Monroe Township Public Schools
Charles M. Earling
Monroe Township Public Schools (856) 629-7444 FAX: 875-6757 www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us
Williamstown Middle School 561 Clayton Road Williamstown, New Jersey 08094
Superintendent
Dana R. Mericle Principal
Kathleen L. McKinney Assistant Principal
Donald E. Whirlow Assistant Principal
James W. Collins Assistant Principal
Dear Incoming Sixth Graders, We are excited to have you join us in the sixth grade in September and we’re looking forward to hearing about what you read over the summer. As you know, you must select one of the two books on the suggested reading list and read it over the summer break. When you come to our classes in September, we will set aside class time for you to write a letter essay about the book you read. Over the summer, to prepare you for writing the letter essay in September, be sure to take notes on the graphic organizer provided. You’ll need to have all of these notes available when you write your letter essay in class. We can’t wait to begin reading and thinking about literature with you in this seriousbut-friendly way. We’re looking forward to your first letter essay and a year of chances to learn from you, learn with you, and help you learn more about the power and pleasure of books. Fondly, The 6 Grade ELA Teachers th
All students are required to complete the summer reading as outlined. When students return to school they will finish the assignment with the guidance of their English Language Arts teacher. At that time, clarification will be made as to any changes in the final product.
Incoming 6 Graders th
Please choose one title to read over the summer. Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson (Lexile: 700) When Rafe Kane enters middle school, he teams up with his best friend, "Leo the Silent," to create a game to make school more fun by trying to break every rule in the school's code of conduct. Smile by Raina Telgemeier (Graphic Novel) An autobiography in graphic novel format describes how the author lost two of her front teeth in an accident when she was twelve, and her subsequent struggles with various corrective dental techniques throughout adolescence.
[Type here]
Name: _______________________________ Use this sheet to gather information in preparation for your letter essay. Title of Book
Author’s Full Name
RECOMMENDATION Recommendation of book (who would enjoy this book and why?): Be specific: Include something from the book that this person(s) would enjoy reading: The following are some possible questions to consider when recommending your novel to another person or group of people. -Was there a special part in the book that you know they would like or find interesting? -Was there an event that took place, a personal experience that this person or group can relate to? -Does this person enjoy this genre?
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ RATING What would you rate this book and why (discuss something specific): If you did not give it a 5, what would you change? If you did give it a 5, what did you like? (characters, problems, etc.)
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ Conflict: Explain a conflict (problem) the main character has during the novel.
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ Resolution: Explain how the main character’s conflict (problem) is resolved (solved).
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________
[Type here]
Theme (Lesson) Explain a theme (lesson) the main character learns in the novel:
Explain what happens in the novel that causes the character to learn this lesson.
Provide textual evidence (quote from the novel – copy word-for-word) and specific details that helped you understand this theme(lesson):
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ Setting Choose one setting from the novel and provide a vivid description:
Explain why this setting is important to the plot or character .
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)___________
[Type here]
Monroe Township Public Schools (856) 629-7444 FAX: 875-6757 www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us
Williamstown Middle School 561 Clayton Road Williamstown, New Jersey 08094
Superintendent
Dana R. Mericle Principal
Kathleen L. McKinney Assistant Principal
Donald E. Whirlow Assistant Principal
James W. Collins Assistant Principal
Dear Incoming Sixth Graders, We are excited to have you join us in the sixth grade in September and we’re looking forward to hearing about what you read over the summer. As you know, you must select one of the two books on the suggested reading list and read it over the summer break. When you come to our classes in September, we will set aside class time for you to write a letter essay about the book you read. Over the summer, to prepare you for writing the letter essay in September, be sure to take notes on the graphic organizer provided. You’ll need to have all of these notes available when you write your letter essay in class. We can’t wait to begin reading and thinking about literature with you in this seriousbut-friendly way. We’re looking forward to your first letter essay and a year of chances to learn from you, learn with you, and help you learn more about the power and pleasure of books. Fondly, The 6 Grade ELA Teachers th
All students are required to complete the summer reading as outlined. When students return to school they will finish the assignment with the guidance of their English Language Arts teacher. At that time, clarification will be made as to any changes in the final product.
Incoming 6 Graders th
Please choose one title to read over the summer. Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson (Lexile: 700) When Rafe Kane enters middle school, he teams up with his best friend, "Leo the Silent," to create a game to make school more fun by trying to break every rule in the school's code of conduct. Smile by Raina Telgemeier (Graphic Novel) An autobiography in graphic novel format describes how the author lost two of her front teeth in an accident when she was twelve, and her subsequent struggles with various corrective dental techniques throughout adolescence.
[Type here]
Name: _______________________________ Use this sheet to gather information in preparation for your letter essay. Title of Book
Author’s Full Name
RECOMMENDATION Recommendation of book (who would enjoy this book and why?): Be specific: Include something from the book that this person(s) would enjoy reading: The following are some possible questions to consider when recommending your novel to another person or group of people. -Was there a special part in the book that you know they would like or find interesting? -Was there an event that took place, a personal experience that this person or group can relate to? -Does this person enjoy this genre?
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ RATING What would you rate this book and why (discuss something specific): If you did not give it a 5, what would you change? If you did give it a 5, what did you like? (characters, problems, etc.)
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ Conflict: Explain a conflict (problem) the main character has during the novel.
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ Resolution: Explain how the main character’s conflict (problem) is resolved (solved).
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________
[Type here]
Theme (Lesson) Explain a theme (lesson) the main character learns in the novel:
Explain what happens in the novel that causes the character to learn this lesson.
Provide textual evidence (quote from the novel – copy word-for-word) and specific details that helped you understand this theme(lesson):
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)____________ Setting Choose one setting from the novel and provide a vivid description:
Explain why this setting is important to the plot or character .
Chapter(s)_____________ Page(s)___________
[Type here]
