June 2010
Dear Parents,
Six
books. That all it takes. Studies
show that when a child reads as few as six appropriately grade leveled books,
he is likely to fend off summer reading loss and maintain the reading progress
made during the year. And when a
child reads more - 8, 10, or more
books - he may even return to school a more confident reader. To ensure confident readers in grades
4-8 at Sacred Heart School, books are
assigned to be read during the summer. But there’s another reason to take
the family to the library too, not only for these books, but just for the fun
of it! Have fun!!
***Entering Grade
4***
***Entering Grade 5***
Romona Quimby, Age Eight (read both)
Cleary ( There will be a quiz when Sing Down the Moon , Scott O’Dell
School begins.) Little House in the Big Woods,
Laura Ingalls Wilder
**Entering Grade 6** **Entering Grade 7**
(read all 3) (read all 3)
Hatchet, Paulsen The Pearl,
Steinbeck (save for use in class)
Abel’s Island, Steig
Summer of My German Soldier, Green
The Year of the Boar and Timothy
of the Cay, Taylor
Jackie Robinson,
Lord
***Entering Grade 8***
(read all three OR participate in “Words and Works”..see
attached)
Tales of the Greek Heroes, Green
Freak the Mighty, Philbrick
To
Kill A Mockingbird, Lee (save for use in class)
In addition, students in grades 5-7 are required to produce a
newspaper for any ONE of the books
for your grade. Bring
the finished product on the first day of school,Monday, August 30.
Feel free to look at a REAL newspaper for some ideas or explanations.
For
grades 5-8:
1. Paper
must be 12x18 inches (large white construction paper is about the right size), or a sheet of similar
size. Set up the newspaper in 3
columns.
2. Come up
with a name for your newspaper that includes
your last name and then a headline that refers to the book you just read
(don’t use the title of the novel., be original).
3. This is
not a summary of the novel, rather, a news article based on the reporter’s WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY and HOW of ONE experience of ONE of the
characters. Your feature story
must be at least one column long. Then add a picture with a caption to illustrate the feature story.
4. Also
include in your paper:
*a
weather report for the novel,
connect with time and place
*”Dear Abby” letter and reply for ONE character’s problem
*a
social note based on a party, birth,
death or other event of note
*an
advertisement for a fashion
described or desired in the book
*an interview with ONE minor character asking about his views
on a major event in the story
5. Feel free
to use a computer template or print
by hand to get all this information on the FRONT
of the 12 x 18 inch paper, but carefully follow the directions for full credit. Do not fold the paper.
6. The other books will be used as a basis for testing or an essay.
************IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR NEWSPAPER AND/OR ASK MRS. NORDLIE.**************************
We can’t wait to read your news!!