Northside Christian Academy Summer Reading Requirements At Northside Christian Academy, we strive to teach students to think, learn and live from a Biblical worldview. Part of shaping a student s worldview is teaching them how to read quality literature and critically consider it. As you know, the essential work of helping students define their worldview does not stop during the summer months. Therefore, NCA has designed a Summer Reading Program to engage our students in meaningful and enjoyable reading that strengthens their reading skills and broadens their base of knowledge. Like any other skill, reading requires practice, and such practice is necessary if students are to increase fluency, expand vocabulary and deepen comprehension. The books on the Summer Reading list have been chosen because they are time-tested works of literature that have something of lasting significance to offer to those who read them. A love of great books will only be cultivated by exposure to great books. Our Summer Reading Program represents a required reading assignment, and a parent's role in supporting the program is invaluable. Please note the following guidelines of the program: Students will read the required books for the grade level they are entering. All assignments are due the first day of school and will be counted as a grade for the first grading period. Books are not to be "read" via Spark Notes, Wikipedia, or any other alternative to the real thing. Summer Reading List for Grades 1 and 2 First Grade 10 books from the literature list attached Bible Selection: I Corinthians 13:4-7, Psalm 23 Second Grade * The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dagliesh 10 books from the literature list attached/complete First Grade Readers Bible Selection: Ephesians 6:13-18 Reading Assignments Rising 1st grade students will read the Bible selection and read 10 books from the literature list. Please use the first grade reading log to document selections. Rising 2nd grade students will read the required book* and complete the summer book report form. They will also read the Bible selection, plus 10 additional books from the literature list. (If your child has not completed the Abeka First Grade Readers, they must read these as part of the 10 additional books). Please use the second grade reading log to document selections.
*Rising Second Graders: If your child did not finish their ABeka readers, these need to be read before school starts. They may be used in lieu of the 10 books. Please still log the books onto the reading log. First and Second Grade Reading Log 1) Book Title Date Parent Signature 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)
2 nd Grade Summer Book Report for The Courage of Sarah Noble Directions: Please do your best to complete each section below. To receive full credit, you must write/draw neatly and provide detailed answers and/or illustrations. You may write in cursive or print. THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE BY FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. Points will be deducted for late assignments. (10 Points for the section below) Name: _ Date: Title of Book: Author: Main Character: Setting: Draw a picture of the main character. Write a sentence describing what he/she is doing in the picture. Use crayons, markers or colored pencils to add color. (20 Points)
Draw a picture of your favorite scene. Write a sentence describing what is happening in the picture. Use crayons, markers or colored pencils to add color. (20 Points) Imagine that you are the writer of this book, how would you have ended the story? Please explain in at least 2 sentences. (20 Points) How does this story or its main characters remind you of something in your own life? Please explain in at least 2 sentences. (20 Points)
Write a Bible verse that relates well to this story. (10 Points) Grading Rubric for Summer Book Report Courage of Sarah Noble Book Report Due on Friday of the first week of school Name: Final Grade: Introduction: Main Character Picture and Description: Favorite Scene and Description: New Ending to the Story Personal Connection Bible Verse Connection: Comments:
Northside Christian Academy Summer Reading Requirements At Northside Christian Academy, we strive to teach students to think, learn and live from a Biblical worldview. Part of shaping a student s worldview is teaching them how to read quality literature and critically consider it. As you know, the essential work of helping students define their worldview does not stop during the summer months. Therefore, NCA has designed a Summer Reading Program to engage our students in meaningful and enjoyable reading that strengthens their reading skills and broadens their base of knowledge. Like any other skill, reading requires practice, and such practice is necessary if students are to increase fluency, expand vocabulary and deepen comprehension. The books on the Summer Reading list have been chosen because they are time-tested works of literature that have something of lasting significance to offer to those who read them. A love of great books will only be cultivated by exposure to great books. Our Summer Reading Program represents a required reading assignment, and a parent's role in supporting the program is invaluable. Please note the following guidelines of the program: Students will read the required books for the grade level they are entering. All assignments are due the first day of school and will be counted as a grade for the first grading period. Books are not to be "read" via Spark Notes, Wikipedia, or any other alternative to the real thing. Summer Reading List for Grades 3, 4, and 5 Third Grade Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder Swamp Fox by Idella Bodie Bible Selection: 1 Corinthians Ch. 13 Fourth Grade Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Bible Selection: Genesis Ch. 1 Fifth Grade Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross Huguenot Garden by Douglas M. Jones III Bible Selection: The book of Colossians Reading Assignments Rising 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade students will read the required books on the summer reading list and complete the summer reading form. They will also read the Bible selection.
Summer Reading Map for Grades 3, 4, and 5 Name Title of Story: Date Author: Characters (List major and minor characters. Give names, descriptions, traits, feelings, ) Setting (Tell when and where. Be descriptive.) Problem/Conflict (Use sentences to explain what leads characters to act the way they did.)
Plot (major sequence of events in order... the action) Beginning Middle Ending _ Solution/Resolution (Use sentences to tell how the problem got solved or resolved.) Theme/Author s Message (Use sentences to answer questions. What is the recurring main idea or what do readers learn? How should they avoid this problem in the future?) Biblical Connections (Explain with sentences.) Life Application (Answers should be sentences. What is the point of this text for me?)
