Wiley H. Bates Summer Reading 2015
For Rising 7th and 8th grade students
This summer you will be expected to read at least four books of your choosing in preparation for the start of
the 2014-2015 school year. An effective way to choose books you will enjoy is to select from the Summer
Reading list approved by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools in conjunction with the public library
system. This list is available at any library and online at http://www.aacpl.net/srcresources. You may also
enjoy books listed as Black Eyed Susan Book nominees (lists for this and the previous year are attached).
You will be expected to create an artifact about each book you read.
The Language Arts teachers would like to encourage you to take advantage of a Summer Reading Meeting
Place. Teachers are eager to meet with you during the summer in various locations to talk about books, help
you select a “good read” and work with you on your artifacts. Expect a phone call or email updating you about
reading meeting locations. You may also bring completed artifacts to school during the summer and ask for
them to be placed in Mr. McCann’s mailbox. Each artifact should be clearly and neatly labeled with your full
name and the grade you are entering in August 2015. All work will be distributed to the appropriate language
arts teacher.
The purpose of this summer reading assignment is to keep your skills sharpened over the summer so that we
may begin the new school year with well-prepared students. Research suggests that reading four books
minimizes summer learning loss. This will be your first homework assignment grade for the new school year.
There is another benefit to creating your artifacts since they will be based on books you selected and enjoyed - these will be posted on the classroom walls as the first peer recommendations for your new year.
Summer Reading Meeting Place
West Street Library
Stanton Center
Bates Media Center
Date and Time
July 22, 1-3 pm. August 5, 1-3 pm.
July 16, 20 8-10 am.
July 8, 1-3 pm.
Summer Reading FAQ
Do I have to do this?
Yes, of course. This is not an optional assignment. These artifacts will count as your first grade of the
2015-2016 school year. You probably want to impress your new teacher by starting the year on the right foot.
What books should I read?
You can read whatever books your want. There is no mandatory list. Fiction, non-fiction, graphic
novels – whatever you want is fine by us. We have provided lists from the public library and the Black Eyed
Susan award in order to give you a starting point. Pick any four books you like!
How many books do I have to read?
You should read at least four books this summer.
Four books? That’s a hike. Why do I have to read that much?
I’m going to answer your question with a question. Did you know that if you don’t read over the
summer, your reading level can drop by almost an entire grade level? That means that if you left 7th grade
reading on grade level, you could start a whole level behind as you start 8 th grade!
What projects do I have to do?
There are many choices for you. Choose what you like from the projects we have listed on the next
page.
What if I don’t like those projects?
Fair enough – if you have better ideas than the projects listed in this packet, go ahead and be creative!
Can I do the same artifact for more than one book?
Sure. Why not?
This FAQ doesn’t answer my questions.
That makes sense. Email McCann at mfmccann@aacps.org
Artifact
Summary Focus
Novel Thinking Map: Create a flow map of major events
OR a multi-flow map showing how the conflict affected the
plot (did the conflict create the character, change the
character, make it suspenseful, etc.) Make sure to include:
 Book title and author’s name.
 Flow map of events with parts of plot labelled (5
parts minimum).
o OR – multi-flow map with specific text
details (Minimum of 2 causes and 2 effects).
 Respond to the frames question: How do the
conflicts or events make this a good book to read?
Informational Thinking Map: Create a Thinking Map that
expresses the information in the book (map will depend on
the topic and the way the author organizes facts)
 Book title and author’s name
 Thinking Map with minimum 5 boxes
 Frame: Explain how the author organizes the facts
Persuasive Focus
Persuasive Paragraph: advocate for a Book Club to select
your book. The paragraph must include:
 Book title and author’s name
 Clear and specific claim (I think…)
 Two arguments to back your claim
 Three quotes from the book to support the arguments
(narrative/novel or informational book)
Choices
Summary Focus
Narrative/Novel One Pager: Provides a summary of the
novel plot that includes:
 Book title and author’s name
 Three or more events
 Main character’s name and description
 Explanation of the major conflict
 Explains how the conflict was resolved
Informational One Pager: provides an overview of the
information and key ideas from the text
 Includes a clear statement of the text main idea
 Includes two or more supporting details from the text
 Includes a graphic representation (some kind of
drawing or illustration)and a text feature that enhances
the reader’s understanding of the article
Character Focus
Character Interview: Choose one character (human or
non-human) and imagine you could interview him/her. How
would s/he respond? Your questions and responses must
demonstrate an understanding of the character.
 Book title and author name
 Introductory sentences that include character name
and role in the novel or informational text
 3 questions and 3 appropriate responses
 Each response is a minimum of 2 sentences
(novel/narrative book or informational text)
Design Focus
Create a book jacket, like what protects a hardcover book.
Create a front and back cover for your book that helps to
urge a reader to pick up the book. Your cover should
incorporate good elements of design. It should also
summarize the book.
Artistic Focus
Create your own artistic expression of the novel using your
fantastic arts talent. Make sure to include a one paragraph
artist statement. Some options include:
 Character portraits
 Song composition
 Visual Journal
 Act out scenes from the book
You can feel free to customize this project.
Creative Writing Focus
Compose an original work that summarizes, reacts to, and
extends the text in some way. Ideas include:
 Prequel or sequel (write the story that happens before or
after the book)
 Missing chapter (write chapter 22.5, for instance, to fill in
any gaps you want covered in your book)
 Perspective switch (write part of the book from another
character’s perspective)
Social Focus
Create a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram feed for your
favorite character from this book. Have fun letting
characters interact in your created world. Aim for ten posts,
tweets, or grams. Work to make your page look like the real
thing.