Monroe Township Public Schools Williamstown Middle School 561 Clayton Road Williamstown, New Jersey 08094

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1 (856) FAX: Monroe Township Public Schools Williamstown Middle School 561 Clayton Road Williamstown, New Jersey Charles M. Earling Superintendent Dana R. Mericle Principal Kathleen L. McKinney Assistant Principal Donald E. Whirlow Assistant Principal James W. Collins Assistant Principal Dear Incoming Seventh Graders, Seventh grade English/Language Arts teachers are excited to have you join us in September, and we are looking forward to hearing about what you read over the summer. As you know, you must select one of the books on the suggested reading list and read it over the summer break. When you come to our classes in September, we will set aside a class block for you to write a letter essay about the book you read. Therefore, during your reading, be sure to take notes on plot, theme, characterization, and the author s writing style. Additionally, be sure to select a passage from the book that stands out for you in some way, and copy that passage, word for word, into your notes. You will need to have all of these notes available on the forms that we have provided in this packet when you write your letter essay in class. We cannot wait to begin reading and thinking about literature with you in this serious-but-friendly way. We are looking forward to your first letter essay and a year of chances to learn from you, learn with you, and help you learn more about the power and pleasure of books. Fondly, The 7th Grade ELA Teachers

2 Incoming 7 th Grade Choose one title The Compound by S.A. Bodeen (Lexile: 570) After his parents, two sisters, and he have spent six years in a vast underground compound built by his wealthy father to protect them from a nuclear holocaust, fifteen-year-old Eli, whose twin brother and grandmother were left behind, discovers that his father has perpetrated a monstrous hoax on them all. Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton (Lexile: 960) The teenage surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack in 2003 describes how she has coped with this life-altering event with the help of her faith, the changes in her life, and her return to the sport she loves. Pop by Gordon Korman (Lexile: 740) Lonely after a midsummer move to a new town, sixteen-year-old high-school quarterback Marcus Jordan becomes friends with a retired professional linebacker who is great at training him, but whose childish behavior keeps Marcus in hot water. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (Lexile: 720) After fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is hit by a taxi and killed, she finds herself in a place that is both like and unlike Earth, where she must adjust to her new status and figure out how to "live." Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Lexile: 770) Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Lexile: 790) August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid but his new classmates can t get past Auggie s extraordinary face. Jackie s Nine: Jackie Robinson s Values to Live By by Sharon Robinson (Lexile:1040) The baseball legend's daughter augments her father's thoughts on persistence, integrity, citizenship, and commitment with personal memories and essays by such authors as Martin Luther King, Christopher Reeve, and Marian Wright Edelman.

3 Writing About Reading prompts Step 1: Choose 3 different Writing about Reading prompts. Record your notes in the provided outline for Writing About Reading Prompts 1-3. Step 2: A. Each paragraph will include an explanation (answer the prompt) B. Quoted textual support (embedded quotations) C. and commentary (reflection-insight about the quoted evidence). Pick 1 prompt from numbers Chose a passage that speaks of the authors writing style 2. Select a conflict/problem that developed and pushed along the plot The resolution of the main character s problem occurred when.. Pick 2 prompts from numbers Explain how internal or external forces cause one character from the novel to grow or change. 5. Identify one subplot from the novel and explain how it relates to the main plot of the novel. 6. Describe one setting from the novel and explain why it is important to a character or to the plot. 7. Identify one of the novel s themes, and discuss how plot, setting, character, or conflict contributes to it.

4 Directions for note-taking: *Review the Letter Essay Format steps 1-12 in order to know what notes need to be taken and placed in the boxes.* (Step 2) Salutation/ Opening. (Step 3) Paragraph 1-Opening (Step1) Date written out (Step 4) Paragraph 2-Author (Step 5-Part 1) Paragraph 3-Significant Passage Directly quoted (Step 5-Part 2) Paragraph 3-Explanation of Significant Passage

5 (Step 6,7,8) Paragraph 4-6-Writing About Reading Prompt #1 (Step 6,7,8) Paragraph 4-6-Writing About Reading Prompt #2 (Step 6,7,8) Paragraph 4-6-Writing About Reading Prompt #3

