READ TO SUCCEED
ROSA PARKS MIDDLE SCHOOL
2011 Summer Reading Program
For Students Entering Grade 6
(301) 924-3180
Rationale
In Montgomery County Public Schools, summer reading has been an expected practice in middle and high schools and an encouraged practice in elementary schools since 1998.
The ability to read is crucial to an individual’s success in school and on the job. Reading is a life-long skill that a person not only needs in order to succeed as a student and a worker, but it is also an essential skill in civic and personal activities. Perhaps even more importantly, however, reading opens the world to a person through periodicals, references, essays, and literature. By reading, individuals have an opportunity to learn about people, times, regions, and ideas that they may never actually encounter in life. Reading can also bring a lifetime of pleasure and mental acuity.
In their 2003 article, “Bridging the Summer Reading Gap,” education professors Anne McGill-Franzen and Richard Allington reported that students who don’t read during summer vacation – especially those who are reluctant and/or at-risk - experience a reading loss of from one to several months as measured by standardized reading tests. This loss accumulates over time to a potentially substantial gap for some students.
At Rosa Parks Middle School we want students to develop a life-long leisure reading habit as well as be prepared to face reading challenges in the future.
Summer Reading Assignment Expectations
Over the summer, students must read two books of approximately 150 pages each and complete the attached graphic organizers. As a convenience to families, a suggested list of novels and authors is attached, however, with parent approval, students are free to select a book that does not appear on the list. Students are expected to select books that are appropriate for their reading level.
A parent signature indicates that a parent approved the student's novel choices and that the student read the books for the first time.
Assessment
This assignment must be submitted to the student’s English teacher by the third day of school. Students will receive a homework completion grade in that class. After receiving instruction from their reading teachers, students will use the graphic organizers to complete a project within the first two weeks of school. This assignment will be considered a summative assessment for reading.
**Extra copies of this Summer Reading assignment are available in the main office at Rosa Parks Middle School and on the Rosa Parks website.
** Suggested book titles are available at the Montgomery County Public Libraries. **
Teacher Recommendations
Agony of Alice Naylor The Million Dollar Shot Gutman
Al Capone Does My Shirts* Choldenko Never Mind!: A Twin Novel Avi and Vail
The Boxes Sleator No Talking Clements
Brain Boy and the Death Master* Seidler Notes from a Liar and Her Dog* Choldenko
Code Talker Bruchac Old Willis Place Hahn
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie Sonnenblick Red Kayak* Cooney
Fever 1793* Anderson Rules* Lord
Flipped Van Draanen Shakespeare’s Secret Broach
Gossamer Lowry Skateboard Christopher
Heir Apparent* Vande Velde Stargirl Spinelli
Hoot* or Flush* Hiaasen Surviving the Applewhites Tolan
How to Steal a Dog O’Connor The Thing About Georgia Graff
Last Shot* J. Feinstein Trading Places with Tank Talbott Butler
Love, Ruby Lavender Wiles The Watsons Go to Birmingham Curtis
The Mailbox Shafer Witch Catcher Hahn
*Indicates a more challenging book
MCPS Website – A Link to Other Recommended Reading Lists
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/readinglists/
Recommended Authors
Because not all books by these authors are approved texts in MCPS, parents must give consent prior to reading.
Gail Carson Levine Betsy Byars
Christopher Paul Curtis Madeline L’Engle
Georgia Byng Gary Paulsen
Avi Cornelia Funke*
Sharon Creech Jeanne DuPrau*
Eoin Colfer * Anthony Horowitz*
Mary Downing Hahn
*Indicates a more challenging author
Do not read the following books as they may be used for instruction by your English teacher during the school year:
Taking Sides The View From Saturday Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
The White Mountains Where the Red Fern Grows The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Ruby Holler Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Maniac Magee
Holes
*Students enrolled in GT reading and English are encouraged to read more challenging authors or titles.
Summer Reading Graphic Organizer for Book #1
Student’s Name: ______English Teacher: ______
Reading Teacher: ______
Complete this organizer thoughtfully and neatly.
1. Book Title: ______Author: ______
2. Number of Pages: ______Date Completed: ______
3. Setting: Place: ______Time period of book: ______
4. Major Character: ______
5. Write two to three sentences describing the problem the main character faces.
______
______
______
6. Minor character: ______
7. Write two to three sentences that describe the minor character’s relationship with the main character.
______
______
______
8. Summary – Write 7 – 10 sentences summarizing the novel. Include the problem in the story and the solution to the problem. Include the main events that lead from the problem to the solution.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Parent Signature: ______Homework Completion Grade = ___/10
Summer Reading Graphic Organizer for Book #2
Student’s Name: ______English Teacher: ______
Reading Teacher: ______
Complete this organizer thoughtfully and neatly.
1. Book Title: ______Author: ______
2. Number of Pages: ______Date Completed: ______
3. Setting: Place: ______Time period of book: ______
4. Major Character: ______
5. Write two to three sentences describing the problem the main character faces.
______
______
______
6. Minor character: ______
7. Write two to three sentences that describe the minor character’s relationship with the main character.
______
______
______
9. Summary – Write 7 – 10 sentences summarizing the novel. Include the problem in the story and the solution to the problem. Include the main events that lead from the problem to the solution.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Parent Signature: ______Homework Completion Grade = ___/10