MARINA DEL REY MIDDLE SCHOOL
MARINESCIENCEACADEMY
REQUIRED SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS*
(*Assignments are due the first week of school and will be turned into the 8th grade English, math,history, and marine science teachers.)
MATH: Regular Math Class: Complete pages 1- 162 in Math Practice Workbook. Do ODD NUMBERED PROBLEMS ONLY (1,3,5,7…) Honor’s Math Class: Complete pages 1-181 odd problems only. Note: Some pages were completed during the school year.
History:Read The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. Complete the Test, parts I and II. Follow directions completely.
MARINE SCIENCE: Read a newspaper, magazine,or internetand find two articles that pertain to marine science. Write a one-page summary of each article and bring the summaries and original articles to class.
ENGLISH:
Readat least one book from the Summer 2015 Reading List at your local library. Ask for the list for 7th graders or higher.
Writea book review. See directions and template below.
Book Review
Directions: Write a short review of a novel. Follow the template below, and be sure to adhere to the correct number of sentences in each paragraph. Your review should be typed or handwritten neatly. Be sure to check your spelling and grammar.
Your Name
City, State
Title of Book
[Title of the Book] is a novel by [Author’s Name]. The novel is about... [Three sentences, please].
At the beginning of the novel, the main character, [Character’s Name], [wants, tries, does, finds, etc…]... [Three sentences, please].
Later in the novel, when … [Explain the big problem that the main character has to solve]. [Three sentences, please].
At the end of the novel, [Main Character’s Name] must … [Do not give away the ending!] [Three sentences, please].
[Title of the Book] is a [great, rewarding, entertaining, disappointing, troubling, frightening, etc.] novel. I think … [Three sentences, please].
Name ______
Date ______
Test: The Witch of Blackbird Pond
PartI. Short Answers
Directions: Answer briefly each of the following questions.
- At the beginning of the story, Kit rescues a toy for a child on board the ship. Why was this disturbing to the other passengers?
- When Kit arrived at the home of her aunt and uncle, how was she greeted?
- What was Kit’s uncle’s attitude toward her luggage?
- Describe the Wood family with who Kit made her home.
- Why does the reader not learn more about the character Judith? Do you consider her a main character?
- How important is the character, Goodwife Cruff, to the story?
- From your reading and research, can you give an opinion as to why witch hunts occurred in the New England region of Early America?
- Suppose that Hannah Tupper had been captured and accused as a witch; do you believe it would have been difficult for her to vindicate herself during a trial? Why or why not?
- Give a brief description of the Reverend Bulkeley and his attitude toward anyone who was not a Puritan.
- Describe Kit’s relationships with Hannah Tupper and with Prudence.
- Why is Prudence a pivotal character in the novel?
- Suppose Nat and Prudence had not appeared to speak at the trial on Kit’s behalf. Would that have changed the outcome?
- Why was Nat placed in the stocks?
- What was Kit’s attitude toward the King of England and British rule?
- Did everyone in the small community approve of English rule for the Connecticut Colony? Why or why not?
Part II. Essays
Directions: Select one of the essay topics below. Write a response of at least 300-500 words (two or three sheets of notebook paper, double-spaced, one-side only). You may wish to organize your thoughts by making an outline before you write your essay.
Topic 1.Explain how superstitions and tricks which seem to entertain or delight can also be harmful. How was Hannah hurt by those who thought of her as a witch? What harm did Kit suffer because of her friendship with Hannah? Are superstitions, practical jokes, or magic tricks harmful today?
Topic 2.Is a novel a good source for learning about historical periods or events? Why? Why not?
Topic 3.Which character is likely to be best remembered by you? To support your choice, use incidents in the novels in your explanation.
Topic 4.Recall several superstitions that are commonly known today, often treated humorously, or sometimes still believed. Do they arise out of any basis of fact or truth? Events? Incidents? Experiences? Beliefs? How do they start? Include reference to the novel. What facts caused the community to single out an individual as evil, dangerous, a witch?