Prince of Peace Christian School Summer Reading 2012 Grade 7 Dear Incoming Seventh Graders: As part of the new summer reading program, you will be required to read two books during your summer break. One of your selections must be Old Yeller by Fred Gipson. That novel is the only must read of the two required texts. You should select your second book from the variety of options listed on the first attachment. For Old Yeller, you are required to answer the attached comprehension questions in complete sentences. You will need to submit the typed answers to your English teacher the first week of school. Early in the first grading period, you will be asked to complete a writing activity and a multiple choice test for this novel. For your second book selection, you will be required to complete a newspaper book report project. The requirements as well as the rubric that will be used to assess the project are attached, also. All text must be typed. Again, this assignment will be due the first week of school and should be submitted to your English teacher. Please do not hesitate to contact Marianne Schnell or Ryan Austin via email if you have any questions regarding the summer reading program. Marianne K. Schnell Seris Middle School Language Arts and American History marianne.schnell@princeofpeace.org Michelle Middle School Language Arts and Theology michelle.seris@princeofpeace.org
SUMMER READING OPTIONS Please select one book to read in addition to Old Yeller by Fred Gipson: Historical Fiction: White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer Piper s Ferry by G. Clifton Wisler The Boy in the Alamo by Margaret Cousins Of Courage Undaunted by James Daugherty My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane Action/Adventure: The Call of the Wild or White Fang by Jack London The Adventures of Tom Sawyer or The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Savage Sam by Fred Gipson The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford Fantasy: The Dark Rising by Susan Cooper Any selection from Lloyd Alexander s Chronicles of Prydain Series -- The Book of Three The Black Cauldron The Castle of Llyr Taran Wanderer The High King
Old Yeller Reading Comprehension Questions Directions: As your read the novel, please answer the following questions in one or more complete sentences: Chapter 1 1. When and where does the story take place 2. Why is the father leaving? 3. Name the two boys in the story? 4. Who is telling the story? 5. Who was Bell and what happened to him? 6. Who was Jumper and how does Travis make him behave? Chapter 2 1. Describe Old Yeller s appearance. 2. How does Arliss react when he first sees the dog? 3. What decision does Mama make concerning the dog? Why? Chapter 3 1. What advice had Papa given Travis about hunting? 2. What are the Salt Licks and why are they important? 3. Why did Travis refuse to shoot at the javelina hogs? 4. What game does Travis finally kill? Chapter 4 1. Why were the two bulls fighting? 2. What happens when Travis attempts to get Old Yeller to help? 3. Describe two comical events that happen with the old cart? Chapter 5 1. What was Arliss in the habit of doing? 2. Why did his mother punish him when she found the baby copperhead? 3. Why did the mother bear attack Arliss? Chapter 6 1. How did Travis feelings about Old Yeller change after the bear attack? 2. Why was Mama puzzled when Old Yeller would not eat any of the gobbler? 3. Describe Bud Searcy s appearance. 4. Who was Lisbeth and what did she reveal to Travis? 5. What does hydrophobia mean and what word is typically used today for this disease?
Chapter 7 1. Describe the various methods Travis used in his attempts to keep Old Yeller from wandering off at night. 2. Why did Travis and Old Yeller sleep in the corn patch? 3. How does Old Yeller fight the heifer? 4. Why does Travis "nearly die" at the end of the chapter? Chapter 8 1. Who was Burn Sanderson? 2. Why was Travis angry with Bud Searcy? 3. What kind of a trade did Mr. Sanderson make with Arliss? 4. Why did Travis want to "get out of sight in a hurry"? 5. As Burn Sanderson is leaving what warning does he give Travis Coates? Chapter 9 1. Why did most of the hog owners keep four or five old barrows to run with the sows? 2. How did Travis mark the pigs born that year? 3. Why did Travis have to stay in the tree after he had marked the pigs? Chapter 10 1. How did Travis keep track of how many pigs had been born that year? 2. What did Bud Searcy tell Travis Coates when he visited their home? 3. What happened to Travis when he tried to catch the second pig? 4. What happened to Old Yeller when he tried to intervene? 5. Why did Travis decide to leave Old Yeller behind? What would you have done? Chapter 11 1. How did Mama clean and treat Travis wound? 2. Why does Travis insist on going back to Old Yeller? 3. What does Mama use for thread to sew up Old Yeller s wound? 4. Why does Mama send Arliss to look for a green lizard? 5. What are the signs at the end of the chapter that Travis leg has worsened? Chapter 12 1. Describe the device Mama used to keep Jumper away from the corn. 2. How did Travis react to another visit from Bud Searcy? 3. How do Mama and Travis react when Mr. Searcy offers to leave Lisbeth behind to help out their family?
