Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
The House of the Scorpion By Nancy Farmer
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
Dear Parents of ECISD English Pre-AP students,
As this school year comes to a close, the middle school English teachers here in the Edinburg C.I.S.D. would like to let you know that we have your child’s education in mind when we make decisions about summer reading assignments. We understand how important it is for students to develop a love of reading as part of their intellectual growth and future success.
We have high expectations for all our students, but especially for our pre-AP students. Pre-AP classes help prepare students for the rigorous, yet rewarding academic challenges they will face when they enter high school and, later, college. Students need to develop a sense of responsibility and dedication to work to ensure their success—now and for the future.
In order to help develop your child’s independent reading skills and critical thinking skills, we require all 6 th grade pre-AP, 7th grade pre-AP, and 8th grade English I pre-AP students to read an assigned novel during the summer months. Students will also be required to complete an assignment over their reading and may be assessed over the novel through tests, essays, and class activities at the beginning of the school year.
All students registered for 6th grade English pre-AP, 7th grade English pre-AP, and English I Pre-AP for the 2016-2017 school year MUST read the assigned novel and complete the corresponding assignment during the summer.
The Summer Reading Assignment is due by the end of the first school week in August 29, 2016 with the exam on August 30, 2016
Thank you,
ECISD Middle School Pre-AP English teachers
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
Summer Reading Assignment: 1 Essay and Comic Strip Activity
After reading the novel, The House of the Scorpion, you will write a character analysis on the protagonist, Matt. Summaries will not be accepted.
This essay must be TYPED (double spaced, Times New Roman Font and 12 size font) and must be 1 ½ pages long. A cover page will also be required.
Students must use examples from the book to write their essays. Please refer to the essay portion of this packet for further explanation of your assignment. A writing rubric has also been provided for assistance.
Students will also be required to complete a graphic illustration activity. This page must be colorful and neat with direct references to the novel.
Both assignments must be submitted in a folder with brackets.
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016 The House of the Scorpion Essay Portion
1.) Read and study The Seven Types of Heroes page. Become familiar with them as you will need these notes to evaluate Matt’s character.
2.) After reading the novel, you will write an essay connecting Will to ONLY ONE of these seven hero types.
WRITE: Based upon what you read about Matt in the novel, The House of the Scorpion, choose the one hero type that Matt best represents and write an essay explaining why he fits into this particular hero type.
Make sure to use specific examples and situations in the story to clearly explain why he fits into this one hero category. Think about – Matt’s actions throughout the novel How Matt reacts to certain situations Matt’s thoughts and emotions throughout the novel
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
The Seven Types of Heroes (Remember to only choose ONE when writing about Matt)
1. The Chief: The chief is a dynamic leader. He has time for nothing but work. He might have been born to lead, or perhaps he fought his way to the top. He’s tough, good at decision making, and completely focused on his task. Because the hero is so goal- oriented, he can be a bit overbearing and stubborn. 2. The Bad Boy: He is dangerous to know and likes to walk on the wild side. This is the rebel, or the boy from the bad side of town. He is rude and violent with an anger that is always ready to come out at any given moment. This hero may have a sweet side but it is a rare thing to see. It has to be someone really special to make him into the hero he is to become. 3. The Best Friend: He is sweet and safe. He never lets anyone down. Kind, responsible, decent, and a regular guy would be used to describe this protagonist. He does not enjoy fighting and people will sometimes take advantage of his sweetness. He does not like to hurt anyone’s feelings but will fight for someone they absolutely love. 4. The Lost Soul: This is a sensitive protagonist. He has had a bad childhood so he is secretive and brooding. He can be very unforgiving, almost mean in character. There is an air of mystery about this hero. He might be an outcast or a loner. This character does not like to work with others and keeps to himself. 5. The Professor : This is a highly intelligent protagonist. This protagonist is so smart, it almost seems like he has no emotion. He looks at everything in a very observant way and doesn’t like to get emotions involved. He may not have a lot of friends, even though his feelings are genuine. He likes cold, hard facts but can also be honest and faithful to the few friends he does have. He is also a go-getter and will not let you down in a tough situation. 6. The Swashbuckler: This character is ALL about adventure. This guy is action, action, and more action. He’s physical and daring. He loves to take risks and explore anything that comes his way. He needs thrills and excitement in his life or he will be really bored. Danger is his name and having the time of his life is his game. 7. The Warrior: The warrior is a noble champion. He acts with honor and is respectful. He can sometimes hesitate about taking on a mission but will come out as a knight in shining armor. He’s brave and always sticks up for those weaker than him. If you need a protector, this is your guy. He doesn’t buckle under stress and will keep going even when it seems like he won’t succeed.
