Recognizing that our curriculum during the school year is rigorous and that expectations are high for student learning, there is great value in the children having a respite during the months of summer. On the other hand, studies have shown that students lose ground during the long vacation if not provided an opportunity to keep their skills sharp. With these two perspectives in mind, as in prior years, the teachers have crafted a balanced plan specific for our school. The following is a grade level summary of the Summer Learning Program for 2014.
(Note: Parents should select the summer learning assignments that correspond to the grade that their child will be entering in the fall. For example, a student entering second grade would complete the Summer Book Program for rising 2nd graders. A child entering third grade would complete the assignments outlined below for grades 3-5.)
Parents can search for Accelerated Book Titles through their students HomeConnect account using the AR Book finder or go to the renlearn.com website and search through the quiz store link for title listings.
Learning Packets: Designed by the Pre-K team, these packets will be distributed to parents.
Summer Book: This is a wonderful series that has been used in the primary grades in recent years. It includes diverse activities that target a variety of areas, including reading, math, science, social studies, and religion.
The Summer Book will be due on Friday of the first week of school and credit will be given to all students who complete the work.
Summer Book (order SUMMER BOOK for next year’s grade level. For example: students in K will order SUMMBER BOOK for rising 1stgraders.)
305 Lyndale Drive
Hartsville, SC 27804
1-877-684-8502 (Toll Free)
Teachers will distribute math packets that provide reinforcement of skills acquired during this past school year.
After reading two Accelerated Reader books, students are asked to complete the corresponding AR tests upon their return to school. These summer assignments will be due Friday of the first week of school and will be considered part of the first quarter participation grade.
Students are asked to read selections (one book for grade 6/two books for grades 7 & 8) from the Middle School Summer Reading List and complete one of the corresponding follow up activities. Additionally, students are expected to practice math skills for a minimum of thirty minutes per week, using a list of recommended websites and recording time on a log sheet.
We know you will agree that summer reading is a pleasant and easy way to keep students’ minds alert while their bodies recharge after a full ten months of learning within the school setting. Encouraging a pattern of book selection and reading during the school years fosters a path of lifelong enrichment and enlightenment through the power of language.
Toward that end, the Middle School Team endorses this summer reading list and these assignment options. We hope that you will support and encourage these activities with a positive spin so that students will look upon them as something interesting to do during those more quiet moments of summertime.
Rising sixth graders are expected to select and read one book from the list and to complete one report from the assignment options, to be handed in on the Friday of the first week of school. Students are encouraged to read more than one book for fun. If they do, they will receive a certificate to fill out with the title, author, and some comments. Certificates will be displayed honoring their efforts.
Rising seventh and eighth graders are expected to select and read two books and to complete two assignments from the assignment options, to be handed in on the Friday of the first week of school. They are also encouraged to read more than two books. If they do, they will receive certificates to fill out with the title, author, and some comments. Certificates will be displayed honoring their efforts. In addition, students will be able to earn one extra credit grade.
We hope that you will encourage and support the reading life of your children by gently monitoring the book selection and assignments. Sometimes, it’s that summer book that inspires a student to read a particular author into the school year and beyond.
Likewise, studies prove that staying current with math skills during vacation time is extremely beneficial toward keeping the mind sharp and ensuring a more successful start to the new school year. Mrs. Gaubert has chosen a website with leveled practice and will be sending it via Homework Central. This is certainly an excellent opportunity for math maintenance, and it can be accomplished in short sessions.
Thank you, parents for allowing us to keep the “scholar’s light” on during the slower-paced days of summer. As always, we count on your encouragement to assist us in the academic and personal formation of your children.
We wish you a summertime filled with fun and contentment.
The Middle School Team
Summer Reading Program: 2014
For Students Entering Sixth Grade:
- Choose one (1) book to read from the Summer Reading List provided. (Download list here.)
- Then, choose one (1) assignment.
