There are two books that you will be required to read this summer before returning to school in August. You will also find the assignments attached for each novel listed below. The work is not difficult, but it was designed to make you think. Please make sure you have each book completed by the beginning of the new school year. Having these books read will benefit you greatly, because we will be using these books in class for several weeks and we will refer to them throughout the year.
Reading List:
- Dragonwings by: Laurence Yep
- Last Lecture by: Randy Pausch
Requirement for each novel
- Vocabulary: List ten words you learned from your reading. Define each according to the context of the sentence and write the sentence in which you found it and the page that sentence was on.
Putting the vocabulary in a notebook and then using that same notebook for literature.
Dragonwings
Compose a short story as if you are leaving your home for a new one. You may take only one small suitcase with you. Where would you go? What items would you take with you? Who would you want to accompany you on this journey? Why would you want to go to this new place? How would you feel about leaving home?
This story must be at least one paged typed or two pages hand written. Make sure that you answer all of the questions listed above in your essay.
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The Last Lecture
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This first part of the assignment is not a written one, but a thinking one. What did you learn from this novel about life? How will you apply what you have learned and use it to make your eighth grade year as rewarding as possible. Make sure you have detailed answers to these two questions, because we will be discussing this topic in detail the first few days of school. (You will receive a grade for your class participation in discussion).
- Pick one story that Randy Pausch tells in this novel and write a one
page essay about why that particular story has significance for
you. Then explain why and how it may help you in the future.
The deadline for all assignments is Thursday, August 28, 2008.
Grades for these assignments will be for both English and Literature. You are expected to incorporate all that you have learned throughout the years into these assignments. Vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, handwriting, and clarity of expression are all components that will be evaluated. If you do your best work, it will be a great start for what is bond to be a great year!!!!!
COPIES OF THIS PACKET ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT ST. JOAN OF ARC, SUMMER READING LINK, GRADE EIGHT.
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