MS English Summer Studies

  • 6th Grade summer grammar packet
  • 6th Grade summer reading cover letter
  • 6th Grade summer reading list
  • 7th Grade required summer reading packet
  • 7th Grade grammar packet
  • 8th Grade grammar packet

    • Required Summer Studies – Middle School English

    Congratulations on your successful completion of another academic year!  As you prepare for a new grade, please know that your English teachers are looking forward to being with you in the fall.  We will work together to improve reading, writing and grammar proficiencies.  These skills are important for all courses, not just English.  With that said, we want to make sure that you don’t forget all that you accomplished this past year.  The best way to ensure that you retain information is to use it.  We have prepared an interesting set of reading and writing assignments for you to complete over the summer.  This will enable us to “hit the ground running” when you return in September.  Follow the directions below that pertain to the grade you will enter in the fall.  

    Your teachers hope you will find enjoyment in these projects.  Keep in mind that these assignments will be your teacher’s first impression of your work and effort.  Please be sure to put time and care into them.

    Sixth Grade Requirements

    Summer Reading Project

    Please review the recommended list of summer reading books; you may also choose books that are not on the list, provided they are approved by a librarian or a teacher.

    You are asked to read three (3) books between June and September.  These books must be of your own choice from the attached list or from recommendations by a teacher, librarian or other adult.  The other book is required reading for all incoming 6th graders:
    The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe by Loree Griffin Burns ISBN: 13:978-0-547-15231-8

    Keep a record of your reading on any size index card for each book.  List the author’s name (last name first), and the title of book (underlined); then write a brief description of the book and your reaction to it.  The writing should be in your own words!  If you prefer, you may complete the assignment on the computer and print out your information on either cards or regular paper.  These book reviews will be used as a basis for discussion during the first week of school; bring them to school on the first day.

    In addition to your note cards, you will also prepare a creative project that you will share with your classmates.  The project will be based on one of your summer reading books.  The project should be original - a poster, a book jacket, a mobile, a diorama or anything else which taps and challenges your imagination and creativity!

    Summer Grammar Packet

    Please also complete the Summer Grammar Packet, which is a review of the basic grammatical concepts that we will build on during the sixth grade year.  Each section of the packet includes an example—consider these carefully, and complete the exercises to the best of your ability.

    Summer Writing Prompt

    You are also to respond to ONE of the following three writing prompts.  Your response should be at least one full page, double-spaced, handwritten or typed; it may be in the form of a story if you wish.

    1. Describe an ordinary, everyday activity (for example, tying your shoes or brushing your teeth) from the point of view of an alien observing life on Earth, an alien who is unfamiliar with our actions or culture.

    2. Describe a place that you know using only one of your five senses.

    3. Describe a person’s physical reaction to a gift, showing rather than telling how the person feels about receiving it.

    Keep in mind that these assignments will be your English teacher’s first impression of your writing and creativity. You should make sure that you put time and care into your work, especially when it comes to correctness; your assignments will be collected on the first day. We will be eager to see what you have read and created!

    Seventh Grade Requirements

    Summer Reading Book for the entire Middle School:

    The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe by Loree Griffin Burns
    ISBN: 13:978-0-547-15231-8

    Other Required Reading Book:

    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

    Grammar Packet:

    Please complete these exercises carefully.   Bring them to the first day of class for checking.

    Notecard Projects:

    Keep a record of 25 vocabulary words you do not know from the books you are reading.  Write one word on each card along with its definition and the sentence from the book.  Cite the page number.  (You will be quizzed on these during your first full week of classes.)

    Original Creative Project on the book of your choice (Choose ONLY ONE of the projects listed to complete.)

    • Create a mobile detailing the plot and characters OR

    • Create a shoe box of the setting OR with illustrations and a short review OR

    • Create a hand-drawn comic stip of the novel

    Eighth Grade Requirements

    Grade 8

    Dear Incoming Eighth Graders,

    Congratulations on your completion of 7th Grade! I look forward to being your English teacher in the fall.

    For the 2011-2012 year, the Middle School English Department requires the incoming 8th Grade to complete some work over the summer.  You have to read three books that we have chosen for you to ensure that you read and enjoy quality texts.  These stories are interesting and provide themes, characters and conflicts, which will be fun to discuss when you return to school in September.  Additionally, you are required to complete a grammar packet, which covers the grammar that you worked on with Mrs. Krich.  We don’t want you to forget important grammar rules over the summer.

    Your three required English books are:

    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith  (ISBN: 978-0061120077)

    True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff  (ISBN: 0-689-85288-6)

    The Hive Detectives by Loree Griffin Burns (ISBN: 13:978-0-547-15231-8)

    The entire Middle School, faculty included, will be reading The Hive Detectives

    Please read these books carefully, as they will be the basis for your initial assignments and evaluation.  Taking notes on details and highlighting important information are suggested.  Remember, we will be discussing these texts in depth in September.  If you decide to read the books in June, you may need to review them again in August.  “I forget what happened” will not be accepted.

    In the course of your reading, you are asked to complete charts on characterization, theme and conflict.  You get to decide which book you want to use for each chart; however, you cannot use the same book for more than one chart.  Each chart needs to be completed.

    This assignment can be handwritten neatly or typed using a 12-point font.  I will email you the charts so you can type them, if you want.

    Grammar Worksheets: Follow the directions provided on the worksheets.  Use a pencil to complete them.  We will go over the worksheets when you return to school.  If you lose your packet, you can find the worksheets online at the RPCS website under summer work as of mid-June.

    Keep in mind that these assignments will be my first impression of your work and effort.  Please be sure to put time and care into them.  I am excited to discuss these texts with you!  

    Happy Reading!

    Ms. Baker
    Eighth Grade English Teacher
    (bakerk@rpcs.org) / Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions.