Brentwood High School’s Summer Reading Project is taking a new direction. This summer, at each grade level, students will be reading one required novel. Each novel and its corresponding activities have been carefully selected and designed to encourage your independent reading and critical thinking skills in order to develop a deeper understanding of the text. In September, after having completed the assignment you will be able to fully participate in the classroom lessons, activities and assessments your teacher has planned for the novel. We are certain that you will enjoy the selection and its timeless themes. We wish you all an enjoyable summer and good reading!
BRENTWOOD FRESHMAN CENTER
REQUIRED SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT PART 1
Entering 9th Grade – Code Talkers by Joseph Bruchac
ASSIGNMENT: Code Talkers Reader Response Journal
You will be responsible for completing BOTH of the following assignments as you read the novel. Please bring thesecompleted assignments with you on the first day of school. You are encouraged to annotate, or take notes, while reading the novel as well. Since you are not allowed to write in the book, post-it notes can be used instead.
Reader Response Assignment #1
This novel contains many pieces of advice and words of wisdom. Below are threequotes from the novel. For each one:
1)Explain how this particular quote relates to the characters and/or events in the book.
2)Relate the quote to life. Can you apply this advice to yourself? How can you relate to this? How is this an important piece of wisdom for people your age? Make a connection to your life or the world.
Quote #1: “Strong words outlast the paper they are written upon.”
Quote #2: "Our whole world had changed. What was going to happen now?"
Quote #3: “It is important to understand that there are many different ways of seeing the world and expressing the wisdom of Native belief...No one voice speaks for all voices...”
***Each response should be around 3-5 sentences***
BRENTWOOD FRESHMAN CENTER
REQUIRED SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT PART 2
Entering 9th Grade – Code Talkers by Joseph Bruchac
ASSIGNMENT: Code TalkersEssay
Essay Task: As a noun, the definition of changeis the act of becoming different. As a verb,change means to replace one thing for another or to become different.Given the tragic and hurtful past between the United States Government and the various nations of Native Americans, how does the relationship change as a result of the war? Make an argument for their changing relationship. Be sure to support your claim with evidence from the text.
As you READ:Focus your attention on the plot by tracing the change(s) you identify. As you read, keep in mind that “change” isn’t necessarily good or bad. Use post-it notes to record the things you notice and wonder about in each section: Chapters 1-9, Chapters 10-16, Chapters, 17-22 (and author’s note).
In your response, be sure to:
State your claim/thesis (the conclusion or inference you have come to about the changing relationship between the United States of America and the various nations of Native Americans as depicted in the text.)
Support your claim by including “specific” evidence you can point to in the text. Provide reasons, examples, and direct quotes to support your opinion.
Exhibit clear organization (explain the claim in a logical way)
Include precise and vivid vocabulary
Check your writing for correct spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation
*A well written evidence-based claim gives context: Where your claim is coming from/ why it is important.