Students entering 6th grade must read the two mandatory books below over the summer. The third book is optional. Then students must complete any of the activities provided. The activities for your second book must be different. All activities are due on the first day of school. 

Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher (mandatory read and activities)

Bud, not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (mandatory read and activities)

Creative Reports

Directions: Your goal for this project is to reach  20  points.  You may only do one of each item (you cannot do 5 collages to meet your goal), but you may do more than one from any category (you CAN do a collage and a setting design). Your projects will be due on the first day of school.  Please ensure you know which activities you must present and prepare accordingly. Most importantly, have fun with this and be creative).  

Receive up to 25 points

❑ Music Video - Find an appropriate song that depicts an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the book. Create the music video. You can star in your video as one of the characters or you can include pictures, quotes, etc. In the video explain why you made certain decisions for the video/music and how it relates to the novel. You can either have descriptions

throughout the video at the bottom of the screen or have an interview-type review at the end

of the video. (2-4 minutes)

❑ One Page Summary -    The summary must include 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph must introduce characters, setting, and background. The next three paragraphs must explain 3 major events in chronological order. (Each event is a paragraph) The last paragraph will be your rating of the book and why. 

❑ Cereal Box –   On the front of the cereal box: create a new cover and explain the cover. On the back of the cereal box include 3 major events explained. On the sides of the cereal box include important quotes and characters with descriptions. (Please write and draw neatly)

Receive up to 20 points

❑ Dear Diary -  Type in MLA style each diary journal entry. Imagine you have entered the mind of one of the main characters. Write 3 diary entries from that character’s point of view. Keep i mind the character’s traits and voice when writing these entries

❑ Continue the Story/Alternative Ending - Pretty self-explanatory…create answers to your own questions that you may have about the future of the characters in the book. (one page typed in MLA Style)

❑ Timeline – Create an illustrated timeline of at least 10 important events from the story. Write a description of each event and draw and color illustrations for each (events need to be in the order in which they occur). (+5 for  presenting) (Your project must be neat and organized. Use rulers to help with neatness.

❑ Book in a bag – Choose 10 items that represent people, places, and events in the book. Place them in a bag.  Write a description of each item on index cards and how it relates to the book. Must be prepared to give an oral presentation.

Receive up to 15 points

❑ EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! – Create the front page of a newspaper/tabloid announcing an important event that took place in the story. Have pictures describing the events. Create a title for your newspaper/tabloid. 

❑ Talk Show Interview – Think Oprah, Dr. Phil, Live with Kelly and Mark. They interview people/families who may have had some type of tragedy in their lives.  Create an interview with characters that have conflict in the story. The “host” of your created talk show must ask 10. You need to find/create answers to the host’s questions based on how the character(s) act in the story.  Type your interview and print it out. (you can act this out/record it and present for +5) 

❑ PSA - Create a PSA poster about the social issue(s) in the book (bullying, abuse, depression, gun ownership,  equal rights, etc.). You can either make one by cutting and pasting information from magazines, or you can design one on the computer and print it. Include contact information (helpline number, website, etc.) (+5 for  presenting) 

Receive up to 10 points

❑ Comic Book –Write a comic book version of an important scene. Illustrate and color. 

❑ The Power of Music - Create an album using appropriate songs to depict an important character or scene from the book. Create a YouTube Playlist. You will need to have at least 5 songs and have descriptions of why you chose to include those songs and how it relates to the novel. (1-2 sentences per song) 

❑ Letter Author/Character- Write a letter to the author giving your opinion of the book and why, OR write a letter to a character. Give them advice and/or ask questions. (Needs to be 2 paragraphs) Remember to include all of the requirements for a letter. (Type it in MLA Style)

❑ Poetry (variety of point options) – Try your hand at poetry. Use figurative language like simile, metaphor,  personification, etc. to create a poem about something in the book. Write a paragraph explaining how it relates to the book. (5 pts. Poetry + 5 pts. Creativity + 5 extra if you speak it in front of the class) 

Receive up to 5 points

❑ Collage - Depict an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the book. Paste these pictures and words on a poster board and have a description for your decision to include the images and words you chose.  Be sure to explain how it relates to the story. (+5 for presenting) 

❑ Picture It –  Fold a piece of white paper into fourths or sixths. Draw pictures/words to depict an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the novel. Type in MLA Style one  paragraph for each drawing or word with an explanation about the choices you made. (+5 for presenting) 

❑ Setting/costume design – Draw or create a costume  design for 3 characters or 3 settings. Consider colors, shapes, layout, patterns, etc. when designing. Make sure they resemble the character’s attitude and traits for the costume. Be creative, you can use different mediums. (+5 for presenting)

Students entering 7th must read the two mandatory books below over the summer. The third book is optional. Then students must complete any of the activities provided. The activities for your second book must be different. All activities are due on the first day of school. 

