Summer Reading Students entering 7 th grade, September 2011 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Your Name **Bring this completed packet and your book to your L.A. class on the first day of school.** Kit Tyler knew, as she gazed for the first time at the cold, bleak shores of Connecticut Colony, that her new home would never be like the shimmering Caribbean islands that she left behind. In the meadows she meets another lone, mysterious figure, the old woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond. But when their friendship is discovered, Kit is faced with suspicion, fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft!
Character Traits: A CHARACTER TRAIT may be one word that a reader could use to describe the personality of a character. For example, a character may be considered courageous, disciplined, or curious. A reader can identify a character s trait(s) through what the character says or does as well as how other characters relate to him/her. Identify the main characters, their relationship to Kit, describe their personalities, and provide specific examples from the text to support the character traits you have listed. Characters Kit Tyler Relationship to Kit XXXXXXXXX Character Traits Evidence from text & page #
Vocabulary As you read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, look for these vocabulary words, write the sentence and page number from where is appears in the book, and write down the dictionary definition. Vocabulary Word Puritan (Chapter 1) heathen (Chapter 1) placating (Chapter 5) trencher (Chapter 8) Quakers (Chapter10) inveigled (Chapter 18) magistrate (Chapter 18) Definition from Dictionary Find the vocabulary word in the book. Write the sentence from the book and page number. As you read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, look for words that you are unfamiliar with or don t know the meaning of very well. Write down the word, the chapter
it comes from, the sentence and page number from where is appears in the book, and write down the dictionary definition. You must have a total of seven words! Unfamiliar Word and Chapter. Definition from Dictionary Find the vocabulary word in the book. Write the sentence from the book and page number.
Book Quotes Choose three different sentences from the book that have significant meaning in the story. Choose a sentence from the beginning, the middle, and the end of the book. Quote from book Page # Meaning in own words Why I chose this quote From beginning: From middle: From end:
Write three journal entries from the perspective of Kit at the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Each entry should be at least five sentences. Include Kit s feelings, internal, and external conflicts. Through her journal entries, demonstrate how she changed her perspective in the book. Do your best to capture her voice. Beginning of the book: Middle of the book:
End of the book: Theme: Look at the list of words below. Then choose two that you would like to write about. What would Kit say she has learned about each of these two words through her experiences in The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Write a 5 sentence paragraph using a 1:2 ratio (TS, CD, CM, CM, CS). Remember your CD needs to be a book event or book quote that supports the word you chose. 1. honesty 2. family 3. prejudice 4. relationships 5. loyalty 6. authority Word#1
Word#2
Do you think it was right for Kit to continue her association with Hannah despite her uncle's orders? Why or why not? Do you think there would be a way for her to be more honest and still continue her friendship with Hannah? By chapter 17, do you think Kit has adjusted well to the changes in her life? Explain. Use details from the book to support your answer.
If you were present in Weathersfield at this time, what arguments would you have made to try and defend Kit and Hannah? Use details from the book to support your answer. Make sure you bring your book and this packet on the first day of school.