Dear Future Sixth Grade Students and Parents/Guardians: Summer is almost here! Though summer is a time to relax and enjoy yourself, it is also important to maintain the skills gained this year. To make sure this happens, all students at White Brook must participate in our summer reading program. This year we are also teaming up with Emily Williston Library s Summer Reading Program. As a result, you have the chance to win prizes if you get your reading done before August! Your teacher may also have other rewards for you if you do your summer reading! Each incoming sixth grader will: o Read at least 3 books Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (required), 1 non-fiction book (not a biography or memoir-they re considered literary non-fiction) and 1 fiction book. o Complete book logs for ALL the books you read o Complete the attached book review sheets for your 3 books o Create a poster selling your book to other readers o Bring the log, book review sheets, and poster to school during the first week of school in order to take part in activities related to your summer reading. We have provided all the forms you will need and have also posted this information on the school website. The form at the end of this packet needs to be completed and returned to your ELA teacher by June 17 th. There are many places to look for good books. What is most important is that you select a book that is just right. As your teachers have stressed, a just right book is a book that is neither too easy, nor too hard. You may not select books you have previously read-the purpose of this assignment is to read unknown text! We encourage parents and children to share book reading; read a book together, take turns reading, or listen to a book on tape or CD in the car as you drive. Asking questions or talking about the books your child is reading is a great way to let your child know you value literacy. Remember to fill out the yellow form and return it to your ELA teacher by June 17 th so that we know you have received all of this information. Have a great summer sharing books with your family and friends! Sincerely, Ms. Balise, Principal Ms. Pasquini-Torchia, Assistant Principal White Brook Middle School Grade 6 ELA Teachers
Last Name: First Name: Incoming 6 th Grade Students Directions: After you and your parents have read the attached information about the White Brook Summer Reading Program, please complete this form, detach it from the other papers, and give it to your English Language Arts teacher no later than June 17, 2016. I have received the 6 th grade summer reading information packet and I understand that I will be expected to: Read at least 3 books (preferably more)- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, 1 information/non-fiction, and 1 fiction (a novel). Complete a reading log on the books I read this summer. Complete 3 book review sheets and a poster selling one of the books Bring the log, book review sheets, and poster to school the first week of school in order take part in summer reading activities. Student Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:
Sixth Grade Book List: Below is a list of fiction and non-fiction books and popular authors for incoming sixth grade students. Title Author Level F/NF Animal Defenses: How Animals Protect Themselves Etta Kaner easy NF Attila the Hun, Leader of the Barbarian Hordes Sean Stewart Price easy NF All For the Better Nicholasa Mohr medium NF Beacon Street Girls Annie Bryant medium F Because of Winn-Dixie Kate DiCamillo medium F Bodies from the Ash: Life and Death in Pompeii James Deem medium NF Boxcar Children Mysteries Gertrude C. Warner easy F Bud, Not Buddy Christopher Paul Curtis medium F Buried Alive Elaine Scott medium NF The Black Stallion Walter Farley medium F Double Identity Margaret Peterson Haddix challenging F The Dark Game Paul Janeczko challenging NF Ella Enchanted Gail Carson Levine medium F Encyclopedia Brown (series) Donald Sobol easy F The Egypt Game Zilpha Keatley Snyder challenging F Fantastic Feats and Failures Yes Magazine Editors challenging NF Escape: Children of the Holocaust Allan Zullo challenging NF Freaky Friday Mary Rodgers medium F Frozen Man David Getz medium NF Good Fortune Li Keng Wong medium NF Hank Zipzer series Henry Winkler easy F The Hunger Games Series Suzanne Collins challenging F The Harry Potter Series J.K. Rowling medium F Inheritance Series Christopher Paolini challenging F The Invention of Hugo Cabret Brian Selznick challenging F Joey Pigza (series) Jack Gantos medium F Lincoln Shot Barry Denenberg challenging NF Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Robert C. O Brien medium F The Mouse and the Motorcycle Beverly Cleary easy F My Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George medium F Ordinary Genius: Story of Albert Einstein Stephanie McPherson medium NF Sir Francis Drake: Slave Trader and Pirate Charles Nick easy NF Shakespeare Stealer Gary Blackwood challenging F Shark Attack Cathy East Dubowski easy NF Sideways Stories from Wayside School Louis Sachar easy F Spiderwick Chronicles Holly Black & Tony Diterlizzi easy F T-Lloyd: In the Trenches Ron Berman easy NF Through My Eyes Ruby Bridges challenging NF Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold Jean Fritz challenging NF Volcanoes and other Natural Disasters Harriet Griffey medium NF Popular Authors: Avi, Joan Bauer, Loree Griffin Burns, Gennifer Choldenko, Bobbie Kalman, Sharon Creech, Andrew Clements, Eoin Colfer, Bruce Coville, Christopher Paul Curtis, Sharon Creech, Karen Cushman, Michael Dorris, Louise Erdich, Paul Fleischman, Russell Freedman, Cornelia Funke, Jack Gantos, Miriam Gross, Virginia Hamilton, Karen Hesse, Carl Hiaasen, Will Hobbs, E.L. Konigsburg, Stephen Kramer, Madeleine L Engle, Gail Carson Levine, C.S. Lewis, Lois Lowry, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Jenny Nimmo, Scott O Dell, Katherine Paterson, Phillip Pullman, Rick Riordan, Louis Sachar, Seymour Simon, Gary Soto, Jerry Spinelli,
Please keep track of the reading that you do using this reading log. You are only required to read 3 books (Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, 1 fiction, and 1 non-fiction/informational), but we encourage you to read more! Your teacher will use this log to better understand what kind of reader you are. Be sure to include: Title of your book The author A parent s signature when you finish the book See the sample entry below. Parent Title of Book Author Initials SAMPLE: Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery
Title of Book Author Parent Initials
Book Review Name Title and author Summary (Tell about the book you read in one paragraph. Remember not to give away any surprises or the ending.) Review (Would you recommend this book to other 6 th graders? Why or why not? Remember to use specific evidence from the text in your review.)
Poster Assignment Create a poster to sell one of your books to other 6 th graders. Choose the book you most enjoyed reading. Think about a poster you might see at a bookstore advertising a new book. Also consider what makes you choose a book at the library or a bookstore. Your poster must include: The book title and author A brief summary of your book (no spoilers!) Your recommendation (review) of the book. Why do you think other readers would enjoy this book? Remember to include specific examples from the text to support your opinion. An illustration that will grab other people s attention Bring your poster to school during the first week of school with your 3 book review worksheets.