Middle School Summer Reading Project Mountain Island Lake Academy has high expectations for all students literacy development. All students are expected to be actively involved in their own reading lives as well as participate in writing assignments in all content areas. Students will perform at high levels and will be cultivated in a rigorous environment. It is imperative that students continue to practice successful reading and writing habits during summer months! All MILA middle grades students are expected to participate in the summer reading program. Students are encouraged to read a wide variety of materials over the summer. A minimum of one book project should be completed and is due on or before Friday, September 25, 2015. Extra credit will be given to students who complete and turn in the project on the first day of class. The titles listed are recommended selections that middle school students should enjoy. Students are welcome to select a title from the list provided or an alternate title based on their own interest. Books on the list need not be purchased unless you choose to do so. Alll are available at the local public library. The chart below lists recommended book titles and their corresponding Lexile levels. A higher Lexile level indicates a more difficult book. You can visit www.lexile.com to learn more about book levels. Book Title (Author) Among the Hidden (Haddox) Lightning Thief (Riordan) The Hobbit (Tolkein) The Tale of Despereaux (DiCamillo) Freak the Mighty (Philbrick) The Red Scarf (Jiang) Woodsong (Paulsen) Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (Carson Copper Sun (Draper) My Brother Sam is Dead (Collier) Esperanza Rising ( Ryan) Stormbreaker (Horowitz) Bridge to Terebithia (Paterson) Out of the Dust (Hesse) The Call of the Wild (London) House on Mango Street (Cisneros) White Fang (London) Hatchet (Paulsen) Bud, Not Buddy (Curtis) The Outsiders (Hinton) n, Murphy) 950 Lexile Level 800 470 1000 670 1000 780 1090 820 770 750 670 810 1040 990 870 690 1020 950 750 Below are the options for the book project. Students should review all options and select the one they feel most comfortable with. The quality of work will be evaluated by the rubric below. Be sure to demonstrate your best work! Option 1 Summer Reading Project Options Story Notes Graphic Organizer
Option 2 Novel Information Report Option 3 Story Board Option 1: Story Notes Main Characters (Tip: Before listing them, determine what makes someone a main character. ) Setting (Tip: Includes not just time, but place and atmosphere.) Primary Conflicts/Central Problems Main Events (Tip: Before listing them, determine the criteria for a main event. ) Climax Resolution Observations/Conclusions (Tip: Consider important themes, surprises, and connections to your life, other books, or classes.)
Option 2: Novel Information Report Please answer the following questions about the novel you read. Use an extra sheet of paper to continue your answers if necessary. Title: Author: Copyright Date: Number of Pages: 1. Express your personal opinion about the book. I liked it, or I hated it, or It was okay, are not sufficient. Explain your reasons for liking or disliking the book. Give examples from the book that support your opinions. To whom would you recommend your book and why? 2. What is the central idea discussed in the book? What issues or ideas does the author explore? 3. Discuss one specific passage that struck you as significant- or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad What was memorable? Quote (word for word) the passage from your book. Explain why you think the passage has value and is worth remembering. Include page numbers. 4. Discuss a second specific passage that struck you as significant- or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad What was memorable? Quote (word for word) the passage from your book. Explain why you think the passage has value and is worth remembering. Include page numbers.
Option 3: Story Board On a piece of white computer paper (or poster board) create a Story Information Board. You will discuss the setting, plot, characters and theme. Your page should be set up like the example below. FRONT OF THE PAGE Setting Plot BACK OF THE PAGE Characters Theme On the top half of this column, write one paragraph (5-8 sentences) describing the setting of the story. Use as much detail as possible. On the bottom half of this column, draw a picture of your favorite setting from the story. Use this column to write two paragraphs (5-8 sentences each) detailing the plot. Remember to include what happens at the beginning, middle, and end. Make sure to use your own words. Feel free to include any quotes from the novel that you liked. Select three characters from your story. Write a one paragraph character description for each one. Make sure you include details about their physical appearance, personality and relationships with other characters. A theme is the author s message. What is the author trying to tell the reader about human nature? Write one paragraph describing the theme of your story. On the bottom half of the column, draw a picture of the theme. Rubric NAME OPTIONAL: Draw a picture of your characters beneath the description. Effort Comprehension of Novel 4 3 2 1 All requirements are met with more than two strong pieces of textual evidence. Textual evidence is significant and includes a sophisticated Project portrays complete understanding of the novel. All requirements are met with two pieces of textual evidence. Textual evidence is significant and includes an adequate Project portrays strong understanding of the novel. Some requirements are met with one piece of textual evidence. Textual evidence lacks a connection between the novel and the Project portrays weak understanding of the novel. Few requirements are met with no textual evidence and/or explanation provided. Project portrays little to no understanding of the novel.
GUMS -Grammar -Usage -Mechanics -Spelling No GUMS errors. 1-3 GUMS errors. 4-6 GUMS errors. 7 or more GUMS errors.