordan
a. The Lost Hero (4.5)
b. The Son of Neptune (4.7)
c. The Mark of Athena (4.8)
d. The House of Hades (4.8)
e. The Blood of Olympus (5.2)
Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling
a. Sorcerer’s Stone (5.5)
b. Chamber of Secrets (6.7)
c. Prisoner of Azkaban (6.7)
d. Goblet of Fire (6.8)
Hunger Games Series, Suzanne Collins
a. Hunger Games (5.3)
b. Catching Fire (5.3)
c. Mockingjay (5.3)
Magnus Chase, Rick Riordan (4.8)
The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis
a. The Magician’s Nephew (5.4)
b. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (5.7)
c. The Horse and His Boy (5.8)
8. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle (4.7)
9. Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket
a. The Bad Beginning (6.4)
b. The Reptile Room (6.3)
c. The Wide Window (6.3)
Book Review Template for Middle School Summary of Setting (1st paragraph) Write a summary of the book 1st paragraph­ Write about the setting, (where the story takes place, usually time and place). Introduce the main character or characters in the story. Ex. What are character’s qualities, name, etc. Discuss what conflict/problem the main character faces in the story. If you’re still having trouble starting, you can answer the questions who, what, when, where, and how. Summary of Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution (2nd paragraph) Summarize what happens up until the high point of the story, (don’t give away the ending, this should be just enough to tease the reader into wanting to get this book. Use some of these transition words to help you write your review: first second third also between finally because next then last after that for example another as a result later during Opinion (3rd paragraph) Write a paragraph giving your opinion on the book. Use these guidelines. Write about why you like or dislike the book. Give details, for example: Was the book confusing? Was it too easy to read or too hard? Was it predictable/ believable? Did you like the ending? What was your favorite part? What connections did you make with your life or other books? Talk about the author’s style of writing and give examples from the book. Examples should include a quote or quotes from the book or a summary of the part of the book that you liked or did not like. Rate the book from 1 star to 5 stars, and give examples why you gave it the rating you did. Minimum 5 sentences. Recommendation (4th paragraph) Explain whether you would recommend this book to other students or not? What type of student would enjoy this book and why? America’s Battle of the Books th​
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Elite List for 6​
– 8​
Grades: 2016 ­ 2017 Author
Title (AR)
Austen, Jane Pride and Prejudice (12.0) Avi The Good Dog (3.7) Abbott, Tony Firegirl (4.1) Choldenko, Gennifer Al Capone Does My Shirts (3.5) Cooney, Caroline B. The Face on the Milk Carton (4.8) DuPrau, Jeanne City of Ember (5.0) O’Dell, Scott Black Star, Bright Dawn (4.3) Farmer, Nancy The House of the Scorpion (5.1) Frank, Anne Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl (5.9) Freedman, Russell Lincoln: A Photobiography (7.7) Giff, Patricia R. Nory Ryan’s Song (4.3) Hemingway, Ernest The Old Man and the Sea (5.1) Hillendrand, Linda Seabiscuit: An American Legend (7.5) Jimenez, Francisco Breaking Through (5.3) Kadohata, Cynthia Kira­Kira (4.7) Kessler, Liz The Tail of Emily Windsnap (3.8) L’Amour, Louis Last of the Breed (6.3) Larson, Kirby Hattie Big Sky (4.4) London, Jack The Call of the Wild (8.0) Lord, Cynthia A Handful of Stars (4.4) Lupica, Mike Heat (5.3) Mikaelsen, Ben Touching Spirit Bear (5.3) Morpurgo, Michael War Horse (5.9) Nixon, Joan Lowery Other Side of Dark (4.0) Park, Linda Sue Project Mulberry (4.3) Paterson, Katherine Bridge to Terabithia (4.6) Paver, Michelle Wolf Brother (4.5) Peck, Richard The Teacher’s Funeral (4.7) Palacio, R.J. Wonder (4.8) Riordan, Rick The Lightning Thief (4.7) Rylant, Cynthia Missing May (5.3) Schmidt, Gary D. Wednesday Wars (5.9) Stevenson, Robert Louis Kidnapped (8.0) Van Draanen, Wendelin V. Flipped (4.8) Yep, Laurence Dragonwings: Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1903 (5.3) Yolen, Jane Devil’s Arithmetic (4.6) What is “America’s Battle of the Books?​
” America's Battle of the Books is a voluntary reading incentive th​
th​
program for students in 6​
thru 8​
grades. The purpose is simply to encourage students to read good books and have fun while competing with peers. This year will be Martin Murphy Middle School’s 1st year participating in the program. We will be holding a school competition in May after state testing. How does a Student Participate? A student participates by reading from the book list provided for the current year's America's Battle of the Books. Some students like to start reading in the summer but that is not necessary in order to participate. Students may count “books” that they have read before. However, they cannot count books that they have only seen on a video or movie. They must READ the book. They will complete a summary sheet, turn it into his/her teacher as well as take an Accelerated Reader Quiz on the book from the list. Once your student completes 8 books, they qualify for the school wide competition. Do students have to read all of the books on the list? No. We are asking that students read at least 8 of the 36 books on the list in order to participate in the Battle of the Books competition. This should be something that you discuss with your child before they decide. It is a lot of work…but it is a lot of fun as well! You want your team to be strong and be able to answer comprehension questions about each book. There are a few great readers who may complete the whole list ~WONDERFUL! What Is The "Battle?" A typical "Battle" is a full day tournament or game, like the College Bowl, in which students' teams earn points by answering questions about the books on the book list. The day begins with a meeting in the cafeteria, a morning snack and directions for the day. Then they are assigned to a team, given a mascot, and sent to their first round of the "Battle." They play several rounds, each against a different team. At the end of the morning, points are totaled and the two teams th​
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with the most points are invited to a "Grand Battle" after lunch, with the 6​
thru 8​
grade classes as their audience. How Does It Benefit The Child? The students gain knowledge and enjoyment from reading good books, sharing them with friends, parents and teachers, plus a fun day of playing in the "Battle.” If you have any questions, please see Mr. McDonald in room 30. The students at Martin Murphy participate in the Accelerated Reader™ (AR™) program. What is Accelerated Reader (AR)? AR is a computer program that helps teachers and librarians manage and monitor student’s independent reading practice. Each student picks a book at his or her own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, the student takes a short quiz on the computer. AR gives students, teachers, and librarians feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help students set goals and direct ongoing reading practice. Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. AR points are computed based on the difficulty of the book (ATOS readability level) and the length of the book (number of words). For example, The Sun Also Rises, about 70,000 words long and at an ATOS book level of 4.4, is a 10­point book. Students earn points, or a portion of a book’s points, depending on how well they do on the Reading Practice Quiz. For example, a student who reads a book worth 5 points and takes a 10­question quiz will earn 5 points for 10 correct answers (100%), 4.5 points for 9 correct answers (90%), etc. For quizzes with 3, 5, or 10 questions, a student needs to pass a quiz with a score of 60% or higher to earn points. For quizzes with 20 questions, a student needs to pass with a score of 70% or higher to earn points. During the first month of school, each student will take a diagnostic test to set his/her reading level. Then each month, every student will take the STAR Reading test. The STAR test is a computerized reading assessment that uses computer­adaptive technology. Questions continually adjust to your child’s responses. If the child’s response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If the child misses a question, the difficulty level is reduced. The test uses multiple­choice questions and takes approximately 15 minutes. A report will be sent home each month so parents will be able to see the progress of each student’s reading level. For any further questions, visit the Accelerated Reader website at www.renaissance.com/products/accelerated­reader.