Summer Requirements Program

summer-learning Countless studies in education have proven the benefits of summer reading. Stephen Krashen in his study The Power of Reading discovered the following results:

People who read, write better.
Outstanding high school writers reported extensive summer reading.
If children read one million words a year, at least one thousand words will be added to their vocabulary.
Spelling improved when kids read.
In summary, readers demonstrated better reading comprehension, writing style, spelling, and grammatical development.

Likewise, the implementation of continuous practice with basic math skills over the summer leads to positive, confident math and science students in the fall who are setting themselves up for success and less stress throughout the school year.

Therefore, in an effort to form the best and most successful students – students who continue to excel above the national standards, students who are fully prepared for their rigorous academic years ahead in high school, and students who are overall confident and secure in their knowledge and basic skills, All Saints has adopted a Summer Requirements Program in Reading and Math.

READING LISTS

2011 Middle School Summer Reading List

AR LISTS

Accelerated Reader List By Author
Accelerated Reader List By Level
Accelerated Reader List By Title

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Math:

The math requirements are intended to focus on basic skills that need to be kept sharp throughout the time off. The result of mastering basic math skills is a student who is less stressed, confident, and successful in several classes including math, science, and computers. All math assignments are due the first week of school for a grade toward the homework portion of the math grade.

Again, please read carefully the requirements and assessments for each grade level pertaining to your children, as they vary.

Download the Summer Math Log -> Summer Math Log

Reading:

Through the collaboration of various teachers from all grade levels and our library media specialists, every effort has been made to provide a summer reading list with books that appeal to various types of readers. Students will find the selections enjoyable and appealing. Selections and requirements have been made according to grade levels. Please find and read the selections and requirements that correspond to your child’s upcoming grade level. All reading assignments are due the first week of school for a quiz grade toward reading.

Download the Summer Reading List –> 2011 Middle School Summer Reading List

For students entering Sixth or Seventh Grade:

Reading Requirements:

Choose one (1) book to read from the Summer Reading List provided.
Then, choose one (1) of the following assignments.
The assignment should be typed or written VERY neatly, using the proper heading.

For students entering Eighth Grade:

Next summer, you will be asked to read three books before entering high school. For this reason, we are asking you to read two books this summer, so you will be prepared to give more time to reading next summer.

Reading Requirements:

1. Choose two (2) books to read from the Summer Reading List provided.

2. For one of the books, choose one (1) of the assignments listed below.

3. The assignment should be typed or written VERY neatly, using the proper heading.

4. For the second book, pretend you are a book reviewer for a school newspaper.

Comment on the genre, the setting, the main character especially, a little about the

plot, and a hint of the resolution. Express your reasons why readers who enjoy this genre would like reading this book. (150 words)

Reading Assignment Choice 1: Story Set-up

The Story Set-up should include

Title of the Book
Author
Setting(s): In a few sentences, describe the “where” and the “when” of the story. Comment on how the setting contributes to the plot.
Characters and their Traits: List the main character and a few of the minor characters. Describe each with several descriptive phrases that highlight their physical and character traits.
A Plot Sequence: Bullet-style statements in full sentences that highlight the important events of the story. Keep in mind that you want to include the conflicts or problems of the character(s) and how they were resolved at the end.
Theme(s): A few sentences describing the central message of the story. (Example: The theme in Pinocchio is that love is what we are all about. Pinocchio became a real live boy when he stopped being selfish and started being more loving.)
Personal Reflection: Write a short paragraph incorporating the following:
1. Did you like the novel? Why or why not?
2. What was your favorite scene? Why?
3. Did you like the ending?
4. Did you see yourself in any of the characters? In what ways? Did you see any situation that you’ve been in mirrored in the story?
5. Would you recommend this novel to next year’s class? Why or why not?

Reading Assignment Choice 2: A Letter to the Author

This letter must be at least three paragraphs. Each paragraph must be at least 75 words.

Paragraph One: Tell the author how you feel about the settings in the novel. Comment on the descriptive passages, the time of the novel, and the place where the events take place. Setting can create a certain mood. How did you react to the mood of the story?

Paragraph Two: Tell the author about the main character, and how you enjoyed the traits he or she exhibited. Was the character humorous, and if so, recall when, and how it contributed to the enjoyment of the story. Was the character brave or troubled, and how did this contribute to the development of the story. Compliment the author on the formation of the character through the conflicts and/or problems that this character had to resolve.

Paragraph Three: Tell the author about a particular scene from the story that impressed you greatly. It could be a dialogue between two people, or a scene when the main character is faced with difficulty, or a humorous scene that had you holding on to your sides. It might even be a suspenseful scene or a scene filled with danger. Describe it in detail and comment to the author why it was so well-written.

Close your letter with your personal reasons why you would recommend this book to others. Give your reasons in at least two or three sentences.

Reading Assignment Choice 3: A Newspaper

This assignment involves selecting a scene from the book that demonstrates a conflict between two people, or between a person and nature (like a storm), or between two groups of people. On scrap paper, list the elements of the scene: the characters, the setting, the struggle itself, and the people who were affected by this conflict.

Read a news story or two from a newspaper to get an idea about how to write up your selected scene as though it really happened and was written in a daily newspaper.

Give your story a title and write it making sure you give all the facts. You might want to open with a quote from a character. Make sure that you write in the third person, that is, that you write about the people, the events, and the setting. The article should be about 150 words. You will need a second story, perhaps shorter than the first. This one should be related to the first in some way. We call this a “spin off”story. Example: Back to Pinocchio. Let’s say that you chose to write about the scene when Pinocchio goes down to the sea to find and rescue his father from the belly of the whale. Your “spin off” story could be about this particular whale and how the fishermen have had problems with him as they set out to fish. Don’t forget to give this story a title as well. You may draw or obtain graphics for your stories.

Again, check a daily newspaper to observe how photos are used to balance a page as well as to draw the attention of the reader. You may type your one page newspaper on Publisher or on any program that will allow you to create columns. Name your newspaper and be sure to include a date.

This can be a fun project. If you enjoy the writing, the photos, or the layout part, you might want to think about joining the newspaper staff for the school newspaper next year!

GRADE K-2

Reading/Math:

Summer Book
(order SUMMER BOOK for next year’s grade level. For example: students in K will order SUMMER BOOK for rising 1^stgrader.)

Ordering Information:

Summerbook Company
305 Lyndale Drive
Hartsville,SC 27804
757-678-4001
1-877-684-8502 (Toll Free)
www.summerbookcompany.com

GRADE 3-5

Math:

Choose a variety of activities from the math websites listed on the log. Record the date and time that you accessed each website. Also, make sure to briefly identify what topic(s) you covered on a particular website each day that you worked on that website. The total time column must add up to at least six hours with a minimum of six entries by the end of the summer.

Download the Summer Math Log -> Summer Math Log

Reading:

After reading two Accelerated Reader books, students are asked to create a book jacket for each story. Each student will have an opportunity to present one of their books orally to the class next year. These summer assignments will be due Friday of the first week of school and will be considered part of the first quarter participation grade.