Northside Christian Academy Summer Reading Requirements At Northside Christian Academy, we strive to teach students to think, learn and live from a Biblical worldview. Part of shaping a student s worldview is teaching them how to read quality literature and critically consider it. As you know, the essential work of helping students define their worldview does not stop during the summer months. Therefore, NCA has designed a Summer Reading Program to engage our students in meaningful and enjoyable reading that strengthens their reading skills and broadens their base of knowledge. Like any other skill, reading requires practice, and such practice is necessary if students are to increase fluency, expand vocabulary and deepen comprehension. The books on the Summer Reading list have been chosen because they are time-tested works of literature that have something of lasting significance to offer to those who read them. A love of great books will only be cultivated by exposure to great books. Our Summer Reading Program represents a required reading assignment, and a parent's role in supporting the program is invaluable. Please note the following guidelines of the program: Students will read the required books for the grade level they are entering. All assignments are due the first day of school and will be counted as a grade for the first grading period. Books are not to be "read" via Spark Notes, Wikipedia, or any other alternative to the real thing. Summer Reading List for Grades 6 to 12 Sixth Grade Crispin Vol. 2 At the Edge of the World by Avi The Case for Christ For Kids by Lee Strobel Bible Selection: The book of Philippians Seventh Grade The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell Bible Selection: The book of I John Eighth Grade The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Do Hard Things by Alex Harris Bible Selection: The book of Proverbs Ninth Grade All Creatures Great & Small by James Herriott Crazy Love by Francis Chan Bible Selection: Psalm 119
Tenth Grade The Best Question Ever by Andy Stanley Peace Child by John Richardson Bible Selection: The book of Proverbs Eleventh Grade The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley Radical by David Platt Bible Selection: The book of Romans Twelfth Grade Counter Culture by David Platt Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis Bible Selection: Book of Ephesians Extra Credit: I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai Most assigned book selections are available for purchase through Amazon.com, Christianbook.com or from other booksellers. Some of the books will be available in the public library. Report forms and logs are attached; literature lists can be located on the Northside Christian Academy website. Reading Assignments (one per selection) 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade assignment for the fiction book selection: Make a mini book: Your book should be on paper, cardboard, poster board, etc. and should have 10 pages (including the front and back covers). The typical size of a mini-book is roughly 4.5 x6. On the front cover, illustrate cover art for your book, write the title and author of the book as well On the next page (back side of your cover) write the bibliographic information for your book: publisher, where the book was published, and the copyright date. This would be a good place to put your name as well. The next page is a Title Page for your book (again, this page usually has the title of the book, the author, and possibly another illustration) The middle section (four facing pages) of your mini-book should contain a paragraph about the characters and setting, a paragraph about the conflict and plot, a paragraph about the climax and resolution, and one paragraph about Biblical connections and life application. For middle school, a paragraph is defined as six sentences including the topic sentence and the concluding sentence. The next two facing pages of your mini-book should contain an illustration of your favorite part of the novel, along with an explanation telling why it is your favorite part. The next page after that should be used to write and define five words from the book
whose definitions you did not know (please include page numbers next to the words) The inside of the back cover should be used to write a brief about the author paragraph. This information should be about the author of the book you read, not the author of the mini-book which would be you! On the back cover, write a teaser for the book that would entice others to read it. Think of this part as if you were trying to sell the novel to others ( a fascinating tale of romance, chivalry, and intrigue etc.). 9 th 12 th grade assignment for the fiction book selection (Please refer to the attached Upper School English rubric for guidance). Create notebook entries by writing in response to the following: Title and Author Date of Original Publication Characters: Write sentences to give a brief description of each (identify the main antagonist and protagonist) Setting: Time and Place Plot synopsis, including the ending: ten to eighteen sentences Theme Personal response to the content and style of the book: at least two to three sentences Biblical Connection Life Application 6 th 12 th grade assignment for the nonfiction book selection without a plot: Create notebook entries by writing in response to the following: What is really important about this story? What does this text say about the world? What does this text say about life? What is the point of this text for me? What is the story underneath the story? What does the author want me to think about when I am reading this story? Does it matter if people read this story? Why should or shouldn t they? How does this story relate to the gospel of Jesus? 6 th 12 th grade assignment for scripture readings: Students should read the selection listed and create a 5 minute devotion/activity to share with the class the first week of school.
Upper School English Rubric CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Demonstration of comprehension All parts of the reading response reflect the student read and understood beyond the literal level. Most of the reading response reflects that the student read and understood at or beyond the literal level. Aspects of the response reflect student understood at the literal level but needs to do more analysis, make connections, and support interpretations. The reading response needs much more evidence to confirm that the student read and understood the text. Accuracy of Facts (Content) All supportive facts are reported accurately. Almost all supportive facts are reported accurately. Most supportive facts are reported accurately. NO facts are reported OR most are inaccurately reported. Sentence Structure (Sentence Fluency) All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure. Most sentences are well-constructed with varied structure. Most sentences are well-constructed but have a similar structure. Sentences lack structure and appear incomplete or rambling. Grammar & Spelling (Conventions) Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. Capitalization & Punctuation (Conventions) No errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the paper is exceptionally easy to read. Writer makes 1 or 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the paper is still easy to read. Few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt flow. Several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and greatly interrupt the flow. Biblical Integration Scripture is quoted. Consistent expression of ideas from text shows analysis, synthesis, and evaluation demonstrating understanding well Most of the response synthesizes, analyzes, and/or expresses key ideas in the text to demonstrate understanding The response is unsupported. Key ideas are minimally expressed to demonstrate understanding The response should be revised to summarize, paraphrase, or express key ideas in the text to demonstrate understanding. No scripture is quoted.