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
Essay Rubric
1 2 3 4 5 Does Not Meet Does Not Fully Meet Meets More Than Meets Exceeds CONTENT Writing does not Writing attempts to Writing makes Writing makes the Writing makes an connect Will with connect Will to one the connection connection from insightful, any of the seven of the hero types but from Will to one Will to one of the extremely well- hero types. does not fully of the hero types hero types and developed goes into detail connection from explain. and uses some using Will to one of the valid examples direct examples hero types. The from the novel. from the novel. explanation is clear and detailed. ORGNIZATION Writing is Writing is Writing is Writing includes a Writing is strong disorganized and disorganized. organized and strong introduction throughout the completely Transitions are weak fairly focused. with strong essay and is confusing with no and ineffective. Transitions are reasoning and carefully effective organized. direction. adequate. There transitions. There Includes smooth is a sense of is a strong sense of transitions, and closure. closure. insightful commentary. VOCABULARY/ Careless or Language is okay but Uses a variety in Purposeful and Highly effective WORD CHOICE inaccurate word is flat and has little word choice to effective word and engaging use choice, which variety. make the writing choice that makes of word choice, confuses meaning. clear. writing interesting. including figurative language. VOICE Writer’s voice / Writer’s voice/ point Writer’s Writer has strong Writes with a point of view shows of view shows that voice/point of voice/point of DISTINCT, view. Writing UNIQUE voice no sense of sense of audience is view shows an not too clear. understanding of engages audience. that is clearly audience. There is engaging to the no sense of the specific audience. author’s audience. personality. SENTENCE Many run-ons (no Occasional run-ons Uses simple, Has more complex Consistent variety FLUENCY periods) or or fragments but is compound and and compound of sentences. fragments. Is very manageable when it complex complex sentences. Excellent sentence confusing to read. comes to reading. sentences. Some Few errors in structure sentence throughout essay. errors in construction. sentence construction. CONVENTIONS Too many errors in Occasional errors in Few errors in Uses mostly Almost no errors in grammar mechanics grammar mechanics grammar correct punctuation, (punctuation, (punctuation, mechanics. punctuation, capitalization and capitalization, capitalization, Verb agreement capitalization, and spelling. spelling. Consistent verb spelling) spelling) okay. Consistent verb usage Graphic Illustration Activity usage.
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
Instructions: Draw a graphic illustration of one conflict (internal or external) that Matt deals with in the novel. You must also include how the conflict is resolved. Make sure that you use appropriate details from the book. You may use dialogue and thinking clouds in your illustration to add life to your characters and your scene. This must be NEATLY drawn and it must be COLORED. Only quality work will be accepted (NO stick figures.) This assignment must be completed using tag board. Laminating is optional.
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD Middle School Summer Reading Pre-Advanced Placement 7th Grade English 2016
Summer Reading Student/Parent Agreement
Student By signing below, I am indicating that I fully understand my responsibilities for summer reading and related assignments. I also guarantee to be ready to meet these expectations by the end of the first week of school, August 29, 2016.
School attended in 2015-2016: ______
Name of English teacher (2015-2016): ______
Printed Student Name: ______
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
Parent By signing below, I indicate an awareness and understanding of my child’s responsibilities for summer reading. I also support my child’s efforts to fulfill his/her classroom expectations and be prepared by the end of the first week of school, August 29, 2016.
Parent Signature: ______Date: ______
Please Note: Summer reading is REQUIRED for all students who will be taking Pre-AP/GT English classes during the 2016-2017 school year.
Advanced Academics ~ Gifted Education EDINBURG CISD