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summer reading assignments and resources for the 2011-2012 school year

Middle School Summer Reading and Assignments

As students entering Middle School, you are required to complete summer reading selections in preparation for fall classes. Summer reading helps you maintain reading fluency as well as maintain the reading habit. Summer reading introduces you to the ideas, themes, and information that will be important during the academic year. Please click the links below to view summer reading and assignments for your 2011-2012 grade level.

Fifth Grade

Sixth Grade

Seventh Grade

Eighth Grade

Fifth Grade Summer Reading and Assignments

Humanities

  • Summer Reading: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
  • Please bring your book to class on the first day of school

Science

  • Summer Reading: Sue: The Story of the Colossal Fossil: The World’s Most Complete T. Rex by Patricia Reif (ISBN – 0-439-09985-4)
  • Assignments:
    • READ: Sue: The Story of the Colossal Fossil
    • HIGHLIGHT: As you read, highlight interesting facts and new things you learn, such as:
      • Names of important people in the book
      • Problems presented and their solutions
      • Type of fossil "Sue" was
      • New information you learned
      • Interesting or unusual facts
    • WRITE: Use the information that you highlight to write 10 questions (include the answers) to be used in a Jeopardy game about this book. Your questions need to be typed or neatly written and should include the page number where you found your information.
      Your questions are due the first day of school. We will play Jeopardy the first week of school with the questions everyone has prepared.
       

Math

  • Please complete the Fourth Grade Summer Review and Resource Book that was given to students in June.
  • While these are not a required set of activites, we do ask that you return the Summer Review and Resource Book in the fall. This way, your child's upcoming teacher will have immediate, helpful feedback on each learner that helps us further tailor instruction.
  •  Remember, students will use a variety of approaches to solve the problems ranging from the use of manipulatives to the standard algorithm. If your child gets stuck on a concept or confused, move on. It is not helpful to struggle over a topic in the summer months. You may write a note like “this was a tough one!” and your child’s teacher will then have that feedback.

Sixth Grade Summer Reading and Assignments

Summer Reading and Assignments Letter to Sixth Grade Students

Humanities

  • Summer Reading: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
  • As you read both novels, think about the following questions and be ready to discuss them when you return to school. (Please bring books to the first day of class.)
  • Stargirl:
    • How are we impacted by the presence of others in our lives?
    • Stargirl changes the way Leo thinks and feels. Who has helped shape or change the way you think or feel in regards to being accepting of others in your life?
  • Hatchet:
    • What personal or physical elements are critical to have in order to maintain survival?
  • In addition to the required reading, below are several recommended novels for Sixth Grade
    • Babbitt: Tuck Everlasting
    • Byars: Summer of the Swans
    • Dahl: James and the Giant Peach
    • Konigsburg: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
    • Raskin: The Westing Game
    • Spinelli: Maniac Magee
    • Taylor: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
    • Taylor: The Cay
       

Science

  • Summer Reading: Strange New Species: Astonishing Discoveries of Life on Earth by Elin Kelsey
  • Assignments:
    • READ: Strange New Species: Astonishing Discoveries of Life on Earth.
    • HIGHLIGHT: As you read, highlight interesting facts and new things you learn, such as:
      • New information you learned
      • Interesting or unusual facts
    • WRITE: Use the information that you highlighted to write 2 questions and answers from each of the 7 sections (14 questions total) to be used in a Jeopardy game about this book. Your questions need to be typed or neatly written and should include the page number where you found the information.
      Your questions are due the first day of school. We will play Jeopardy the first week of school with the questions everyone has prepared.
       

Seventh Grade Summer Reading and Assignments

Summer Assignments Letter to Seventh Grade Students

Humanities

  • Summer Reading: The Giver by Lois Lowry and Rules by Cynthia Lord
  • While you will not have to complete a formal assignment on your summer reading books before the start of the school year, please bring a copy of both books on the first day of school, as we will begin our humanities class discussing and completing activities on them.
  • In both of your summer reading books, the main characters struggle to fit into a world that does not always seems fair or even make sense. As you read both novels, please think about the following questions and be ready to discuss them when you return to school.
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
    • What does Jonas discover is wrong with the “perfect world” in which he lives?
    • What do you think is the greatest gift that the “Giver” bestows upon Jonah?
    • The “Giver” transmits a series of memories to Jonah, ranging from blissful to agonizing, each of which has a powerful affect on him. What is a memory that has a powerful affect on you?
  • Rules by Cynthia Lord
    • How does Catherine try to create a sense of normalcy through her “rules”?
    • What does Catherine discover is far more rewarding than being “normal”?
    • Do you think there exists such a thing as “normal”? Have you ever struggled with trying to be “normal” while, at the same time, being true to yourself?
       

Religion

  • Summer Reading: The Giver by Lois Lowry (In conjunction with Humanities)
  • Assignments:
    • In this book, the story raises questions about values and beliefs we may take for granted. Make a bulleted list of at least 5 big questions you wonder about the meaning of life, such as “Why does goodness exist and where does it come from?” and “How was the world created?” Bring your list to your first religion class for sharing.

 

Eighth Grade Summer Reading and Assignments

Summer Letter to Eighth Grade Students

Humanities

  • Summer Reading: Chains by Laurie Halse Andserson and Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
  • While you will not have to complete a formal assignment on your summer reading books before the start of the school year, please bring a copy of both books on the first day of school, as we will begin our humanities class discussing and completing activities on them.
  • In both of your summer reading books, the main characters discover that change is inevitable and the most grounding force in our lives is how we continually adapt to an ever-changing world. As you read both books, please think about the following questions and be ready to discuss them when you return to school.
  • Chains by Laurie Halse Andserson
    • Why do you think the author titled this novel Chains? What are the “chains” that Isabel experiences in her life? What does it take for her to break free of them?
    • What has been a “chain” tying you down or limiting you in some way in your own life? What have you done to free yourself from it?
  • Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
    • This novel has been described as “book in which everything happens and nothing happens.” Though not a lot happens externally to the main characters in this book, they undergo many internal changes. Describe some of these changes.
    • This book is filled with what could be described as small but significant moments. What is a small moment you have experienced that has pushed your life in a different direction?

Science

  • Summer Reading: “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
  • Assignments:
    • Design a poster (approximately 11” X 14”) displaying a specific part of the book or the overall theme of the play. Your poster must include:
      • An illustration (neatly done in colored pencil or thin marker)
      • A title (large and bold)
      • A caption that describes the illustration
      • Your name/date/science on the front right corner

    • On the back of the poster, include three quotes (typed in size 12-14 font) from the play that reflect:

      • The changes in society’s view of science

      • The concept of evolution at the time of the trial

      • The main point of the novel

    • Be sure to list the 3 titles from above with the quote in quotation marks, the person who said the quote, and the page number where the quote is located in the book.

    • Be prepared to discuss the meaning of your quotes in class and explain why you chose them. You will also have a short quiz on the book the week you return to school.

 

Religion

  • Summer Reading: “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (In conjunction with Science)
  • Assignments:
    • Write Two Paragraphs:
      In Inherit the Wind, we see changes in society’s view of science and religion. Write one paragraph which describes the ways religion is depicted in a negative way in the play. Write one paragraph identifying three ways religions serve individuals and the nation in a positive way.
    • Capstone Project Assignment:
      Think about community service areas you may wish to explore for your Capstone Project. Write down three ideas using full sentences explaining what you might like to do and why. You will share these ideas during the first two weeks of advisory.