Lakewood City Schools Summer 2012 REQUIRED Reading Assignment for all Middle School Students

Transcription

1 All future sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are required to read two books this summer. After reading each book, students choose between two assignment options. Current middle school students may find their Lexile level range (100 below or 50 above Lexile level score on SRI test) a helpful place to start when locating a book within their independent reading level. The website can be consulted as a resource for matching readers with texts. It s important that students and parents choose the books together, keeping in mind the reading and maturity levels of the student as well as his/her interests. This assignment is due on or before Friday, August 31, 2012, and late assignments will not be accepted across the district. Grading Procedures: Students will be graded on this assignment based upon following the instructions listed here for option A and option B. The columns below should be used as a checklist for completion. This assignment will count for up to ten percent of the first quarter grade in language arts. The books selected should be ones the student has not previously read. Assignment Option A: Select an appropriate book for your reading and age/maturity level. Complete three journal responses for each book using the response starters below. Each response should be written in a welldeveloped paragraph with 5-10 sentences. Respond three times throughout the book, proofreading for content, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Journal Response Starters (choose three different starters for each book): I was surprised when I was angry about I liked the way the author I don t understand why the author If I were the author, I would have I d compare this author to This book reminds me of I d say the theme of this book is I didn t agree with I understood I didn t understand Why did Assignment Option B: Select a book from the list and participate in a book discussion. All discussions will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Lakewood Public (15425 Detroit Avenue) on the specific dates listed. Book talks begin at 7:30 p.m. unless they are on held on Sundays at 3:00 p.m.; discussions last for one-hour. Space is limited, so register by stopping in or calling : (216) , ext Students must register for the program, read the book, and actively participate in the book discussion to receive credit. Select a book on to listen to while you follow along with the book. The symbol indicates that the title is available on at the Lakewood Public. Obtaining the Books for the Assignments: or other local libraries Borrow from a friend or family member Books-A-Million ( ) in Westgate, Rocky River Barnes & Noble ( ) in Crocker Park, Westlake Visit: or another online source

2 Assignment Option B Book Summaries: Note: Students may use their library cards to download many of these s book titles as ebooks or digital audio books through the library s participation in the Ohio Project. Visit Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett ( book on available) on Wednesday, July 11 or Sunday, July 29 (Lexile 770) When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen, and a precious Vermeer painting disappears, eleven-yearolds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal. Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson ( book on available) on Monday, July 9 or Monday, July 30 (Lexile 770) The Lleshis are Albanians living in Kosovo, a country trying to fight off Serbian oppressors, and suddenly they are homeless refugees. Then, unexpectedly, they are brought to America by a church group and begin a new life in a small Vermont town. The events of 9/11 bring more challenges for this Muslim family, but this country is their home now, and there can be no turning back. Eggs by Jerry Spinelli on Monday, July 16 or Monday, August 6 (Lexile 610) Mourning the loss of his mother, nine-year-old David forms an unlikely friendship with independent, quirky thirteen-yearold Primrose, as the two help each other deal with what is missing in their lives. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman ( book on available) on Tuesday, July 24 or Tuesday, August 7 (Lexile 820) The orphan, Bod, short for Nobody, is taken in by the inhabitants of a graveyard as a child of eighteen months and raised lovingly and carefully to the age of eighteen years by the community of ghosts and otherworldly creatures. Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson ( book on available) Wednesday, July 25 or Monday, August 13 (Lexile 700) After inheriting her uncle's homesteading claim in Montana, sixteen-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks travels from Iowa in 1917 to make a home for herself and encounters some unexpected problems related to the Great War being fought in Europe. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home. Heat by Mike Lupica ( book on available) on Wednesday, July 18 or Wednesday, August 15 (Lexile 940) Pitching prodigy Michael Arroyo is on the run from social services after being banned from playing Little League baseball because rival coaches doubt he is only twelve years old and he has doesn t have parents to offer them proof. Kaleidoscope Eyes by Jen Bryant on Tuesday, July 17 or Wednesday, August 1 (Lexile 950) In 1968, with the Vietnam War raging, thirteen-year-old Lyza inherits a project from her deceased grandfather, who had been using his knowledge of maps and the geography of Lyza's New Jersey hometown to locate the lost treasure of Captain Kidd. Revenge of the Witch (Book 1 in the Last Apprentice series) by Joseph Delaney ( book on available) Tuesday, July 10 or Tuesday, July 31 (Lexile 700) Young Tom, the seventh son of a seventh son, starts work as an apprentice for the village spook, whose job is to protect ordinary fold from ghouls, boggarts, and all manner of wicked beasties. Rules by Cynthia Lord on Monday, July 23 or Tuesday, August 14 (Lexile 780) Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence, but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt ( book on available) on Sunday, July 15 or Wednesday, August 8 Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood spends Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. He is sure Mrs. Baker doesn't like him. Holling's father wants him and his sister to be on their best behavior, but how can he stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? (Lexile 990)