Chapter 13 1. What are some of the signs that Lisbeth was a good helper? 2. Describe the actions of Spot and the roan bull during the next few days. 3. What is Travis forced to do at the end of the chapter? Chapter 14 1. Give two reasons why they had to remove the carcass. 2. What is meant by the expression, "I knew he wasn t throwing off"? 3. What were they forced to do when they couldn t move the bull? 4. Explain what happened to Spot? Chapter 15 1. Why does Travis start to worry about Mama and Lisbeth? 2. What instructions does Mama shout out to Travis? 3. What horrific scene unfolds in front of the cabin? 4. What does Mama reluctantly offer to do if Travis cannot? 5. How did you feel at the end of this chapter? 6. Do you think you would have been able to do what Travis did? Chapter 16 1. What does Papa bring for Travis? 2. Summarize what Papa tells Travis about life? 3. Specifically, why does Travis begin to feel better?
Name: Date: Class: English 7/7H Newspaper Book Report 1. Select a grade/age appropriate book. 2. Provide the following information: Title: Author: 3. Create the front page of a newspaper that includes the following 5 articles and features. (You may include a second page if more space is needed.) Be sure each article has a headline and each picture/graphic has a caption. Microsoft Word 2007 offers a School Newsletter template that could easily be modified for this assignment. If not, free newspaper templates are available online. NOTE: All text MUST be typed. A. The book s title appears in the newspaper s name at the top. The author should be mentioned in the plot article. Your name should be listed as publisher. B. Write a feature story about the book s setting and include a graphic or illustration of the setting. C. Interview the main character of the book. Be sure to include personal information about the character, his/her actions in the book, and how he/she changed throughout the book. Include a picture of the character. D. Write a feature story about the book s plot. Your story should include a plot summary that covers the problem, main events, and resolution. Include a graphic or illustration to along with the story. E. Write a letter to the editor giving your opinion of the book s theme/message as it relates to your personal life, other books/movies, and our world in general. F. Write a book review, being sure to support your opinion with evidence and examples from the book. 4. Check your work with the rubric on the back of this page. 5. SUBMIT THIS PAGE WITH YOUR NEWSPAPER BOOK REPORT.
7/7H Grade Summer Reading Newspaper Book Report Newspaper s Name includes Book Title and Plot Article tells Author 0 missing both 2 title or author 4 title and author Setting Article The setting is described thoroughly, including time and place. The season is included if it is important to the story. By reading your article, we can visualize the landscape, buildings, town, sky, etc. Main Character Interview Article The main character is described by both physical appearance and personality traits (good and bad), along with supporting examples of actions and change over time. Plot Article The plot is described, including the basic storyline, conflict, obstacles confronted, and climax. We should be able to understand what the book is about after reading your article. Letter to the Editor The letter describes the book s theme/message, and makes connections with your personal experience, other books/movies, or the world in general. Book Review Recommendation is supported by specific details/examples related to the author s writing style or plot. Pictures with Captions/Headlines for Articles Newspaper contains three pictures with captions. Each of the five articles/features has a headline. 0 1 2 3 4 (0 or 1) (2 or 3) (4 or 5) (6 or 7) (All 8) Neatness Text and design are neatly presented. Text is typed and in a newsletter/newspaper format. 1 2 3 4 numerous distractions some distractions minor distractions no distractions Conventions The project has clearly been edited, with few, if any, spelling, grammar, capitalization, or punctuation errors. 1 2 3 4 15 or more errors 13-14 errors 11-12 errors 9-10 errors