Grade+7+Summer+Reading+Assignment


 * Welcome, Incoming 7th Graders! **

We are looking forward to meeting you in the fall and working with you this year. We hope that you will continue to read many different things over the summer – books, blogs, articles, poetry, etc. To kick off the year, you will be sharing //one// great novel from your summer reading with your Literature Links class. We hope that hearing about all the great books your peers read over the summer will help you find some new books to add to your own “Books I Want to Read” list!

//Why read over the summer?// Reading over the summer is not only a great escape for your imagination, but it helps you to use and hold on to all the reading skills you have developed. Summer reading prepares you to be a stronger student when you come back to school!

** STEP #1 **


 * READ ** a grade-appropriate work of fiction of interest to you. If you need help finding a book, try looking at websites such as[| www.goodreads.com]. Here are some possibilities based on //The New York Times// Best Sellers List. These are just suggested titles – choose something of interest at your own reading level. Be sure your parent/guardian approves of your selection.


 * New York Times Best Sellers – Middle Grades **


 * PAX, ** by Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Jon Klassen. (Balzer & Bray.) Separation makes a boy and his pet fox wilder and tougher.


 * WONDER, ** by R. J. Palacio. (Knopf.) A boy with a facial deformity enters school.


 * THE SWORD OF SUMMER, ** by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion.) A homeless teenager tries to retrieve an ancient Norse sword.


 * AUGGIE & ME, ** by R. J. Palacio. (Knopf.) A collection of three "Wonder" stories.


 * MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY OLYMPICS, ** by Chris Grabenstein. (Random House.) Teams compete while trying to solve the mystery of the missing books.


 * ROBOTS GO WILD, ** by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein. Illustrated by Juliana Neufeld. (Little, Brown.) A sequel features a boy and his robot trying to help a bedridden sister.


 * CRENSHAW, ** by Katherine Applegate. (Feiwel & Friends.) A giant cat on a surfboard appears to a boy on the verge of homelessness.


 * BAD LUCK, ** by Pseudonymous Bosch. (Little, Brown.) Clay proves his mettle when a cruise ship owner arrives on the island intent on stirring up trouble.


 * THE TERRIBLE TWO GET WORSE, ** by Mac Barnett and Jory John. Illustrated by Kevin Cornell. (Abrams.) Pranksters face a new challenge when a former principal returns to the job.

** Step #2 **


 * CREATE **a visual display about your book, using a manila folder. Be creative and thoughtful in your presentation. You may create each section electronically or by hand. Remember that the purpose of the activity is to persuade others to read your book!

// *Instead of the manila folder, you are allowed to create an electronic version of this assignment if you prefer. Just be sure to include all of the same information, clearly labeled. Bring to class on a thumb drive. //

Author
 * ** Front Cover: ** || ** Back Cover: ** ||
 * Novel Title

__SUMMARY __ – An objective summary tells who the main character is, the setting, the conflict or problem, and how the character goes about resolving the problem. Do not give away the climax or resolution of the story. Do not include minor details from the plot or your personal opinion about the book.

Images that represent the novel, or a picture of the cover of the book (hand-drawn or electronic).

Biographical information about the author (where he/she lives, other books he or she has written, etc.) || **Your Autobiography! **

Use words and pictures to introduce yourself to your new classmates.

You might include information about:  Family Interests Activities Favorite things <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">School(s) you attended

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Hopes and dreams for 7th grade

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">“I’m nervous about…” <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">“I’m excited about…”

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Your name <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Literature Links Teacher <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Literature Links Class Period ||


 * **Inside Left:** || **Inside Right:** ||
 * < <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">List the important characters in this novel and describe each in two or three sentences.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Describe the setting and explain how it is important to the story.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Explain the point of view in which the story is written (first person, third person, etc.)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Identify the theme (big idea) of the novel (i.e., friendship, love, loss, family, etc.). Explain in a few sentences how you know this is the theme of the novel. || __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">REVIEW __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> – Did you like the novel? Why or why not? How hard or easy was this book to read? Were the characters interesting and well-developed? Did the plot move too slowly, too fast, or just right? How well did the story hold your interest? Did it get boring at times? To whom would you recommend this book? Why? For an example of a good book review, see <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">List five or more new or interesting vocabulary words you encountered in this novel. Define each. ||


 * __DUE DATE__** – **MONDAY, SEPT. 12, 2016**

QUESTIONS? – If you have questions about how to complete this assignment over the summer, please contact Dr. Ryan Monaghan at rmonaghan@ojrsd.com. We are looking forward to meeting you and hearing about all of your great books! ~ The Seventh Grade Literature Links Teachers
 * __RUBRIC__**
 * || 5 || 3 || 1 || 0 ||
 * Completion || All required information included. Ideas fully developed. || Most required information included. Ideas clearly presented. || Some required information included. Ideas may be unclear at times. || Missing most/ all required information. ||
 * Writing Quality || Few errors in sentence formation, capitalization, and spelling. || Some errors in sentence formation, capitalization, and spelling. || Many errors in sentence formation, capitalization, and spelling. || Severe errors interfere with reader’s understanding of the text. ||
 * Creativity/neatness || Product shows great attention to detail. It is visually appealing and neatly assembled. || Product is well-organized and neatly presented. || Product shows an attempt at organizing but may be messy or difficult to read. || Product lacks any organization. It is difficult for the reader to follow the information. ||
 * On time? ||||  || Yes || No ||

//*All IEP accommodations provided to students during the school year are available to students for the summer reading assignments.//