3 Dear Parents and Students: The Lakewood City School District is pleased to provide the following information to students as a resource for locating alternative modes of text. The following chart contains the summer reading selections for grades 6-8 which have alternate modes of access to text, as well as the location and available formats (Etext, books on, books on tape, large print, etc.). Students are responsible for obtaining personal library cards, signing out materials and ensuring timely return of materials. This list also includes resources which could make access to text and written communication easier from some learners. Enjoy a safe and relaxing summer. The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman,,,, Large Print, Playaway, Large Print,, E-Audio Book The Wednesday Wars Gary D. Schmidt, Playaway,, E-Audio Book Eggs Jerry Spinelli, Large Print, Playaway, Large Print Rules Cynthia Lord, Playaway,, E-Audio Book Hattie Big Sky Kirby Larson, Large Print,

4 Day of the Pelican Katherine Paterson.,, Playaway Kaleidoscope Eyes Jen Bryant Chasing Vermeer Blue Balliett, E-Audio book,, Playaway, cassette, Large Print, cassette,, Playaway Heat Mike Lupica,, E-Audio book,, Revenge of the Witch (Book 1 in the Last Apprentice series) Joseph Delaney, E-Audio Book, Playaway,,, Software to Increase Access to Text: WordTalk: Adobe Accessibility: Office 2003 Accessibility: Office 2007 Accessibility: Apple Accessibility: ReadPlease: Dasher Project: Gutenburg Project:

5 Assistive Technology Services Dear Parents and Students: The Lakewood City School District is pleased to provide the following information to students as a resource for locating alternative modes of text. The following chart contains the summer reading selections for grades 6-8 which have alternate modes of access to text, as well as the location and available formats (Etext, books on, books on tape, large print, etc.). Students are responsible for obtaining personal library cards, signing out materials and ensuring timely return of materials. This list also includes resources which could make access to text and written communication easier from some learners. Enjoy a safe and relaxing summer. The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman, Large Print,, Large Print, Playaway The Wednesday Wars Gary D. Schmidt Eggs Jerry Spinelli,, Playaway, Large Print, Playaway, Large Print Rules Cynthia Lord Hattie Big Sky Kirby Larson, Playaway, Large Print, vernaann.kotansky@lakewood.k12.oh.us Phone: Page 1 of 2

6 Assistive Technology Services Day of the Pelican Katherine Paterson Kaleidoscope Eyes Jen Bryant No alternative mode available at area libraries,, Playaway Chasing Vermeer Blue Balliett Heat Mike Lupica, Large Print, cassette,, Playaway,, Playaway, cassette,, Revenge of the Witch (Book 1 in the Last Apprentice series) Joseph Delaney,,, Playaway, Software to Increase Access to Text: WordTalk: Adobe Accessibility: Office 2003 Accessibility: Office 2007 Accessibility: Apple Accessibility: ReadPlease: Dasher Project: Gutenburg Project: vernaann.kotansky@lakewood.k12.oh.us Phone: Page 2 of 2