8 th Pre AP Summer Reading Assignments and Contract The purpose of the MISD summer reading program is to provide a foundation of literary experience that will enable a student to be successful in AP classes at the high school level and beyond. All Mesquite middle schools require summer reading. A transfer does not mean you do not have to complete the assignments. If a transfer occurs, you are to do the assignments you were given at your present school or contact someone at the new school and get the assignments. For the first assignment, you will read Ender s Game by Orson Scott card. You may purchase your own copy or check it out from the library. You will complete 20 annotations as explained on the next page. For the second assignment, you will choose a novel from the list provided to purchase or check out, and you will create a dialectical journal. Follow the directions that are explained in this packet. BOTH ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST, 26, 2015. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED! IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THESE ASSIGNMENTS, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY FAIL THE FIRST SIX WEEKS! Don t be guilty of putting your reading off until it is time for school to start in August. You might not complete it. I will be checking my email from time to time over the summer. If you have a question or concern, email me. Amy Towner atowner@mesquiteisd.org
Name 7th Grade Teacher Summer Reading Pre AP Grade 8 1. ASSIGNMENT ONE: Ender s Game by Orson Scott Card Annotate with symbols: As you read, you will annotate thoughts you have about your novel on your own notebook paper. Write 5 annotations for each symbol (total of at least 20 symbols) explaining/providing commentary (answer the question So What? ) for each annotation. Make sure these annotations are spread throughout the story in the beginning, middle and end (You must have at least 5 annotations in Chapters 1-5, at least 5 annotations in Chapters 6-10, and at least 5 annotations in Chapters 11-15). But, you must have 20 total, five from each category. Use the following symbols: Smiley Face [ : ) ] CHARACTERIZATION: Write the pg # and paragraph #. Paraphrase the descriptions and characterization of the main characters. Star ( ) IMAGERY: Write the pg # and paragraph #. Analyze the imagery and author describes and why it helps the reader understand. Imagery is an author's use of vivid and descriptive language to add depth to their work. Exclamation Mark (! ) REACTION: Write the pg # and paragraph #. Describe an interesting personal reaction. This made you stop and think or realize something. Question Mark (? ) INQUIRY: Write the pg # and paragraph #. Explain something that made you want to ask a question to the author or characters, or something confusing to you.
2. ASSIGNMENT TWO: Choose a novel below to purchase/check-out, and create a dialectical journal. - Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - Prince & the Pauper by Mark Twain - The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells - The Pearl by John Steinbeck - Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Vernon - Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson - Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling - The Hound of Baskervilles by Arthur C Doyle - The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury Guidelines for the Dialectical Journal Dialectic means the art of practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer. The dialectic was the method Socrates used to teach his students how to be actively engaged in the struggle to obtain meaning from an unfamiliar and challenging work. A dialectical journal is a written conversation with yourself about a piece of literature that encourages the habit of reflective questioning. You will use a double-entry form to examine details of a passage and synthesize your understanding of the text. If you have questions about format, email your teacher! Instructions: 1. Fold several pages of notebook paper in half vertically or draw a vertical line down the middle of the page 2. Label the top of each column: left TEXT and right RESPONSE 3. In the TEXT column, cite passages word for word from the novel, including quotation marks and page numbers a. Choose 10 total meaningful quotes from throughout the book (not all from the beginning, middle, or end)
b. When should you write passages down? Here are some ideas: Details that seem important to you You have an epiphany You learn something significant about a character You recognize a pattern of overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.) You agree or disagree with something a character says or does You find an interesting or potentially significant quotation You notice something important or relevant about the writer s style You notice effective use of literary devices 4. In the RESPONSE column, reflect upon the passages a. Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text b. Give your personal reactions to the passage, characters, the situation c. Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character d. Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences e. Compare the text to other characters or novels f. Write about what it makes you think or feel g. Argue with or speak to the characters or author h. Make connections to any themes that are revealed to you i. Make connections among passages or sections of the work j. Make predictions about characters futures k. DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE PLOT!! 5. Successful RESPONSE FORMAT a. Each RESPONSE must be at least 60 words b. Write down your thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas while you read or immediately after reading a chapter so the information is fresh c. As you take notes, you should regularly reread your previous pages of notes and comments d. First person is acceptable in the RESPONSE column (that means using
phrases like This reminded me of or I think about ) e. Remember that quotations DO NOT HAVE TO BE DIALOGUE! Sample Journal: Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain TEXT RESPONSE He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it - namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. (Twain 24). Tom truly shows his mastery of manipulating others to achieve his own selfish ambitions. This concept is not confined to books, but is one that we see used in advertising, music videos, shopping malls, and even within our own friendships. Tom makes work a desirable thing to do by making it something that not everyone is allowed to do. This tactic always has a way of bringing out the rebel in us. One might compare this to a parent telling a young child not to touch a hot stove. Just being told we cannot do something always makes it more desirable. (101 words) Grading: A= Meaningful and significant passages, plot, and quotation selections with insightful commentary. B= Less detailed, but good plot and quotation selections with some adequate commentary. C= Few details from the text with vague commentary, unsupported, or plot summary/ paraphrase. D= Limited details from the text and notes are plot summary or paraphrase. F= Did not complete or plagiarized
8 th grade Summer Reading Contract Pre AP English McDonald Middle School Mrs. Towner I, (print your name in the blank), have read the summer reading assignment and I understand my responsibilities. I also understand that failure to complete these assignments will probably cause me to fail the first six weeks of the 2015-2016 school year. I further understand that these assignments are due Wednesday, August 26, 2015, and no late assignments will be accepted. Student Signature Parent Signature