ENGLISH 8 ( ) Required novels that must be read by the opening of school:

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1 8 th GRADE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS ENGLISH 8 ( ) Eighth graders are required to read three novels for Summer Reading. Each student will be required to read two novels and will choose a third from the provided list. Each student should be prepared to do an assignment with the novel chosen from the book list on the second day of class after school begins. For this assignment, the student will need a pack of 3 X 5 notecards, a blue or black pen, and the chosen novel. Required novels that must be read by the opening of school: The Red Pony by John Steinbeck The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Because these novels are taught in detail, many students have preferred to use paperback copies; however, paperback copies are not required) Third Novel: Choose one of the novels from the list provided below. (Titles with an asterisk indicate a heightened degree of difficulty.) The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers *The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown *Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand *Watership Down by Richard Adams *The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom *The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley *I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns *My Antonia by Willa Cather *Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

2 *A Separate Peace by John Knowles The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver *Bless me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya *The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan *The Secret Life of Bees by Sun Monk Kidd *The Help by Kathryn Stockett *All But My Life by Gerda Weissman Klein *The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow *Sarah s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay *The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley *Half of a Yellow Sun by Ngoz Adichie *Uglies by Scott Westerfield *The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy *The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

3 Earth Science Mrs. Grant You are going to read Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth. As you read the book, you are going to complete a set of activities that will help you learn how to keep a nature journal. The completed activities will be due when school starts in the fall. Keep all entries in order in a 3 ring binder. The book Keeping a Nature Journal will be used as part of an interdisciplinary unit involving Earth Science, Art, and English. Materials needed: Text: Keeping a Nature Journal 3 ring binder (1 ) Study guide with activities Pen or pencil Colored pencils, markers or watercolors Text: Title: Keeping a Nature Journal Authors: Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth INBS: Activity One Take time to read and enjoy the drawings on pages Now that you have an idea of what nature journaling is and benefits provided by it, let s get started. Make one nature journal entry Spend at least 20 minutes in a natural setting making observations. See page 33 for suggestions as to where to go to make your first journal entry. Complete the following as you observe your natural setting: Date of entry: a) Where are you? b) How is this a natural location? c) What time is it?

4 d) Describe the sounds you hear. (close your eyes and listen) e) Describe how this setting makes you feel. f) Describe what you see. g) Describe what you smell. h) What can you touch? i) Describe the weather. Describe any special observations. ( Example: wildlife, hikers in the area, or emotions evoked by being in this spot) Activity Two Read Page Date of entry Spend time outdoors. Pick a plant or animal that you have observed in its natural setting. Use reference books or the internet to find its scientific name and one interesting fact about the organism. Scientific name: Interesting fact: List the reference you used to identify the organism. Activity Three Read pages Date of entry: Find a famous quotation about nature. Write the quotation:

5 Who wrote or said the quotation? What does the quotation mean? How does the quotation make you feel about nature? Activity Four Read and study the drawings on pages Date of entry: Spend time outdoors. Draw a sketch of a natural object or animal that you have observed. Tell why you chose this object or animal. Activity Five Date of entry: Read and study the drawings on pages Spend time outdoors. Draw a colored sketch of a natural object or animal that you have observed in a natural environment. Why is the color of your object or animal important to its natural surroundings? Activity Six Date of entry: Find and read a poem about nature. 1. Identify the poem and poet. 2. When was it written? 3. Quote a part of the poem that you liked. 4. What emotion or attitude did the poet intend or try to convey? Activity Seven

6 Enjoy Clare s Journals - A Seasonal Celebration (pages ) Date of entry: Identify a famous naturalist or environmentalist. Give his or her name. Give his or her lifespan. Where does or did this person live and study nature? Identify his or her focus or major contribution. (Give details) Activity Eight Date of entry: Practice the drawing exercised on pages Include your practice drawings in your journal. Identify an organism that is new to you. Observe that plant or animal in a natural setting. Write a description of the plant or animal. Draw a sketch of the plant or animal. Your description and drawing need to be detailed enough to help you use a field guides and reference books to identify what you have observed. What is the common name for the organism? What is the organism s scientific name? Identify where it commonly grows and lives. List the resources you have used to identify the new organism.

7 Activity Nine Apply what you have learned. Date of entry: Spend time outdoors. Create a journal entry. Be sure to include a written entry and two or more illustrations. Observations to include: a) Where are you? b) How is this a natural location? c) What time is it? d) Describe the sounds you hear. (close your eyes and listen) e) Describe how this setting makes you feel. f) Describe what you see. g) Describe what you smell. h) What can you touch? i) Describe the weather. Write a paragraph about your experience today. Make sure to use all your sensory details.