Summer Packet (6th Grade)
Dear Sixth Grader:
First off, welcome to Middle School! We are so excited to have you, and hope you are excited as well.
This packet of summer assignments was designed to help prepare you for the sixth grade. In this packet you will find resources to aid you with spelling, writing, reading, and technology. I have designed this packet based on what we will be covering in the curriculum during sixth grade. You are eligible to earn up to 20 bonus points for completing tasks 1 through 7. These bonus points will be distributed in time of need throughout the year. Also, these assignments will help to fully prepare you for the sixth grade curriculum. I would recommend, at the very least, that you complete a few writing assignments, and get acquainted with the writing vocabulary that I am providing for you. If you have any questions about this packet, or the assignments within it, please do not hesitate to email me at . Good luck, and have a wonderful, fun filled summer!
I cannot wait to meet you all,
Amanda Clark (Middle School Language Arts)
1) Learn how to form a powerful argument in your writing, formally known as a thesis. A thesis, as you will learn, is usually a one sentence argument that includes the main arguments of your essay. It also is essential for the foundation of your paper, and should be found in the last sentence of your first paragraph. Once you understand how to construct a thesis, the rest of the paper should fall into place.
Assignment: Practice forming thesis statements. Try to compose a minimum list of 5 thesis statements based on books, fairy tales, or any other persuasive topic.
To form a thesis, use the following formula as a guide: Topic + argument 1, + argument 2, + and argument 3.
For example, a thesis statement for the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone may be the following: In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling argues that children should celebrate their differences, experience their true potential, and maintain positive friendships.
If you want to form a thesis based on a topic such as video games, first form a question, such as: Why are video games good for you? Then complete the thesis statement with the above formula.
For example: Video games are good for you because they help improve hand-eye- coordination, mental reflexes, and brain activity.
Of course you should be able to justify your arguments J
For more information on thesis statements watch the following YouTube Video or visit the following sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzuAMVmIZ8 Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx2-PcBzZjo Video
http://www.tommarch.com/electraguide/thesis.php Generator
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/ Examples
2) Practice writing a “perfect paragraph.” Although it may sound cheesy, no pun intended, I would highly suggest using the cheeseburger paragraph graphic organizer. This organizer clearly outlines a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding statement. Assignment: Complete cheeseburger paragraphs based on the following prompts:
A) Write a paragraph response about your favorite song(s).
B) Write a paragraph that sets up an argument and could serve as an introduction to a persuasive essay. Try using one of your thesis statements as the concluding statement in your cheeseburger.
C) Write a paragraph about your favorite foods, musical types, books, etc. (Pick one/paragraph)
D) Write a paragraph about something you are good at. This could be sports, academics, circus tricks, etc. Just be sure to provide supporting details.
E) Write a paragraph about your goals for sixth grade.
3) Use Google to familiarize yourself with the structure of a 5 paragraph essay. Google examples of introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. Read examples of 5 paragraph essays. Also use Google to learn about plagiarism.
Assignment: Create a concept map of a 5 paragraph essay. Start with the center circle labeled “5 paragraph essay” and extend your circles from there. Think of the parts of an essay, strategies for these parts, and more. This is a brainstorming map, so record any ideas you may have.
Assignment: Create a poster that informs students about plagiarism. What is it? What are different types of plagiarism? How can you avoid plagiarism? Etc. Use writing, quotes, pictures, and more to make your poster persuasive.
4) Spelling www.spellingcity.com Ielling ingcity.com
Amanda Clark (Middle School Language Arts Teacher)hool.org. ting vocabulary I have pro highly recommend visiting this wonderful site because we use this site for spelling and vocab. Click on your corresponding grade (http://www.spellingcity.com/sample-spelling-lists.html#SixGradeSpellingLists)
within the site and receive wordlists, games, and other activities based on an array of spelling words. Assignment: If it is possible, I would suggest checking a word list each week, and taking the practice test available for you online.
5) Keep a journal. If you want to get better at writing you have to practice. It is just like a sport. For example, if you want to improve your soccer skills, you have to go outside and work on them. A journal is an easy way to practice writing. Even spending 5-10 minutes a day can work wonders. Plus, you can put that bright pink leather journal or that Angry Birds journal to good use.
6) Familiarize and practice filling out graphic organizers. On http://freeology.com/ there are graphic organizers on everything. Assignment: Pick a subject you are passionate about, and then research that subject. Use the information collected to put into a graphic organizer of your choosing. You may want to do a couple of these.
7) Assignment: Read one or all of the following books: Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Patterson, Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls, The Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt. After you read the book, complete one, or all of the following assignments based on the following checklist.
Create a scrapbook, PowerPoint, Prezi, poster, or board game that shows the following criteria:
____The name of the book and the author
____At least a one paragraph summary of the book
_____The main characters in the book with descriptions
______At least 10 pictures that are relevant to the book (hand drawn or from the internet given credit is provided to the site)
_____3 major themes from the book (examples: education, love, family relationships, etc.)
_____10 vocab words from the book that you had to look up to know the definition.
_____At least 5 questions and answers about the book that are open ended (not yes/no)
8) I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the following resources. These resources are commonly used in my class, and if you check them out now, you will be saving yourself some trouble in the future.
http://clarkscornerstone.pbworks.com/w/page/67131947/FrontPage
–This is the most common site that I use. This site is a wiki that I update every week throughout the school year. It includes a hesitant weekly schedule, important web links, PDF’s, rubrics, unit outlines and more. I strongly suggest that you acquaint yourself with this site because we will be visiting it frequently.
http://www.shmoop.com/literature/
This site offers summaries and resources on many of the books we read. It also offers video clips on these books. More importantly, shmoop offers an extraordinary essay lab that breaks up an essay into a step by step process.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
This site offers resources on virtually any writing topic. I use it a lot to familiarize students with MLA citations, but it also offers writing examples, grammar resources, and more.
