Collingswood Middle School 414 Collings Avenue Collingswood, NJ 08108 Dr. John McMullin, Principal mcmullin@collingswood.k12.nj.us 856-962-5702 June 2009 Dear Parent or Guardian: All students who will be in grade 6 next September will be required to read The Giver by Lois Lowry. A second optional book can be chosen from the list below for extra credit. The list is as follows: Boy in the Striped Pajamas John Boyle Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Jack Gantos Peak Roland Smith The Devil s Arithmetic Jane Yolen All students who will be in grade 7 next September will be required to read Dragonwings by Laurence Yep. A second optional book can be chosen from the list below for extra credit. The list is as follows: Johnny Tremain Esther Forbes The Fighting Ground Avi Sing Down the Moon Scott O Dell My Brother Sam is Dead James and Christopher Collier All students who will be in grade 8 next September will be required to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. A second optional book can be chosen from the list below for extra credit. The list is as follows: Let the Circle be Unbroken (sequel to Roll of Thunder) Mildred Taylor Slake s Limbo (a homeless boy who lives in the NY subway) Felice Holman Kim/Kim (WWII Japanese Internment) Hadley Irwin Mischling Second Degree (childhood in Nazi Germany) Ilse Koehn Project Requirements for all Students Required Book: For The Giver, Dragonwings and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, students should refer to the 2-5-8 menu attached. Projects should be completed and brought to class on the first day of school in September. Please note that we are asking parents or guardians to sign the parent evaluation sheet. Optional Book: Students will complete extra credit assignments/tests to be determined by teachers. Both assignments will be counted towards the first marking period grade in Language Arts. While it will be the responsibility of the student to obtain copies of these books, we have purchased limited sets of each title and placed them in the Collingswood Public Library for those who wish to borrow them. This list has also been shared with local bookstores for students and parents who wish to purchase these books on their own. We thank you for your support in helping promote high standards of reading in the Collingswood Public School District. Sincerely, Dr. John McMullin, Principal
Parent Evaluation Form What were the positive aspects of this assignment? What aspects do you think need improvement? If you could change anything about this assignment, what would it be? Any additional comments: Optional Information: Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print) Parent/Guardian Signature Student Name (Please Print)
Project Choices (must equal 10 points minimum) 2 points 5 points 8 points Create a t-shirt that displays a slogan and an image that represent a theme from the novel. Write an original poem of at least 12 lines that reflects a theme from the novel. Give 20 vocabulary words Write a five paragraph from the novel that compare/contrast essay: describe a character's What is the same and behavior; give definitions different about racism in and use in a sentence with the time of the novel and a context clue. in today's society? Write an "I Am" poem from the perspective of one of the characters. (see format attached) In 300 words, write a different ending for the story. Use dialogue and descriptive language. Write a literary terms booklet using the novel to provide examples for each term. (See format attached) Create a Jeopardy game that consists of four categories, with five questions in each, relating to the novel. Create a front page for a local newspaper that includes a scene from the novel as well as historical events from the time of the novel's setting. To complete the assignment, projects must total 10 points. Totals higher than 10 points will receive extra credit. All assignments will be graded on completeness, neatness, grammar, spelling, and an oral presentation of projects. Note: Computers are available at the Collingswood Public Library; students can visit the Summer Reading information link at www.collingswood.k12.nj.us
Name I Am Poem (2 points) An Poem From the perspective of: (character) I am a(n) person; I am the one who. clause I am the keeper of. phrase -ing, I am,, Present Participle (verb + -ing) adjective adjective and. I feel and -ed; Past Participle (verb + -ed) I am the person to. Infinitive I am -er, Comparative I am the -est of all. Superlative Forms of s Phrase Clause Comparative/Superlative s a steel bridge a bridge of steel a bridge that is made of steel the stronger bridge the strongest bridge
Infinitive as Present Participle (verb turned ) Past Participle (verb turned ) the person to fear a sleeping baby the mutilated toys Literary Terms Booklet Project (8 points) Use the literary terms below to make a booklet. Each page should display the following: term definition sentence/example relating to the novel graphic/illustration (may be drawn, cut out or clip art) Example: Personification: Objects or animals are given human qualities. That night, the oasis called to Matt, so he requested a safe horse and set out for his secret hiding place. antagonist climax conflict flashback static character foreshadow plot point of view protagonist resolution dynamic character setting mood theme symbolism metaphor simile hyperbole personification irony Note: The examples can be quotes from the novel or original sentences.