Middle School English Department Reading Assignments Summer 2017 English - Grade 6 Select one novel from the following list: Hatchet by Gary Paulson* Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rauls* The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi* Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George* My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George* One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia* * indicates digital books Summer Reading: Grade 6 Select two novels to read from the summer reading list and complete the following two assignments. After reading Literary Terms of Fiction, complete Identifying Story Elements for the novels you read. Please be aware that the novels you read may not contain every story element as listed. If a story element does not pertain to your novels, just leave it blank. Also, write and answer six questions that begin with How or Why for each novel. Support each answer with details from the novel. Literary Terms of Fiction : Antagonist- a character or force in conflict with the main characters, or protagonist, in a literary work Character- a person or animal who takes part in the action of a literary work; a dynamic character changes; a static character does not change. Climax- the turning point in the story
Conflict- the struggle between opposing forces; an external conflict occurs between a character and some outside force; an internal conflict occurs within the character. Dialect- the form of a language spoken by people in a particular region or group Flashback- a section of a literary work that interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from an earlier time Foreshadowing- the use, in a literary work, of clues that suggest events that have yet to occur Narrator- the voice telling the story Plot- the sequence of events in a literary work Protagonist- the hero or central character of a literary work Point of View- the perspective from which a story is told * First person point of view- when a character within the plot tells the story- uses I * Third person point of view- when a voice outside the plot tells the story- uses we, us * Limited point of view- when the voice is limited to knowing the internal thoughts and feelings of one character * Third person omniscient- when the voice knows all Setting- the time and place of the story Symbolism- an object that stands for or represents something else Theme- the central idea or message in the story
Identifying Story Elements Title and Author of Novel: Setting: Characters: Major: Minor: Protagonist: Antagonist: Conflicts: Person against person: Person against self:
Person against nature: Person against society: Person against fate: Climax: Resolution:
English - Grade 7 Seventh grade students should choose two of the following novels and complete one project for each book. This assignment is due on the first day of class. Choose two: Crispin: Cross of Lead by Avi The Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Book Project #1: Dear Diary Pretend that you are the main character of your novel. You are to write three (3) one-page diary entries that the main character would have created. Be certain to include the events of the plot, setting and mood of the novel in your diary entries. Students will be graded on accuracy, effort and mechanics. This project should be typed. Book Project #2: I Have a Question Write and answer FIVE questions that begin with "How" or "Why" on the novel. Support each answer with details from the novel. Each answer should be at least four to five sentences long. The questions and answers should reflect events of the plot, setting and mood of the novel. Students will be graded on accuracy, depth, effort and mechanics. This project should be typed.
English - Grade 8 Eighth grade students must read two books. The first book is Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson. You will be expected to write about the book during the first week of school. For the second book, students should choose one of the following novels and then complete one project for the novel. This assignment is due on the first day of school. Required: Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson Choose one of the following books: Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Book Project #1: Interview a Character After reading the novel, you are to construct a mock interview session with one of the main characters. The interview should feature five thought-provoking questions and the character's five detailed responses. Each response should be at least four to five sentences long, with examples from the novel. The interview should reflect the plot, setting, conflict, character development and mood of the novel. This project will be graded on accuracy, depth, effort and mechanics. The project should be typed. Book Project # 2: Write a Book Critique For this assignment, you will write a critique on three of the book's strengths and one of its weaknesses. You will need to provide adequate support for your opinions, so be sure to give at least three examples of each strength and weakness. You may critique the book on its plot, setting, conflict, character development, and mood, and imagery (which includes figurative language), or use of irony. In your closing, you should tell whether you would recommend the book to others. This project will be graded on accuracy, depth, effort and mechanics. The project should be typed.