Wrapping up the year and looking ahead (including summer work)

Wow, what a whirlwind it has been over the last few weeks! The 7th graders have so much to be proud of as they wrapped up Romeo and Juliet, wrote beautifully executed persuasive essays for or against teaching the play to middle schoolers, and, of course, presented their terrific soundtrack projects. If you're on campus this summer, stop by Robinson to see their album covers displayed outside my classroom - they're awesome!

Looking ahead, while everyone has earned a vacation, we expect that students will continue to read and write over the summer. Below are the directions for middle school summer work (rising 6th - 8th). These assignments have been given to the students in hard copy form and discussed at length. Please email me if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing about everyone's summer reading in their thoughtful letter-essays, and I am especially excited about the book poster project, which will be a way for all intermediate and middle school students to share their terrific book recommendations and grow our "to-read someday" lists when we meet again in the fall!

Happy reading!

Cheers,
Mrs. Liu

TCS Middle School Summer Reading 2017

Incoming grade 6

• Read the required novel Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. (Do not do any of the following projects on Stargirl, however; just be ready for discussion and deep thinking when you get back to school!)

• Read an Intermediate or Teen Nutmeg book from the list of 2018 nominees: Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees for 2018  OR Teen Nutmeg Nominees for 2018.

• Read a biography of a current or historical leader (remember, “leader” is a broad term).
• Write two letter-essays (one will respond to your Nutmeg and the other to your biography choice) based on the following prompts:
• How does the main character change throughout the novel? Give examples of growth throughout the book.
• Why do you think the author chose this title? What connections do you see with the title throughout the work?
• Each entry must be AT LEAST ONE PAGE in length, typed, double spaced.
• Remember that a letter-essay combines solid analysis of your reading with personal reflection in a casual, conversational tone.
• You can choose one prompt per essay or try to tackle both prompts in separate paragraphs in responding to each book - your choice.
• Complete the book poster assignment (listed below) for either of your CHOICE books (not Stargirl).
• All work is due on the first day of school.

Incoming grade 7

• Read the required novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. (Do not do any of the following projects on The Outsiders, however; just be ready for discussion and deep thinking when you get back to school!)
• Read a Teen 2018 Nutmeg Nominee. Teen Nutmeg Nominees for 2018
• Read a Newbery Winner (any year). Newberry Winners from 1922 - Present
• Write two letter-essays (one will respond to your Nutmeg and the other to your Newbery) based on the following prompts:
• How does the main character change throughout the novel? Give examples of growth throughout the book.
• Why do you think the author chose this title? What connections do you see with the title throughout the work?
• Each entry must be AT LEAST ONE PAGE in length, typed, double spaced.
• Remember that a letter-essay combines solid analysis of your reading with personal reflection in a casual, conversational tone.
• You can choose one prompt per essay or try to tackle both prompts in separate paragraphs in responding to each book - your choice.
• Complete the book poster assignment (listed below) for either of your CHOICE books (not The Outsiders).
• All work is due on the first day of school.

Incoming grade 8

• Read the required short story collection, Flying Lessons and Other Stories. (READ ALL OF THE STORIES! Do not do any of the following projects on Flying Lessons and Other Stories, however; just be ready for discussion and deep thinking when you get back to school!)
• Read a Teen 2018 Nutmeg Nominee. Teen Nutmeg Nominees for 2018
• Read March, Book One by John Lewis.
• Write two letter-essays (one will respond to your Nutmeg and the other to March) based on the following prompts:
• How does the main character change throughout the novel? Give examples of growth throughout the book.
• Why do you think the author chose this title for the novel? What connections do you see with the title throughout the work?
• Each entry must be AT LEAST ONE PAGE in length, typed, double spaced.
• Remember that a letter-essay combines solid analysis of your reading with personal reflection in a casual, conversational tone.
• You can choose one prompt per essay or try to tackle both prompts in separate paragraphs in responding to each book - your choice.
• Complete the book poster assignment (listed below) for either of your CHOICE books (not Flying Lessons and Other Stories).
• All work is due on the first day of school.

Book Poster Assignment

Sales are down in the young adult literature section of your local bookstore.  You have been hired to help boost revenue by promoting the best book you read this summer.  The manager of the bookstore has even promised to display your persuasive poster in the front window!

Be sure to do the following when creating your poster:

• “Hook” your audience with a quote or two from the novel.
• Make your poster eye-catching and colorful - earn that spot in the window!
• Use vivid language to sell the story.
• Prominently include the title, author, and genre.
• Target your audience - who would want to read the book and why?  

Be creative, but remember that the substance of your poster is the novel itself.  Don’t get so caught up in your artistry that you forget the purpose of the assignment - to help boost sales at the bookstore!

Rubric

_____/20 “Hook” your audience with a quote or two from the novel.

_____/30 Make your poster eye-catching and colorful - earn that spot in the window!

_____/20 Use vivid language to sell the story.

_____/10 Prominently include the title, author, and genre (and of course, your name)

_____/20 Target your audience - who would want to read the book and why?  

_____/100 TOTAL