Sacred Heart School Summer Reading Assignment Incoming Seventh Grade

Transcription

1 Dear Parents and Sixth Grade Students: Sacred Heart School Summer Reading Assignment Incoming Seventh Grade The following summer reading and writing assignments are required for all current sixth grade students entering seventh grade. Please note that we begin the year in Social Studies learning about early American history, and we then cover the colonies and the American Revolution. *Read the following books: 1. The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney (Historical Fiction) AND 2. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (Historical Fiction) *For each book you must do the following in a thin marble notebook. Complete the work for one novel in the front of the notebook, and complete the work for the other novel at the back of the notebook. A. Vocabulary Create a glossary that includes ten new words from the book. You must define each word and write the sentence from the book. B. Writing You must copy and answer the attached questions for each novel. In addition to the above assignments, students must write the following essay. It may be written on loose leaf or typed. It will be collected with the marble notebook. All assignments must be completed to receive full credit for summer work. A grade will be given and factored into your first quarter grade in ELA. Essay: Discuss the difficult obstacles experienced by the characters of Mercy Carter and Johnny Tremain. In your essay be sure to include the following: Paragraph 1 Introduction, including how obstacles shape literary characters Paragraph 2 The obstacles faced by Mercy Carter and how they influenced her (provide examples from the text) Paragraph 3 The obstacles faced by Johnny Tremain and how they influenced him (provide examples from the text) Paragraph 4 Conclusion, including some related questions you would like to ask the authors I wish everyone a healthy and restful summer and look forward to seeing you in September. Mrs. Gullo

2 The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney This novel deals with the following themes: A. Courage 1. What is your definition of courage? 2. How might Mercy Carter define courage? 3. How did children in the colonies learn courage in their daily lives? 4. There are times throughout the journey that Mercy shows an exceptional amount of courage. Discuss whether her courage is driven by feelings of responsibility for her siblings. 5. At what moments does she almost lose her courage? B. Fear 1. People deal with fear in different ways. Compare and contrast how Mercy, Ruth, and Eben deal with fear. How do they help one another face their fears? 2. At what point in the novel does Mercy lose her fear and begin to feel safe among the Indians? How is this shown through the author s use of language? C. Survival 1. Many of the people taken captive in Deerfield die on the 300-mile journey. How do the Indians decide who will live and who will die? 2. Why are the survivors important to the Indians? 3. It becomes evident early in the story that Mercy Carter is a survivor. What is it about Mercy s personality that makes her a survivor? 4. Discuss things that she learns about the Indians that make her survive the horrendous journey. D. Family 1. Discuss Mercy s role in keeping her family together. 2. Why do Indians separate family members on the journey to Canada? 3. Why does Mercy feel guilty about Marah s death? 4. Discuss the structure of the Indian family. 5. Why is Mercy surprised at the daily routine of the Indian women and children? 6. At what point in the novel does Mercy begin to feel part of the Indian family?

3 E. Prejudice 1. The people of Deerfield often refer to the Indians as savages. Why do you think such a derogatory term was used to describe the Indians? Do you think this term is applicable? Explain. 2. At what point in the novel does Mercy discover that these savages have their own traditions and family? 3. How does Mercy feel about the Indians by the end of the novel? ***Copy and answer these questions in complete sentences in your marble notebook. Most answers will require more than one sentence. ***Remember to include your vocabulary glossary with 10 new words from the novel, accompanied with the sentence from the book.

4 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes Chapter What is your opinion of Johnny before the accident? Does your opinion of Johnny change after the accident? If so, how? 2. How do you think you might react in Johnny s situation? What advice would you give to him? 3. Describe Johnny s position and his behavior in the Lapham household at the beginning of the novel. What does his behavior reveal about his character? 4. What happens to change Johnny s position in the family? What role does Dove play in this event? How does Johnny react to his new status? 5. What obstacles does Johnny face as he tries to redirect his life? How does Johnny s friend Rab help him? How does their friendship change Johnny? 6. Compare and contrast the daily lives of teenagers in Johnny s world with the lives of teenagers in your own community. 7. Evaluate the tactics that the Sons of Liberty use to further their cause. Do you think such tactics are justified? Why or why not? Chapters In these chapters, Johnny becomes involved in some important historical events. What aspect of his involvement made the strongest impression on you? Explain your choice. 2. Does the idea of playing a personal role in historical events appeal to you? Why or why not? 3. Explain the British tax on colonial tea. What response is planned by Sam Adams and the other Observers? How does Johnny help implement these plans? 4. Describe Johnny s relationship with Cilla, Lavinia, and Dove now that Johnny is living with Rab and his family. What do these relationships reveal about Johnny and his personal growth? 5. What positions in favor of revolution are argued by Sam Adams and James Otis? How does Johnny react to Otis s words? 6. Do you think the Bostonians are justified in their reaction to the tax on tea? Why or why not? Do you think Britain s response is fair? Explain.

5 7. In your opinion, is Rab a good friend to Johnny? Give reasons for your answer. Chapters Esther Forbes said that she wanted to give Johnny room enough to change and grow. Do you think she succeeded? Why or why not? 2. What are some ways that the Patriots prepare for war? How would you describe the mood between Bostonians and the British troops occupying their city? 3. Explain how the Minute Men learn of the British army s battle plans. What do these efforts reveal about the Patriot s commitment to independence? 4. Summarize what happens after Johnny finds Rab at Lexington. At the end of the novel, what decision does Johnny make about his future? What does this decision reveal about his values and character? 5. How does the author create suspense during the final chapters of the novel? 6. According to Johnny, at sixteen he is A boy in time of peace and a man in time of war. Do you agree with this statement? Do you think more is expected of young people when a country is at war? Explain. ***Copy and answer these questions in complete sentences in your marble notebook. Most answers will require more than one sentence. ***Remember to include your vocabulary glossary with 10 new words from the novel, accompanied with the sentence from the book.