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (mandatory read and activities)

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan (mandatory read and activities)

Creative Reports

Directions: Your goal for this project is to reach   25  points. You may only do one of each item (you cannot do 5 collages to meet your goal), but you may do more than one from any category (you CAN do a collage and a setting design). Your projects will be due on the first day of school.  Please ensure you know which activities you must present and prepare accordingly. Most importantly, have fun with this and be creative).  

Receive up to 25 points

❑ Music Video - Find an appropriate song that depicts an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the book. Create the music video. You can star in your video as one of the characters or you can include pictures, quotes, etc. In the video explain why you made certain decisions for the video/music and how it relates to the novel. You can either have descriptions

throughout the video at the bottom of the screen or have an interview-type review at the end

of the video. (2-4 minutes)

❑ One Page Summary -    The summary must include 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph must introduce characters, setting, and background. The next three paragraphs must explain 3 major events in chronological order. (Each event is a paragraph) The last paragraph will be your rating of the book and why. 

❑ Cereal Box –   On the front of the cereal box: create a new cover and explain the cover. On the back of the cereal box include 3 major events explained. On the sides of the cereal box include important quotes and characters with descriptions. (Please write and draw neatly)

Receive up to 20 points

❑ Dear Diary -  Type in MLA style each diary journal entry. Imagine you have entered the mind of one of the main characters. Write 3 diary entries from that character’s point of view. Keep i mind the character’s traits and voice when writing these entries

❑ Continue the Story/Alternative Ending - Pretty self-explanatory…create answers to your own questions that you may have about the future of the characters in the book. (one page typed in MLA Style)

❑ Timeline – Create an illustrated timeline of at least 10 important events from the story. Write a description of each event and draw and color illustrations for each (events need to be in the order in which they occur). (+5 for  presenting) (Your project must be neat and organized. Use rulers to help with neatness.

❑ Book in a bag – Choose 10 items that represent people, places, and events in the book. Place them in a bag.  Write a description of each item on index cards and how it relates to the book. Must be prepared to give an oral presentation.

Receive up to 15 points

❑ EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! – Create the front page of a newspaper/tabloid announcing an important event that took place in the story. Have pictures describing the events. Create a title for your newspaper/tabloid. 

❑ Talk Show Interview – Think Oprah, Dr. Phil, Live with Kelly and Mark. They interview people/families who may have had some type of tragedy in their lives.  Create an interview with characters that have conflict in the story. The “host” of your created talk show must ask 10. You need to find/create answers to the host’s questions based on how the character(s) act in the story.  Type your interview and print it out. (you can act this out/record it and present for +5) 

❑ PSA - Create a PSA poster about the social issue(s) in the book (bullying, abuse, depression, gun ownership,  equal rights, etc.). You can either make one by cutting and pasting information from magazines, or you can design one on the computer and print it. Include contact information (helpline number, website, etc.) (+5 for  presenting) 

Receive up to 10 points

❑ Comic Book –Write a comic book version of an important scene. Illustrate and color. 

❑ The Power of Music - Create an album using appropriate songs to depict an important character or scene from the book. Create a YouTube Playlist. You will need to have at least 5 songs and have descriptions of why you chose to include those songs and how it relates to the novel. (1-2 sentences per song) 

❑ Letter Author/Character- Write a letter to the author giving your opinion of the book and why, OR write a letter to a character. Give them advice and/or ask questions. (Needs to be 2 paragraphs) Remember to include all of the requirements for a letter. (Type it in MLA Style)

❑ Poetry (variety of point options) – Try your hand at poetry. Use figurative language like simile, metaphor,  personification, etc. to create a poem about something in the book. Write a paragraph explaining how it relates to the book. (5 pts. Poetry + 5 pts. Creativity + 5 extra if you speak it in front of the class) 

Receive up to 5 points

❑ Collage - Depict an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the book. Paste these pictures and words on a poster board and have a description for your decision to include the images and words you chose.  Be sure to explain how it relates to the story. (+5 for presenting) 

❑ Picture It –  Fold a piece of white paper into fourths or sixths. Draw pictures/words to depict an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the novel. Type in MLA Style one  paragraph for each drawing or word with an explanation about the choices you made. (+5 for presenting) 

❑ Setting/costume design – Draw or create a costume  design for 3 characters or 3 settings. Consider colors, shapes, layout, patterns, etc. when designing. Make sure they resemble the character’s attitude and traits for the costume. Be creative, you can use different mediums. (+5 for presenting)

Students entering 8th grade must read the two mandatory books below over the summer. The third book is optional. Then students must complete any of the activities provided. The activities for your second book must be different. All activities are due on the first day of school. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (mandatory read and activities)

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz (mandatory read and activities)

Creative Reports

Directions: Your goal for this project is to reach  30  points . You may only do one of each item (you cannot do 5 collages to meet your goal), but you may do more than one from any category (you CAN do a collage and a setting design). Your projects will be due on the first day of school.  Please ensure you know which activities you must present and prepare accordingly. Most importantly, have fun with this and be creative).  

