9th Grade English Summer Reading
Congratulations! You’re on your way to high school, but before you embark on this journey,
you must continue to train and strengthen your reading and writing stamina throughout the
summer.
Reading Assignment: Read Tuesdays with Morrie
By Mitch Albom before September 2nd (or the 1st day
of school).
Writing Assignment: Write a 5-paragraph essay
responding to the attached prompt by September 9th.
Summary: Life is our greatest teacher, and life
sometimes gifts us with extraordinary individuals
that push us to overcome challenges and reach our
full potential. In Tuesdays with Morrie, we are
introduced to Morrie Schwartz, a man living his life
to the fullest; and his former student Mitch Albom, a
man so busy he has no idea what life actually is. After
a few too many years apart, Morrie and Mitch
reunite. Morrie teaches Mitch and the world his last lesson, how to live; even
though, ironically, he is dying.
Where can I get a copy of Tuesdays with Morrie?
 Sign-out your copy in Rm 215 during finals week. Books will be provided on
a first come, first serve basis. There aren’t enough copies for everyone.
 If you borrow a book and misplace it, you will be responsible for replacing it.
 Purchase a used book on www.amazon.com. Books are priced as low as $.50,
excluding shipping fees.
 Purchase the e-text version for your electronic device. The e-text version is
$7.50 on Kindle. Electronic devices will be allowed for educational purposes
in ENG-9.
 Visit your local Public Library to reserve your copy for free.
Questions? Concerns? Comments?
 Email Mrs. Powers @ rpowers@sayresd.org
 Visit our classroom webpage @
http://mrspowerseng.weebly.com/index.html
 Sign up for Remind101 notifications
Tuesdays with Morrie
ENG-9
Summer Writing Assignment
Prompt: An aphorism is a shortened saying about life; for example,
treat others the way you would like to be treated. For this essay, select at
least one of Morrie’s life lessons in Tuesdays with Morrie that INSPIRES
you or maybe changes your perspective. In 5 paragraphs, explain how
you and Mitch found truth in this aphorism. Include how you will apply
or continue to apply this aphorism to your life.
*A list of Morrie’s aphorisms are attached.
“As long as we can
love each other, and
remember the feeling
of love we had, we can
die without ever
really going away. All
the love you created
is still there. All
the memories are still
there. You live on-in
the hearts of everyone
you have touched and
nurtured while you
were here” (Albom
174).
Requirements:
 MLA Format- see attached for detailed formatting information.
o MLA Header (see attached)
o Typed: 5 paragraphs (at least 5 or more sentences per
paragraph), typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman
font.
o Handwritten: 5 paragraphs (College Ruled) front and back,
skip every other line. *ONLY LEGIBLE HANDWRITING WILL
BE GRADED.
 Due Date: Your essay will be due no later than September 9th,
2014. Points will be deducted for any essay received after
September 9th.
 Early submissions can be proofread by Mrs. Powers prior to a
final grade.
Summer Writing Format
I. Introduction


Hook us with an interesting quote, short story, or neat fact that relates to
Tuesdays with Morrie.
Introduce one of Morrie’s life lessons that really inspired you.
o Explain what it means
o How it may have changed your perspective or how it may have
affected you.
II. Body Paragraph #1:


What did Mitch or Morrie learn from the life lesson you selected?
Find evidence from the text that demonstrates that Mitch learned something
from this lesson. Include two specific examples (direct quotations) that
support your answer to the bolded question above.
III. Body Paragraph #2


Explain why you picked this aphorism? How did you find truth in this
aphorism? Can it relate to the real world in some way? Can others learn
something from this aphorism?
Explain using at least two examples.
IV. Body Paragraph #3



How can you apply this aphorism to your own life? How would you
teach others about this life philosophy (viewpoint)?
Include two specific examples that support your answer to the bolded
question above.
Explain how your examples relate to the aphorism or what you learned.
V. Conclusion


Restate what you and Mitch learned as a result of Morrie’s life lesson.
End your essay with a clincher- a statement that will help make your essay
memorable.
*For more help with organization, brainstorm using the essay map on
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives.
Link is provided on my webpage.
Summer Writing Rubric
Advanced (109)
Proficient (87-6)
Basic (5-4-3)
Minimal (2-1)
Content
The task was
completed and
evidence of
critical thinking is
evident.
The task was
completed.
All requirements
have been
fulfilled.
The task was
partially
completed or
completed
incorrectly.
The task was
attempted but
incorrect.
Development
Actively avoids
plot summary.
Uses direct
quotes and
examples.
Cohesively
expands upon
original ideas
with reasoning,
evidence and
details.
Avoids plot
summary. Uses
direct quotes and
examples.
Expands upon
original ideas
with reasoning,
evidence and
details.
Somewhat avoids
plot summary.
Uses examples
but does not
properly use
direct quotations.
Expands upon
ideas with some
evidence of
reasoning and a
few details.
Provides more of
a plot summary
versus insight.
Does not use
direct
quotes/textual
support. Needs to
be more detailed
and explain
reasoning.
Language
Uses consistently
precise, academic
language & a wide
variety of
sentence
structures &
transitional
expressions.
Precisely chooses
an appropriate
style, tone, and
point of view
Uses precise
language & a
variety of
sentence
structures &
transitional
expressions.
Chooses an
appropriate style,
tone, and point of
view.
Uses imprecise
language and a
limited variety of
sentence
structures. May
choose an
inappropriate
style or tone or
uses “texting
language.”
Limited
knowledge about
the use of
transitional
expressions.
Uses repetitious
language and
simple sentence
structures,
including many
run-on’s,
fragments, and
fused sentences.
Demonstrates no
understanding of
style, tone, and
point of view.
Organization
MLA Format
(Double-spaced,
12 pt. , Times
New Roman, MLA
Heading/Page
#’s). Properly
organized into an
Introduction,
Body Paragraphs
and Conclusion
MLA Format
(Double-spaced,
12 pt. , Times
New Roman, MLA
Heading/Page
#’s). Includes an
Introduction,
Body Paragraphs
and Conclusion
Minor errors with
MLA Format &
essay guidelines.
Although an
Introduction,
Body Paragraphs,
and a Conclusion
is present, they
are not accurately
organized.
Major flaws with
MLA format or
did not use MLA
format. Essay is
not organized
into an
introduction,
body paragraphs,
or a conclusion.
Conventions
Essay is easily
read &
understood by all
(spelling,
grammar, flow of
Uses precise
language .
Understood by
the reader.
Understandable
but the reader
experiences some
difficulty.
No easily
understood. Uses
informal
language.
This section assesses
whether or not you
accurately responded
to the writing prompt.
HINT- Use the Summer
Writing Format.
You are writing this
essay to impress your
9th grade English
teacher, and share
your insights about
TWM. Your writing
should sound formal,
look formal, and
contain formal
language.
response).