Summer Reading
Summer School—Summer Reading
Read one book recommended to you by an adult that you respect. Talk with that person about the books that have impacted his or her life and try to discover how an author or subject matter connected with an individual that you know.
Please have a copy of the book in class no later than Wednesday, July 27. Bring the book to class every day. Please be prepared to write about your book each day!
After you have read the book, sit down with this person again and discuss your impressions. Ask questions. Discuss what stood out, what you learned and what you weren’t sure about.
Document these experiences (the first conversation, your impressions of the book, and the second conversation) in a series of words and photos or art. You will post these to either a blog that you maintain during Summer School.
Please let me know if you have questions!
The One Big Summer School Project
Our People's History
Our People's History is a creative telling of history inspired by the true stories of our families.
Before we were students, before we first thought about college, before we had our first dream of what we might become when we grow up, our parents, grandparents and extended families had some of the same hopes, dreams, inspirations, broken hearts, opportunities, accomplishments and more.
Our People's History is a thoughtful mix of fiction and history that tells individual stories of growing up, gaining an education, having a job, raising a family, and more—in a history that lives through our family stories.
Your story should be based on a true story—and it may be purely nonfiction—but it may also contain many elements of creative writing. For example, you might create conversations or creatively show the setting, which is fine, as long as it is believable and based on your family story. Some may write historical fiction, while others are journalists, and still others write narrative nonfiction. choose the right story-telling format or genre for the story you are trying to tell!
Requirements:
· Record an oral history from at least one family member & present it as a written interview.
· Write a story that captures the essence of being alive in the time and place of your family story. Be specific and detailed, but feel free to be as creative as you want. Some people may write fiction while others write purely from historical fact.
· Include one picture.
Expectations
· Your story must be derived from real characters in a specific historical setting and a specific plot.
· Incorporate relevant historical and/or cultural information.
· Present thoughtfully revised writing that uses appropriate creative and historical writing techniques.
To truly make your story excellent, consider the following:
· Record and incorporate oral histories from additional family members.
· Record and incorporate testimony from an expert or witness.
How to get started:
· Talk to your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles—ask about their first job, what school was like, how your parents met, and so on.
· Ask about events that are important in your family. Did anyone immigrate? What was the world like when your parents met? Ask what family stories they heard as kids.
· Ask your parents (or relatives) what bits of history stand out to them—do they remember an election, a protest, a war, or any other event, person, or idea as important?
· If you have a topic, time period, bit of history or idea you want to write about, ask your parents, ask around at a local religious organization, check the quotes in local news stories, or ask a local cultural historical or cultural club.
Important dates:
July 28—Five Our People's History "seed stories" due in class. For each "seed story," write at least one paragraph that includes the following: Who, What, Where, When, Why/How? Not every seed story needs a picture, but you must bring some pictures to school.
July 29—10 interview questions, plus historical & cultural context due in class. Schedule your interview!
Aug 2—Interview transcripts due in class
Aug 5—Interview posted to DP
Aug 5—Interview reflection due
Aug 8—Family Story rough drafts due
Aug 9—Family Story second drafts are due
Aug 11—Family Story Exhibition drafts and photos are due