Summer Reading Assignment

Reading List:

Part I: Reading Journal

You must complete 15 journal entries for the assigned readings. Each entry must be at least ½ page hand-written on standard 8½ by 11 notebook paper. Your journal can deal with any of the topics listed below, although you may not write about any one prompt more than three times. For each journal entry, be sure to include the topic you are addressing from the book. Please date all entries.

Reading Journal Topics

  1. Pick a character that interests you and give information about the character and how the character reminds you of someone you know.
  2. Make a comparison between characters (from the same book or different books).
  3. Sketch the thoughts of two characters at this point in your reading. Be sure to reflect their thinking about events and not just the events themselves. Label your drawings so they're clear to others.
  4. Predict what you think will happen next and tell why.
  5. Copy a line or phrase from the book that the author used to give a good picture in your mind, and write about what you see.
  6. Write about a problem you just read about and the solution (or how you THINK it’ll be solved).
  7. Describe the setting (where and when the story is taking place) at this point in the book. Why is this setting important at this point in the book?

Part II: Summary

In a 2-3 page standard essay write a summary or brief overview of the plot and overall theme, message or lesson conveyed by the author of the book. You may choose any form to relate the summary of the book (chronologically, chapter by chapter, main events, or break the book into sections, follow a plot map structure, the decision is all yours). Use your own words. Do not copy from the book, internet, or from anywhere that is not made up of your ideas.

Part III. Vocabulary

Choose 15 words from the book that you either did not know the meaning of or were key words that really made you think about their usage. Define the word and use in a sentence.

Rubric

Assignments II and III should be typed in 12 point font, Times New Roman, and double spaced. Please bind the information in a standard report cover indicating your name and grade.

Books

Listings of required readings are available online at www.serrahighschoolbooks.com and available for purchase.

Due Date

The summer reading assignment will be due the week of August 24, 2009. Materials will be collected and graded by the student’s English instructor.