Receive up to 25 points

❑ Music Video - Find an appropriate song that depicts an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the book. Create the music video. You can star in your video as one of the characters or you can include pictures, quotes, etc. In the video explain why you made certain decisions for the video/music and how it relates to the novel. You can either have descriptions

throughout the video at the bottom of the screen or have an interview-type review at the end

of the video. (2-4 minutes)

❑ One Page Summary -    The summary must include 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph must introduce characters, setting, and background. The next three paragraphs must explain 3 major events in chronological order. (Each event is a paragraph) The last paragraph will be your rating of the book and why. 

❑ Cereal Box –   On the front of the cereal box: create a new cover and explain the cover. On the back of the cereal box include 3 major events explained. On the sides of the cereal box include important quotes and characters with descriptions. (Please write and draw neatly)

Receive up to 20 points

❑ Dear Diary -  Type in MLA style each diary journal entry. Imagine you have entered the mind of one of the main characters. Write 3 diary entries from that character’s point of view. Keep i mind the character’s traits and voice when writing these entries

❑ Continue the Story/Alternative Ending - Pretty self-explanatory…create answers to your own questions that you may have about the future of the characters in the book. (one page typed in MLA Style)

❑ Timeline – Create an illustrated timeline of at least 10 important events from the story. Write a description of each event and draw and color illustrations for each (events need to be in the order in which they occur). (+5 for  presenting) (Your project must be neat and organized. Use rulers to help with neatness.

❑ Book in a bag – Choose 10 items that represent people, places, and events in the book. Place them in a bag.  Write a description of each item on index cards and how it relates to the book. Must be prepared to give an oral presentation.

Receive up to 15 points

❑ EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! – Create the front page of a newspaper/tabloid announcing an important event that took place in the story. Have pictures describing the events. Create a title for your newspaper/tabloid. 

❑ Talk Show Interview – Think Oprah, Dr. Phil, Live with Kelly and Mark. They interview people/families who may have had some type of tragedy in their lives.  Create an interview with characters that have conflict in the story. The “host” of your created talk show must ask 10. You need to find/create answers to the host’s questions based on how the character(s) act in the story.  Type your interview and print it out. (you can act this out/record it and present for +5) 

❑ PSA - Create a PSA poster about the social issue(s) in the book (bullying, abuse, depression, gun ownership,  equal rights, etc.). You can either make one by cutting and pasting information from magazines, or you can design one on the computer and print it. Include contact information (helpline number, website, etc.) (+5 for  presenting) 

Receive up to 10 points

❑ Comic Book –Write a comic book version of an important scene. Illustrate and color. 

❑ The Power of Music - Create an album using appropriate songs to depict an important character or scene from the book. Create a YouTube Playlist. You will need to have at least 5 songs and have descriptions of why you chose to include those songs and how it relates to the novel. (1-2 sentences per song) 

❑ Letter Author/Character- Write a letter to the author giving your opinion of the book and why, OR write a letter to a character. Give them advice and/or ask questions. (Needs to be 2 paragraphs) Remember to include all of the requirements for a letter. (Type it in MLA Style)

❑ Poetry (variety of point options) – Try your hand at poetry. Use figurative language like simile, metaphor,  personification, etc. to create a poem about something in the book. Write a paragraph explaining how it relates to the book. (5 pts. Poetry + 5 pts. Creativity + 5 extra if you speak it in front of the class) 

Receive up to 5 points

❑ Collage - Depict an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the book. Paste these pictures and words on a poster board and have a description for your decision to include the images and words you chose.  Be sure to explain how it relates to the story. (+5 for presenting) 

❑ Picture It –  Fold a piece of white paper into fourths or sixths. Draw pictures/words to depict an important theme, symbol, character, or scene from the novel. Type in MLA Style one  paragraph for each drawing or word with an explanation about the choices you made. (+5 for presenting) 

❑ Setting/costume design – Draw or create a costume  design for 3 characters or 3 settings. Consider colors, shapes, layout, patterns, etc. when designing. Make sure they resemble the character’s attitude and traits for the costume. Be creative, you can use different mediums. (+5 for presenting)

1st marking period
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullay Hunt

2nd marking period
Restart by Gordon Korman

3rd marking period
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne

4th marking period
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis

1st marking period
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

2nd marking period

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

3rd marking period
Prisoner B-3087  by Alan Gratz

4th marking period

1st marking period
Posted by John David Anderson

2nd marking period
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

3rd marking period
Night by Elie Wiesel

4th marking period