Dear Parents of Incoming Eighth Grade Students:

Reading is a key to success in all disciplines and builds vocabulary, prior knowledge, and connects us to the world around us.Reading can teach us about the world we live in or transport us to worlds of fantasy and imagination.As adults we must encourage our children to turn off the television and video games and read.

This summer your child will be required to read one of the novels on the Woodmere Middle School Summer Reading List and complete a few brief activities (attached).Students should be encouraged to read more than one title, but they are only required to complete the writing assignment for one title.The assignment asks students to consider the subject of the text before, during, and after they read.Students must hand in the assignment on Monday, September 8, 2008.They will be responsible for participating in a book talk with other students from the grade.Please note that the assignment can also be accessed on the intranet at www.hewlett-woodmere.net.

Please work to make reading a part of your culture at home.We encourage you to read one of the selections with your son/daughter and discuss the book with him/her.Every time we choose not to watch television, play video games, or spend time on the computer we allow for an opportunity to read.

Have a great summer!

Sincerely, 

The Eighth Grade Teachers

Name _________________________________________Date Completed _________________

Title:__________________________Author:____________________

 

Before Reading	During Reading
Look at the title, the blurb (summary) on the book jacket, and any pictures/graphics on the book.Based on this information, make five (5) predictions and/or write questions that you think will be answered while reading the text.	Questions/reactions that you have as you read.Include page number for each.Include at least five (5).
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After Reading

As a reader, what do you think are the most important issues in this text?Think about five (5)events or situations that are repeated throughout the text.Be specific!(For example, think of decisions characters make, or relationships, conflicts, messages, etc.)

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Look at the issues that you identified in the reading.Find two different quotes that relate to at least two different issues that you identified.Include the authors.(Try http://www.quotationspage.com/ , http://www.quoteland.com/ , www.wisdomquotes.com , www.brainyquote.com or any other of the many quotation pages online.Also, books of famous quotations can be found at the library.)