6 (Step 9) Paragraph 7-Recommendation (Step 10) Paragraph 8-Rating (Step 11) Closing (Step 12) Your name

7 Letter Essay format ******REMEMBER- this is NOT a book report. Do NOT summarize details about your book. You are writing about the work of literature! (Step 2) Salutation/ Opening. Dear Reader, or Dear Sci-Fi Readers, etc (Step 1) Month day, year (SPELL out the month- upper right hand corner of paper) (Step 3) Paragraph 1- possible ways to begin Begin with a reaction opening. Place book title in this paragraph and underline it! Definitely mention the author s name. Think of adjectives to describe this storyline and your reaction to the book. Sell this book with your words- make others want to read it. *****Do not skip lines between paragraphs, but do indent the first line of each paragraph. (Step 4) Paragraph 2- the author. Check the last few pages (or the inside back flap) of your book for author information. Where does the author live, what other books has he/she written, has the author won any medal for other published books? Is this a series book? ******Do not skip lines between paragraphs, but do indent the first line of each paragraph. (Step 5) Paragraph 3- Significant Passage. Directions: 1. Extract a significant (important) passage from your book. 2. Place the ENTIRE passage in quotation marks - these are NOT your words. 3. The ENTIRE significant passage (not just the first line) must be DOUBLE indented. 4. ONCE you have finished writing the significant passage- Go back to the left margin but do not indent to begin writing your insight (explanation) about it (Follow the outline of your note packet). 5. You must comment on why this passage is important to 1 of the following elements: 1. Author's use of literary devices (personification, simile, metaphor, repetition of words, etc.) 2. Examine, in detail, one character s personality by including actions or dialogue as evidence of a character trait. 3. Discuss a theme in the book that is timeless and universal

8 ******Do not skip lines between paragraphs, but do indent the first line of each paragraph. (Steps 6, 7, 8) Paragraphs 4-6 Writing About Reading Prompts 1. Pick one (1) Reading About Writing prompt from # Pick two (2) Reading About Writing prompts from # Answer the prompts 4. You must INCLUDE textual evidence (remember to place your textual evidence in quotation marks). 5. Most importantly a commentary, your insight or reflection, is required to explain the importance of the textual evidence you provided. 6. Do NOT summarize the textual evidence as commentary. ******Do not skip lines between paragraphs, but do indent the first line of each paragraph. (Step 9) Paragraph 7: Recommendation 1. What type of reader would enjoy this book? 2. Why would the type of reader you suggested find this book interesting? unique? 3. What might someone learn from this book? ******Do not skip lines between paragraphs, but do indent the first line of each paragraph. (Step 10) Paragraph 8: Rate the book from being the worst 10 the best. EXPLAIN why this rating. (Step 11) The Closing, (against the left margin!) (Truly, Happy Reading, Sincerely, etc.) (Step 12) Write/Type Your Name after closing PROOFREAD your work!!!

9 LETTER ESSAY RUBRIC NAME: /5 points. Title of Book (underlined in the letter) /5 pts. Author s name included in the letter /5 pts. Written in proper letter format: Salutation (Dear Reader, or Dear Everyone, ) Closing (Your Student, or Sincerely, Your Name) /5 pts. due date written out in the top right corner (example: January 5, 2013) /10 pts. Mechanics (spelling, grammar, word choice, and sentence variety) /15 pts. Recommendation of the book to another person or group (ONE full PARAGRAPH) /15 pts. Rate the book from one to ten (EXPLAIN IN ONE PARAGRAPH) /20 pts. Significant passage included and discussed (Copy and quote the passage directly from the text DOUBLE INDENT) (Discuss the significance of the passage in terms of author s writing style, or a character s development, or the plot or book s theme in paragraphs SEPARATE FROM THE PASSAGE) /20 pts. 3 well- developed paragraphs - Writing About Reading (Include sufficient written discussions by using 3 Writing about Reading prompts or openers. Choose from the prompts and openers listed for you (Must include embedded quotations/textual evidence in your paragraphs) Grade