Commack Middle School
Summer Supplemental Reading Program
Summer Reading Assignment for Incoming 6th Grade Students
Reading choices: The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars or
Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K.Rowling
The purpose of this assignment is to promote active reading. Be sure to number your responses. Your assignment should be typed, double-spaced and include your name and the title of the book you chose to read. This assignment should be presented to your Reading/Language Arts teacher at the beginning of the new school year, on or before Wednesday, September 15, 2004. This assignment will be counted as a quiz grade for marking period one.
1) Characterization
A. Choose one character and list two or more of his/her traits (physical and emotional, i.e., blue eyes, happy)
B. Write a paragraph explaining how the character you chose changes from the beginning of the book to the end of the book.
2) The Ending
A. Using a complete sentence, state your opinion of how the book ends.
B. In a complete sentence, state what lesson(s) the main character learn(s).
C. Re-write a new ending paragraph for the book.
3) Making Connections
Think of a book you have recently read either on your own or in school and compare it to this book. In a paragraph discuss four similarities and/or four differences between the two books.
4) Personal Creativity
Create a “bookmark.” The size of the bookmark should be 1 1/2" x5 1/2". Using color and creativity, draw a picture of one of the settings found in the story.
Character Traits:
Character Traits are the qualities that make up a person’s personality or usual patterns of behavior. These qualities make a person an individual. Character traits are not physical, external descriptions of a person, but rather descriptions of a person’s inner qualities.
Examples of Character Traits:
POSITIVE TRAITS
NEGATIVE TRAITS
unselfish
selfish, egotistical
brave, courageous
cowardly, weak
daring, bold
meek, shy
adventurous
fearful
kindhearted
coldhearted
generous,
cheap, miserly
considerate, caring
uncaring, indifferent
active
inactive
industrious
lazy
determined, resolute
indecisive, wavering
persevering, persistent
loyal
disloyal
respectful
disrespectful
honest
deceptive, dishonest
passive
aggressive
unique
ordinary
tough, hardened
vulnerable
strong-minded
weak-minded
comical
skillful
awkward, clumsy
cheerful
depressed
optimistic
pessimistic
talented, gifted
insightful, perceptive
oblivious
clever, ingenious
ignorant
wise
unwise
creative, inventive
patient
impatient
tolerant
intolerant