Dear Incoming Fifth Grade Pre-AP English Students and Parents:
Welcome to Fifth Grade Pre-AP English! We look forward to meeting all of you next year! In order to enrich your learning experiences, we have prepared a curriculum that is both challenging and engaging.
How is Pre-AP different from the regular English classes? Over the course of the year, we will study novels, short stories, informational text and plays with intensive reading, writing, and thinking skills. You will be expected to work at a deeper level. In order to be able to discuss, debate, speculate, hypothesize, and make connections to other works and other disciplines during class, you will be expected to complete some reading and some prep work at home.
This summer you will read a book of your choice from a list of books. Included in this letter is your summer reading assignment directions; please read the directions very carefully and email the instructional coach if you have any questions. Please remember that we, too, are on vacation and will not be checking email on a daily basis. We will respond to any questions as soon as we are able.
This assignment is comprised of comprehension questions and an additional project of your choice. You will turn in your summer project the second week of school. It is imperative that you allow yourself enough time to thoroughly read the novel as well as put effort into your project. This will be your first major grade of the nine weeks.
If possible, students should purchase their own copies of the novel. It is an advantage to be able to take notes in the margins and underline or highlight notable passages. You may buy these books cheaply online and find copies at area bookstores such as Half-Price Books. You may also check out your chosen works from the public library. However, you would not be able to take notes in the text itself.
Students can expect an assignment or multiple assignments over their summer reading during the first week(s) of class. Therefore, students must come to the first day of class having read their selected novel. The projects are due on Monday, August 29, 2016.
We look forward to the outcome of these projects. Enjoy your summer and happy reading!
Instructional Coaches:
Bastrop Intermediate School- Lauren Tucker
Cedar Creek Intermediate School- Melissa Rathmann
5th Grade Pre-AP Summer Reading Project
This summer you will be responsible for turning in an independent project that will relate to one of the novels below. You have a choice of projects and books (all students must answer the book questions portion).
You will be graded using a rubric (see attached)
The due date for this project is: August 29, 2016
Book Questions
Reading Comprehension Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper and turn in on the due date for each book report. Please include a title page stapled to your questions. The title page is a separate piece of paper. Your title page should be the first page that is seen. The second page will have your questions and answers on it. The questions and answers need to be typed in final draft format.
1. When and where did the story take place?
2. Pick one main character from your story and describe them in detail. What three character traits did he/she portray and give evidence from the text to support your answer.
3. What problems did the character have to solve and how was it solved?
4. Explain in detail your favorite part and your least favorite part.
5. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Explain your reasoning in detail.
6. Give an example of text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self connections you made while reading.
7. If you could ask any character in this book a question, who would you ask and what would you ask them? Why would you ask this character that question?
8. Summarize what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story in detail. This should be about one paragraph for each section of the book.
9. If you were asked to change the title of the book, what would you name it and why?
10. If you could be a character in this book, which character would you want to be and why?
11. If you were to add a chapter to this book, what would happen next?
Book Project Options
Below are your choices for book projects. Some of the projects work better for certain genres.
Please make sure the project option will work with the genre you have selected! Plan carefully!
Story Sequel-Type a two page sequel to the story. (Remember to use final draft format. See the writing tab on my website for this information!) Use the information you learned about the characters as you read the book.
Newspaper-Create a newspaper with stories describing events that happened in the novel that you read. Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on TWO of your favorite characters, and a comic relating to the story. Include an editorial about the book, and FOUR advertisements that would relate to the story. Please refer to a real newspaper for an example.
Scrapbook-Please create a 10 page scrapbook highlighting major events in the book that you read. One page should highlight the plot, one page for the characters, and one page for the setting. The rest of the pages are to be designed by you! Remember, you want people to know as much information about the book as possible by making this scrapbook!
Interview-Interview a character from your book. Type at least 15 questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. This should be recorded and will be played to the class on the due date.
Diary- 15 handwritten diary entries (each page should be at least 5-7 sentences long) that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the story. Remember that the character’s thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary. Provide information on feelings, thoughts, doodles, conflicts, and dreams of the character you chose.