Engradepro.com This site houses your grades, so you can check up on them anytime, need I say more?
www.thecornerstoneschool.org/
This site includes our blog. The blog is incredibly important to follow because important announcements and even homework assignments are posted to the blog! I wish I had this when I was in school!
9) Lastly, I thought I would compose a technology checklist. This list shows you what you should be able to do with those handy computers, and what will be expected of you in Middle School. If you are unfamiliar with any of these technology tasks, I suggest Youtubing an instructional video, and learning how to complete the task.
___Be familiar with your Anti-Virus software. Maybe you have AVG, maybe you have McAvee, maybe you have Norton. Just make sure you have one of them, and you know how to scan your computer with it. This will save you future crashing computer headaches.
____Have and know how to use a flash drive. You should know how to save a document from you laptop onto a flash drive, and then know how to open that flash drive on another computer. This is especially important for printing from a different computer.
_____Have access to a printer, and know how to print. We write papers, and these papers need to be printed by you, not me.
______Know how to copy and paste images and text.
______Know how to align text, bold text, italicize text, change fonts, and change text size.
______Know how to adjust your line spacing to 2. This will double space your typed work.
_____Know how to type in a URL. If you do not know what this means, look it up.
_____Know how to attach a document to an email and send it to a recipient.
Summer Packet (7th Grade)
Dear Seventh Grader:
I hope you have a wonderful summer, and make sure to have fun, get some rest, and get some writing and reading in!
This packet of summer assignments was designed to help prepare you for the seventh grade. In this packet you will find resources to aid you with spelling, writing, and reading. I have designed this packet based on what we will be covering in the curriculum during seventh grade . You are eligible to earn up to 20 bonus points for completing tasks 1 through 11. These bonus points will be distributed in time of need throughout the year. Also, these assignments will help to fully prepare you for the seventh grade curriculum. I would recommend, at the very least, that you complete a few writing assignments, and visit spellingcity.com more than once. If you have any questions about this packet, or the assignments within it, please do not hesitate to email me at . Good luck, and have a wonderful, fun filled summer!
I look forward to seeing you all as seventh graders,
Amanda Clark (Middle School Language Arts)
1) Continue to practice forming thesis statements. These little buggers do not go away. Use your summer to practice creating great thesis statements.
Assignment: Practice forming thesis statements. Try to compose a minimum list of 10 thesis statements based on books, fairy tales, or any other persuasive topic.
To form a thesis, use the following formula as a guide: Topic + argument 1, + argument 2, + and argument 3.
For your review: A thesis statement for the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone may be the following: In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling argues that children should celebrate their differences, experience their true potential, and maintain positive friendships.
If you want to form a thesis based on a topic such as video games, first form a question, such as: Why are video games good for you? Then complete the thesis statement with the above formula.
For example: Video games are good for you because they help improve hand eye coordination, mental reflexes, and brain activity.
Of course you should be able to justify your arguments J
For more information on thesis statements watch the following YouTube Video or visit the following sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzuAMVmIZ8 Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx2-PcBzZjo Video
http://www.tommarch.com/electraguide/thesis.php Generator
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/ Examples
7) Practice writing a “perfect paragraph” then try writing a 4 paragraph essay. Although it may sound cheesy, no pun intended, I would highly suggest using the cheeseburger paragraph graphic organizer. This organizer clearly outlines a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding statement. Assignment: Complete 4 cheeseburger paragraphs. This will become a 4 paragraph essay. Remember there will be 2 arguments for this type of essay in your thesis statement, based on the following prompts:
A) Write 4 cheeseburger paragraphs (intro, 2 body paragraphs, 1 conclusion paragraph) on your favorite vacation experience. Note that although this is a reflection essay, you still need to have 2 arguments or experiences at the end of your first paragraph, in which the rest of the essay will focus on.
B) Write 4 cheeseburger paragraphs (intro, 2 body paragraphs, 1 conclusion paragraph that reviews a videogame, movie, or book.
C) Write 4 cheeseburger paragraphs (intro, 2 body paragraphs, 1 conclusion paragraph on a recommendation you have to improve the school or curriculum.
8) Spelling www.spellingcity.com Ielling ingcity.com
Amanda Clark (Middle School Language Arts Teacher)hool.org. ting vocabulary I have pro highly recommend visiting this wonderful site because we use this site for spelling and vocab. Click on your corresponding grade within the site (http://www.spellingcity.com/sample-spelling-lists.html#SeventhGradeSpellingLists) and receive wordlists, games, and other activities based on an array of spelling words. Assignment: If it is possible, I would suggest checking a word list each week, and taking the practice test available for you online. Also, click on analogies for practice. Analogies are located on the left sidebar of the homepage. You all should be familiar with this site.
9) Keep a journal. If you want to get better at writing you have to practice. It is just like a sport. For example, if you want to improve your soccer skills, you have to go outside and work on them. A journal is an easy way to practice writing. Even spending 5-10 minutes a day can work wonders. Plus, you can put that bright pink leather journal or that Angry Birds journal to good use.
10) Practice filling out graphic organizers. On freeology.com there are graphic organizers on everything. Assignment: Pick a subject you are passionate about and then research that subject. Use the information collected to put into a graphic organizer of your choosing. You may want to do a couple of these. You also could think of an essential question of your own and complete a graphic note on this question, just like we have done previously in class)
11) Assignment: Read one or all of the following books: Uglies by Scott Westerfield, Matched by Ally Condie, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. After you read the book complete one or all of the following assignments based on following checklist.