Dear Incoming Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Graders,
Your summer reading assignment is based on three different components: Achieve3000, a required reading, and a choice book.
Each student is required to log onto Achieve3000 and select various articles to read throughout the summer. The number of required articles is the same as the grade number that you are entering. Incoming sixth graders will complete six articles, incoming seventh graders will complete seven articles, and incoming eighth graders will complete eight articles. Please note no weekend articles may be selected. In addition to reading the articles, you are required to complete the before reading poll, after reading poll, and activity as well. The activities’ scores will be compiled to give you a reading comprehension grade for the first trimester. The activity page of each article must be printed showing which questions you got correct/incorrect. Submission of these pages will be the only way you can gain credit. Please print pages when you complete each activity. (See attached for directions) Achieve articles and activities must be completed by Friday, September 05, 2025.
In addition to the articles, you are required to read two novels. It is encouraged that when you read both novels that you keep a journal for each chapter noting characters (their qualities, conflicts, and changes throughout the novel), setting, plot, theme, etc. This journal will help you on both your test and your project. Each grade has both a required novel and then a novel that you may select from a list. For each of the required novels you will take a comprehension test sometime during the first week of school. It is encouraged to read your required book closer to the start of school, so the information is fresh in your mind. The required novels for each grade are as follows:
Sixth grade- Almost Home by Joan Bauer
Seventh grade- The Red Bandana by Tom Rinaldi
Eighth grade- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
The second book may be chosen from the list below. For your choice of second book you are to complete the requirements for the attached project. The completed typed project is due in school on September 5, 2025.
Sixth grade list for second book choice:
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Regan Barnhill
A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka
Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter by Beth Fantaskey
Seventh grade list for second book choice:
Genevieve’s War by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy (Book 2) by Rick Riordan
Saving Lucas Biggs by Marisa de los Santos
The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
Eighth grade list for second book choice:
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ali Cross by James Patterson
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
If you have any questions regarding your summer reading assignments, please do not hesitate to contact us at our school emails or via the school office.
We hope that you have a relaxing and enjoyable summer. We are looking forward to teaching you in the fall!
Sincerely,
The Middle School ELA Teachers
2025 Choice Book Assignment
In addition to the required reading book, all incoming sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students must pick one choice book to read from the supplied list, and they will be required to complete the following assignment. The assignment is due Friday September 05, 2025.
Students are to answer two of the following questions - one from each group of questions. Students may select which questions to answer. Certain questions may be more or less appropriate depending on the book read. Each question must have a 200 word response. Responses will be assessed on sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and thoughtfulness of the response with the inclusive of supporting text information.
Group A - Plot and Story Details (Choose one to answer)
Comment on the choices made by the main character of the book. What advice would you have given him/her? Use specific examples from the story in your response.
Write about the story’s deeper theme or message. Provide specific examples from the text to explain your answer. Remember a theme is not a one word description.
What is the main problem/obstacle that the main character must overcome? Was the problem resolved? Did you find it to be a satisfactory or realistic conclusion? Use specific information in support of your response.
Describe some personal connection that you made while reading the book. Were there experiences that related to any of your personal experiences, past readings, or current events? Be sure to reference specific moments in the text.
Choose five adjectives to describe your book and use direct references to the text to defend and explain your choices.
Group B - Craft and Structure (Choose one to answer)
How would the story be different if it had been told from a different narrator? Explain using different examples from the story.
Discuss your book’s title. Why do you think the author chose this? Create an alternative title and explain what makes this a possibility by providing examples from the story.
Find a key quote from the text that connects with the novel’s overall importance. Be sure to explain what the quote means and when/how/by whom it is said.
Analyze the author’s writing style. Describe the style of the author and point out examples from the text to use as evidence. How does the style of writing contribute to the storytelling?
Identify a key moment in the book where a major character’s motivation is on display. Explain why this moment shows the character’s personality by drawing comparisons between this moment and other moments in the book.
Parent’s Signature acknowledging summer reading requirements
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ACHIEVE3000 DIRECTIONS
You may select any articles to read and complete the following components: before reading poll, article, activity, and after reading poll. Just a reminder you are completing the number of articles that corresponds to the grade that you are entering. (For example incoming sixth graders will complete six)
You may not select any weekend articles, as they do not have corresponding activities. Additionally, you are not required to complete any stretch activities.
You must print out the completed “activity” page when you are finished. These printouts will serve as proof of completion and the points will be tallied to give you a reading comprehension grade.
Follow these steps to print the “activity” after you have completed the article’s requirements.
Click on the three lines on the left hand side of the page and select “My Lessons”.
Select the title of the completed Article/Activity.
Click on the “activity” tab.
Click the printer icon.
Select print this step only.
Print and keep all seven completed activities for the first week of school.
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