Mini Stage- Build a mini stage setting of a scene in the book. Include a one-page typed summary (final draft format) of what happened at this particular scene and what characters were involved. Remember, the rest of your classmates have not read the book. You will need to “set up the scene” (give them a little background information) so they will understand the scene you are describing.
Soundtrack- Create a “soundtrack” for the book. Choose 8 songs that fit the book. Explain how each song’s specific lyrics relate to specific parts of the book. Discuss the theme, tone, mood, and/or symbolism in the songs as they relate to the scenes in the book. You should have at least 1 paragraph (5 sentences) of explanation for each song. Include the title, artist, and lyrics for each song.
You’ve Got Mail- Create FIVE different postcards that highlight the main events of the story. Draw a picture on one side and explain what the scene illustrates from the story. Pick TWO characters from the book. On one postcard, write a message to another character. On the other postcard, write a reply message to the other postcard.
Party Time! - Plan a party for the characters in your book. In order to do this, complete each of the following tasks: design an invitation to the party which would appeal to all the characters, imagine that you are one of the characters and describe what each of the guests would wear and why, tell what food you would serve and why, games or entertainment you will provide and why your choices are appropriate, how three of the characters will act at the party, and describe the type of party.
Compare/Contrast- Compare and Contrast the book from the movie in a one-page typed paper (final draft format). You must have examples of similarities and differences in your paper. Make sure to use appropriate transitions in your writing. Examples of transitions are similarly, likewise, on the other hand, however, same, difference, alike, by contrast, although and both.
Board Game- Using poster board or cardboard, create a board game that relates to the main point of the novel. Include all of the following: 15 question or trivia cards, game pieces, dice, “How to Play”, characters and settings from the novel.
Word Clouds- Using words/phrases/main ideas/characters from the book you read, create a symbol that represents something in your book. A minimum of fifty (50) words must be used. Typing is not necessary. No size limit. Please include a list of words used. Full-color optional.
Book List
Unwanteds
Lisa McMann
Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: The strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths. Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted.
Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret: Behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime. In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. But it's a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L’engle
Everything is wrong in Meg Murray's life. In school, she's been dropped down to the lowest section of her grade. She's teased about her five-year-old brother, Charles Wallace, who everyone mistakenly thinks is dumb. Not to mention that Meg wears braces and glasses and has mouse-brown hair.
Much will be better in her miserable life when her father gets back. But gets back from where? Meg's physicist father had been experimenting with the fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. One dark and stormy night, the family is visited by a disheveled heap of a woman named Mrs. Whatsit. Eccentric and brilliant, she will turn out to be the force who spurs on Meg, Charles Wallace, and their new friend, Calvin O'Keefe, to embark on a dangerous quest through space to find their father. In doing so, they must travel behind the shadow of an evil power that is darkening the cosmos.
Before long, the trio discovers that Meg's and Charles Wallace's father is being held prisoner by evil forces on the planet of Camazotz, an eerie place where complete conformity is expected in exchange for personal freedom. There they engage in the fight of their lives against a giant disembodied brain named "It." And soon, Charles Wallace must be rescued, too.
Where the Red Fern Grows
Wilson Rawls
Billy Colman roams the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his bluetick hound and his precious coonhound pup trying to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs.
Leviathan
Scott Westerfield
It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.
With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.
Esperanza Rising
Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico — she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances — Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.
Bread and Roses, Too
Katherine Paterson
Rosa's mother is singing again, for the first time since Papa died in an accident in the mills. But instead of filling their cramped tenement apartment with Italian lullabies, Mamma is out on the streets singing union songs, and Rosa is terrified that her mother and older sister, Anna, are endangering their lives by marching against the corrupt mill owners. After all, didn't Miss Finch tell the class that the strikers are nothing but rabble-rousers--an uneducated, violent mob? Suppose Mamma and Anna are jailed or, worse, killed? What will happen to Rosa and little Ricci?