Commack Middle School

Summer Supplemental Reading Program

8th Grade Honors Students

Dear Parents, 

We are pleased that your child will be taking Honors English and Honors Social Studies next year.  As you know, the honors program is a fast-paced, enrichment program designed for students who, like your child, are innately interested in English and Social Studies, who have outstanding reading, writing, and conceptual skills, and who are eager to work hard to learn much. 

The teachers of English 8H and our librarians have agreed that it is reasonable to require all the honors students to read at least two books during the summer which will enhance their education through literature.  The required readings include any one of the following novels:

·         The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

·         The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

·         The Glory Field by Walter Dean Meyers

·         The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck                                                                                                                    

The supplementary novel must be selected from the following list: 

·          Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

·          The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

·          A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

·          The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

·          A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

·          Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring) by J.R.R. Tolkien  

 The required novel will be loaned to the students for the summer.  If you have any difficulty finding copies of the supplementary novel, a number of copies of each book will be available in the main office of the Middle School on a first come-first served basis, after June 25. 

In addition to their summer reading book, students will also receive a writing assignment, a “Reading Response Assignment,” for the two summer reading books, a rubric showing the criteria by which the writing assignments will be graded, and a manila envelope containing his/her personal narrative which was completed during the school year.  All of these must be returned to their new English teacher by Wednesday, September 15, 2004. 

As always, we appreciate your support of our program, and we thank you for encouraging your child to excel.

Sincerely yours,

 Pamela J. Travis-Moore
 Principal

Eighth Grade Summer Reading Response Assignment 

Please respond to items 1 through 4.  Please note that while answering the questions you may NOT use the same passages twice.  Your completed assignment will have three complete paragraphs of approximately fifty words each and a completed character trait chart.  In your responses, be sure to provide evidence from the passages you have selected and answer ALL parts of the question. 

This assignment is due on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 and will count as a writing grade for marking period one.  Your response must be typed in “Times New Roman” 12-point font, double-spaced and stapled in the top left corner.  The proper heading should be:

Your Name                                                                             Date
Teacher                                                                                   English 8 Period ___ 

                                               Title and author’s name 

1.      A Meaningful Passage (a line, paragraph, part of a page, dialogue) (25 points)

·         Select and copy (quotes or italics) a significant passage (1-5 sentences) from the novel that was important to the plot 

·         Explain the importance (significance) of the passage and why you chose it   

·         Use specific examples (at least 2) from text as support. 

2.     2. Characterization  (25 points)

The way a character acts, speaks and thinks reveals different aspects of his/her personality.  Such characterization helps the reader to determine a character’s personality trait(s).  Complete the attached chart.  Be sure to:

·         write down the name of one of the main characters in the novel

·         write three of his/her character traits (adjectives)

·         use proof/supporting details from the novel (an interaction with others; an event involving him/her; a statement spoken by the character) that demonstrates the trait of the character you have chosen. 

3. If I Could Change…(25 points)

Pretend you could make a significant change to the novel.  What change would you make?  Why is this change needed?  How/why does this make the story better?  How would this change impact the main conflict of the story and the characters (two or more)?  Be sure to:

• describe changes made
• explain why change is needed and why this is better
• explain how this impacts the characters and plot.

4.  Making Connections (25 points)

Choose one of the following and respond in a paragraph of approximately 50 words.  Be sure your comparison relates to a significant idea from the novel.

• Relate a passage from the novel to something you have previously read, either on your own or in school (a novel, short story or play), by discussing the similarities and/or differences.

OR

•  Relate a passage to your life, a TV show, a news event or a movie by discussing the similarities and/or differences.  Be sure to:

• copy a passage in quotes or italics
• explain comparison
• make a connection of a significant (important) nature
• use specific examples to support your opinion.

                  ENGLISH 8 SUMMER READING RUBRIC

Name __________________                                          Date __________

Teacher _________________                                            English ___ Period ___ 

 Teacher Comments:

Back

Index