- The assignment should be typed or written VERY neatly, with the following heading:
For students entering Seventh and Eighth Grade:
1. Choose two (2) books to read from the Summer Reading List provided.
2. Select two different assignments.
3. The assignment should be typed or written VERY neatly.
v Reading Assignment Choice #1: Story Set-up
The Story Set-up should include:
1. Title of the Book (3 points)
2. Author: ( 3 points)
3. Setting(s): In three or four sentences, describe the “where” and the “when” of the story. Comment on how the setting contributes to the plot. (7 points)
4. Genre: (Novel, Biography, etc.) ( 2 points)
5. Characters and their Traits: List the main character and two of the minor characters. Describe each character in three complete sentences. Use images that highlight their physical and character traits in the story. ( 15 points)
6. A Plot Sequence: In at least ten complete sentences (or more), list 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. ( 50 points)
7. Theme(s): Write two or three sentences describing the central message of the story. (Example: In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy learns the meaning of friendship and that she always had the power to return home, just as we do whenever we stray from our journey. ( 5 points)
- Personal Reflection: Write a short paragraph incorporating the following:
- Did you like the novel? Why or why not?
- What was your favorite scene? Why?
- Did you like the ending?
- Would you recommend this novel to next year’s class? Why or why not?
- What did you learn about some aspect of life from the characters and how they resolved their problems and conflicts? ( 15 points)
v Reading Assignment Choice # 2: A Letter to the Author
This letter must be at least three paragraphs. Each paragraph must be at least 125 words.
Paragraph One: 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? 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.
Paragraphs Two and Three: Tell the author about two particular scenes from the story that impressed you greatly.
For each scene, you could describe a conflict experienced by a main character, or a humorous scene that kept you smiling. It might even be a suspenseful scene or a scene filled with danger. Describe details of setting, character, and plot. Comment to the author why it was so well-written. (30 points for each paragraph)
Paragraph Four Close your letter with your personal reasons why you would recommend this book to others. (10 points) This needs to be more than a couple of sentences.
- Use a respectful closing with punctuation, and sign your name.
v Reading Assignment Choice #3: A Journal Entry
In this journal entry, you will assume the identity of the main character. You will write in your journal about the following:
Paragraph One: Write about your relationship with another character or characters in the story. Describe how the relationship(s) developed with descriptions of your mutual experiences. Be specific. (33 points)
Paragraph Two: Write about your most significant conflict or problem, and how you came to realize how serious or difficult it was. Who was involved? Where did it take place? How did you resolve it? Did someone help? Details, details. Make it interesting. (33 points)
Paragraph Three: In this entry, you will describe what followed the resolution of your problems or conflicts. In what direction did your life move? Now, if the story does not give the post resolution (which we call “denoument”) then speculate on what you believe happened next. Stay in character. Be the main character and reflect on what has happened in your life since your conflicts/problems were solved.
Use image-filled language. ( 33 points)
Extra Credit Options: These are in addition to the extra credit grade for reading more than the required number of books. (See cover letter.)
- Design costumes for two characters. These could be hand-sketched with colored pencils on a 5×7 or an 8×10 piece of cardstock, or assembled with computer-generated graphics. Fabric attached to cardstock could also be arranged to form a costume design. Label the costumes with the names of the characters and the title of the book.
- Design a small poster featuring the title, author, and a symbol from the book that would invite an observer to want to read this book. Use colored cardstock, (again, 5×7 or 8×10) and design the symbol first. Then print with thin markers or use printed computer fonts to exhibit the title of the book and the author’s name. Note that the title should be in a larger font than the author.
Middle School Math – Summer Learning
Welcome to Middle School Math! To assist students in preparing for the new year, we have put together a packet of information that covers concepts that students have already learned and will need to have fresh in their minds when they come back to school in August.
Solve the problems in the packet and record your answers on the attached answer sheet. If there are sections you feel you need to review, we suggest that you use khanacademy.org as a resource. On this free website you can make use of their extensive library of content, including interactive challenges, assessments, and videos from any computer with access to the web.
When you return to school in August, please bring the completed packet with you. It will count as a quiz grade for the first quarter of the new school year.
Here are a few suggestions to help you keep these skills sharp over the summer:
- Make several copies of the packet and practice every 2 or 3 weeks.
- Complete the packet in parts, working on a new section every 2 or 3 weeks and then review all concepts again in mid-August.
- Use khanacademy.org to practice the concepts. Then complete the packet at the beginning of August to see if there are parts you still need to master.
*** Packets were distributed to students prior to the last day of school. If your child needs a packet, they can be obtained from the school office. Please let the office staff know what math class your child just completed (Math 5, Math 6, Pre-Algebra, etc.) as packets are tailored to each individual class.
Our goal is for you to have mastered the basic skills you will need to be successful in middle school math.
We look forward to seeing you in the fall!
Mrs. Gaubert and Mrs. Woolfrey