Incoming CCA 6 th Grader Summer Reading Packet Calvary Chapel Academy requires students to read ONE book and complete an assignment for that book over the course of the summer. This assignment has been created to encourage more student involvement, but it is important to READ THIS PACKET CAREFULLY!! Students will be given a choice for the assignment that is completed. These assignments are to be turned in on the first day of school to Mrs. Watson and will count as the first test grade of 100 points. A rubric for the assignment is attached to this packet, so students can see how their grades will be determined. REQUIREMENTS: 1. For Language Arts Summer Reading, each incoming sixth grader must read one book of their choice (details on pg. 2) and complete one assignment (pages 4-5). 2. Because of the variety of books being read, students must be bring their book to class on the first day of school in August. (Students may bring their books in on an e-reading device (i.e. Kindle, Nook, etc.) for the first day of school if necessary. 3. The required assignment must be turned in to Mrs. Watson on the first day of class. Paper copies of your projects (including power points no jump drives or emails) should be turned in on the first day of language arts class. THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS!!! 4. All students are on their honor to read new works and complete assignments. 5. The parent permission form MUST BE turned in with the student s project on the first day of school (form on pg.7). 6. Any variance from the guidelines presented in this packet (a shorter novel, a project variation, etc.) MUST BE approved ahead of time by emailing me. Mrs. Watson rwatson@ccamelb.com 6 th grade SUGGESTIONS: Please do not consider the following: 1. Procrastinating: Commit yourself to reading a pre-determined amount of chapters per day so that you re not overloaded with work the last few weeks of the summer. Don t expect to get much reading done late at night while lying in bed; choose a time early in the day. Complete the written portion of the assignment right after you finish reading the book. 2. Not Reading: Now that choice is being offered with this assignment, we encourage you to choose your book wisely and get started early!!! 3. Cheating: If any part of the written assignment is plagiarized to any extent, the entire assignment will be given a zero grade. As per our student handbook, the student will also be referred to the discipline dean.
Page 2 of 7 Summer Reading Assignments Incoming 6th grade In giving the students more freedom in choosing a book to read for his/her summer assignments, we do encounter issues of propriety. Parents must review the book that the student wants to read and sign the letter on page 7 of this packet. Each 6 th grader MUST attach the signed permission form (found on page 7) to the back of their summer reading project which is to be turned in on the first day of class. All Incoming 6 th Grade Language Arts Students: Incoming 6th grade parents will need to assist their child in the selection of a book of not less than 160-210 pages and which is one of the following genres: - Mystery (Western or Adventure) - Science Fiction - Historical Fiction - Biographical A couple of resources which available on the internet to help you search for an ageappropriate books are as follows: Booklist Center - http://home.comcast.net/~dwtaylor1/ This web site features a wide selection of booklists sorted by genre and topic. The range of lists includes fiction and nonfiction as well as all major book awards. BookSpot - http://www.bookspot.com/ BookSpot is a comprehensive web site of book-related resources, including links to lists of books by agegroup, genre, author, cultural background, and many other categories. ***Please be aware that the Language Arts Department of Calvary Chapel Academy has NOT reviewed every book on these websites, so it is imperative that you review the book choices with your child.*** SUGGESTIONS for Summer Reading Books This list of suggestions is offered for students who are struggling to choose a book on their own. NO STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO READ THESE PARTICULAR BOOKS, but these books have been assigned/required in the past and continue to be valuable choices. 6th Grade Language Arts Students Forbes - Johnny Tremaine Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia series Hamilton - Soul Surfer Alcott - Little Women Paulsen - Hatchet Wyss - Swiss Family Robinson - The Bible (any book in the Bible that is 25 chapters or more)
Page 3 of 7 Students should choose only ONE of the following assignments to complete for the book they have chosen to read. The assignments are designed to give the students choice in how they present information about their book. Students can refer to the rubric (pg.6) to see how points will be awarded for the project. Students should include a combination of TEXT AND GRAPHICS in the creation of their projects! Paper copies of projects (including power points) should be in a student s hands to turn in on the first day of language arts class. Students may compile everything by simply stapling everything together or combining in a folder. PLEASE do not turn in your project on a thumb drive or via email. ASSIGNMENT CHOICES Assignment #1 Construct a storyboard with text and graphics for each element which is no bigger than a poster board. The storyboard should include the following elements: SETTING - (A paragraph of at least five sentences explanation of the place and time the book takes place.) MAIN CHARACTERS - (At least two sentences describing each of the main characters.) ELEMENTS OF PLOT - (At least two sentences explaining the action at each part of the plot. Use specific quotations from the book when possible.) Conflict Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution THEME - (A paragraph of at least five sentences explaining the main idea or life lesson portrayed in the book. Give specific examples from the story.) OPINION (A paragraph of at least five sentences explaining your impression of the book. Would you recommend it? Why or why not? Was it what you expected? Would you change anything?) Assignment #2 Produce a newspaper that includes ALL of the following components, organized in newspaper format including columns, catchy titles for each article and the paper, and appropriate graphics:
Page 4 of 7 MAIN EVENTS - An article that summarizes the main events of the book in at least two welldeveloped paragraphs. MAIN CHARACTER/PROTAGONIST - A brief article (at least one well-developed paragraph) describing the main character (Include a catchy title and a graphic of the character in a scene.) ANTAGONIST - A brief article (at least one well-developed paragraph)about the antagonist, explaining why this person/thing is the antagonist with a graphic and a headline that relates to the antagonist NEW ENDING - An article that proposes a new ending for the book in at least two welldeveloped paragraphs DEAR ABBY COLUMN - An advice column where the main character writes a short letter seeking advice about the major problem faced in the story AND a response to the letter from the columnist EDITORIAL - An editorial giving an opinion about an issue related to the book and taking a position on that issue in two well-developed paragraphs MISCELLANEOUS - Other incidentals to fill up the space such as ads, crosswords, word searches, riddles, comic strips, or obituaries, all relating to the story Assignment #3 Generate a PowerPoint presentation with text and graphics that includes the following components: TITLE/AUTHOR (Author and title of the book) [at least 1 slide] SETTING - (A paragraph of at least five sentences explaining the place and time the book takes place.) [at least 1 slide] MAIN CHARACTERS - (At least two sentences describing each of the main characters and at least two sentences explaining any changes from the beginning to the end of the book in each character) [at least 1 slide per character] ELEMENTS OF PLOT - (At least two sentences explaining the action at each part of the plot. Use specific quotations from the book for EACH element.) [at least 1 slide per element] Conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution (Six Main Events/Ideas of the book can be substituted here for non-fiction books.)
Page 5 of 7 THEME - (A paragraph of at least five sentences explaining the main idea or life lesson portrayed in the book. Give specific examples from the story.) [at least 1 slide] OPINION (A paragraph of at least five sentences explaining your impression of the book. Would you recommend it? Why or why not? Was it what you expected? Would you change anything?) [at least 1 slide] APPLICATION (A paragraph of at least five sentences detailing how the book applies to today s society) [at least 1 slide] NEW ENDING (A paragraph of at least five sentences proposing a completely new ending to the book )[at least 1 slide] Each slide should have a well-written paragraph, well-chosen graphics, and a relevant quote from the book. ***This assignment choice can be written as a traditional essay if you choose. You can simply label each section appropriately. You will still need to adhere to the minimum requirements for each section. You should include a graphic for each section as well. Assignment #4 Write a movie script of the book that was chosen that includes the following components: POSTER - A movie poster that advertises your movie (Include the movie s rating, at least two characters, and a synopsis [which is a one or two sentence summation] of the movie.) MOVIE SCRIPT Choose three scenes from the book and re-write them in script form remaining true to the basic plot of the book. Each scene should have at least 30 lines of dialogue and 5 pieces of stage direction including how characters should move and look, what the setting is like, and entrances and exits. Your scenes should also include 3 passages/quotes taken directly from the book these may be used as dialogue or stage /scene direction. Include the page number where each direct passage can be found in your book. FOREWORD - A foreword that includes details about the movie s concept (Include an explanation of the main character(s), the basic plot, and theme of the movie in at least two welldeveloped paragraphs.) AFTERWORD - An afterword written in at least two well-developed paragraphs that proposes a possible sequel for your movie. Include details about the plot for that sequel as well as any changes for main characters.
Page 6 of 7 Name Period English Summer Reading Assignment GRADING SHEET Category Scoring Point Total Clarity of Writing (10 points) - Uses vocabulary appropriate for grade level and audience 6 7 8 9 10 Creativity (15 points) While staying true to book content: - Exhibits originality of subject or idea - Displays imagination in manner of production/presentation - Demonstrates effective expression of ideas Quality of Project (30 points) - Represents extensive study and effort - Exhibits appropriate grade level work and does not plagiarize - Creates visually appealing product (neatness, graphics ) 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 Depth of Written Expression (30 points) - Places proper emphasis on important items; shows clear understanding of the book - Portrays complete book concepts without plagiarism 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Interest Evoked (5 points) - Encourages others to read the book (OR) - Supports rationale for NOT encouraging others to read the book TOTAL PROJECT POINTS:
Page 7 of 7 PARENT SUMMER READING PERMISSION FORM (To be attached to student s summer project assignment and turned in on first day of school.) Dear Parents: In giving the students more freedom in choosing a book to read for his/her summer assignments, we do encounter issues of propriety. Please review the book that your student wants to read and sign this letter below. Your child MUST attach this letter to the back of their summer reading project which is to be turned in on the first day of class. If you have any questions about the propriety of a book, please feel free to contact your child s language arts teacher (email address can be found on page 1 of the packet) Thank you for your attention to this matter. Mrs. R. Watson 6 Language Arts My student,, has chosen to read the following book and has my permission to do so. Name of Book: Name of Author: Parent Signature Student Signature