summer reading
All middle school students have summer reading assignments so that we can jump right in to the school year. All students are required to read three books, but are strongly encouraged to read more.
1. Required by Mrs. Connolly, History
2. Required by Mrs. Woods, English
3. Free choice for Mrs. Woods, English
See below for titles and other details, as well as suggestions for keeping your math, science and Spanish skills sharp.
history reading
grade 6
Over the summer you are to pick at least one of the books listed below (or read them all as I have) that deal with the theme of justice. Read the book and be ready to discuss in September how your book deals with the concept of justice. Use post-it notes throughout the book to:
- Write questions you have
- Note when the book makes reference to current events
- Note interesting quotes that deal with the theme of justice
- Character traits that deal with justice
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Esperanza Rising by Pam Ryan
Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
Ryan White: My Own Story by Ryan White
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker-Rhodes
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
grade 7
Over the summer you are to pick at least one of the books listed below (or read them all as I have) that deal with the theme survival. Read the book and be ready to discuss in September how your book deals with the idea of survival. Use post-it notes throughout the book to:
- Write questions you have
- Note when the book makes reference to current events
- Note interesting quotes that deal with the theme of survival
- Character traits that deal with survival
Heart of the Samurai by Nargi Preus
Revolution Is Not A Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine
Star in the Forest by Laura Resau
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break by Lensey Namioka
Kira, Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
When My Name Was Keoko by Sue Linda Park
Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer
grade 8
Over the summer you are to pick at least one of the books listed below (or read them all as I have) that deal with the theme equality. Read the book and be ready to discuss in September how your book deals with the idea of equality. Use post-it note throughout the book to:
- Write questions you have
- Note when the book makes reference to current events
- Note interesting quotes that deal with the theme of equality
- Character traits that deal with equality
Fever 1793 by Laurie Anderson
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
A Yellow Watermelon by Ted M. Dunagan
Persepolis: The True Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons: The Story of Phillis Wheatley by Ann Rinaldi
english reading
grades 6 and 7
1. When you return to school in the fall you will be asked to do some work with your required novel choices. If you read your books early in the summer, you may wish to keep notes on plot development, characters and changes and your reactions to those so you'll remember enough to use in your work. Bring those notes to class.
2. As you read, use sticky notes (no more than 15) on which to jot your thoughts and stick those notes on the pages where your thoughts are triggered. We will use those notes on our work when you begin school.
Things to sticky note:
- Places you learn about the main character's personality
- Places where you get a sense of the key problem in this novel
- Places where you see the main character changing/growing/learning
- Places where you begin to get an idea of theme/main ideas in story
3. As you read, use the attached character web for the main character in Flipped.
4. Use the attached reading record to list the books and authors of ALL books you read this summer, including the required ones.
5. Bring the following items the first day of school:
- The required book with your sticky notes inside
- A color copy of the cover of your favorite book from summer. (Use Amazon or Google images to find these)
- A plain manila file folder
- The favorite book so you can use it for a class assignment.
- Reading log of books read this summer
- (grade 6 only) The attached character web completed NEATLY for ONLY the main character in Flipped.
The grade 6 required novel for English is Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
The grade 7 required novel for English is Tangerine by Edward Bloor
grade 8
The grade 8 required novel for English is The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen.
1. As you read, use sticky notes (no more than 15) on which to jot your thoughts and stick those notes on the pages where your thoughts are triggered. We will use those notes on our work when you begin school.
Things to sticky note:
- Places you learn about the main character's personality
- Places where you get a sense of the key problem in this novel
- Places where you see the main character changing/growing/learning
- Places where you begin to get an idea of theme/main ideas in story
2. Type out three excerpts from the novel you feel connect to something the novel may be trying to teach you. After each excerpt, type the page number and then detail what you see in the quote that leads you to something you learn.
3. Use the attached reading record to list the books and authors of ALL books you read this summer, including the required ones.
5. Bring the following items the first day of school:
- The required book, with your excerpts pages typed and completed
- The 3 typed, printed excerpts with your name at the upper right corner of the page
- The completed reading record
math
All students will have access to IXL over the summer, and the sites http://www.catchupmath.com and http://khanacademy.org have the best opportunities to review and even learn new concepts—especially in Pre-Algebra.
science
Because each grade level covers such a broad area of science, experiential learning opportunities build important background knowledge, reflective thinking, and fun.
Grade 6 I suggest that incoming 6th graders visit the California Academy of Sciences (new Earthquake exhibit, the planetarium) or The Tech Museum (good earthquake exhibit there).
Grade 7 Visit the California Academy of Sciences, The Tech, or the Exploratorium or any zoo or aquarium and focus on cells, human body, genetics and any other life science exhibits.
7th graders may also want to peruse the website http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/student_resources.shtml?From=Tab
to get them started on thinking about their science fair projecst.
Grade 8 Visit the California Academy of Sciences, The Tech, or the Exploratorium or any zoo or aquarium and focus on exhibits on chemistry and/or physics.
spanish
All students are invited to spend some time at the websites listed below:
www.quia.com Select "Web Shared" and then "Spanish." There are great fun games to review (and not forget) what you learned this year.
www.studyspanish.com A wonderful resource for grammatical explanations for topics you feel you have not yet mastered.
